Blue Coral Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics: Sedation Dentistry

Pediatric Sedation

Sedation dentistry is used when children are scared, have strong gag reflexes, have medical conditions, or special needs, or are unable to sit for one reason or another. Varying levels of dental sedation, carefully administered will aid relaxation and allow dental care to be performed.

You have many options to manage your child’s dental treatment experience. Each option comes with its own risks and benefits. The information below will help you understand the various treatment options Blue Coral Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers.

Types of Sedation

Blue Coral Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics doctors and staff will talk with you about all options and make recommendations to ensure your child is safe and comfortable.

Local Anesthesia

It is common to use local anesthesia to either restore or remove teeth. This involves injecting a local anesthetic (lidocaine), via a small needle, into the affected area. This option is best for children who are willing to get an injection. Lidocaine can be combined with nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation for younger children who are afraid to get injected.

Nitrous Oxide

This type of sedation works well with children with mild anxiety who are willing to undergo the treatment. This is a good option for children with minimal work to be done. For children with more complex treatment needs, multiple visits may be required to look at other options. Children with treatments lasting half an hour or less will be most likely to benefit from nitrous oxide. For children aged 4 and over, this gas can be used to perform minor fillings or surgeries.

Conscious Oral

Anesthesia that puts people to sleep is not recommended for children. We use oral conscious sedation. Your child will still be awake. Children over three years old who need local anesthesia or whose treatment takes more than 30 minutes are often given oral sedation. Our goal is for your child to feel comfortable in the dental room. Children with severe asthma should not be given conscious oral sedation.

General Anesthesia

All your child’s treatments can be done in one visit, under general anesthesia performed at Lurie Children’s Hospital with Dr. Erin Petrik. Dr. Erin has privileges to work in the surgical unit at the hospital. She is able to see children with a more complex medical history that requires dental treatment that would not be possible to see in an office setting. Dr. Erin has many years of experience and something. The entire procedure is performed while your child is asleep. This is the same method used to remove tonsils from children.

Sedation Dentistry