At Creative Kids, we offer an array of sedation options to make sure your child feels comfortable and safe while receiving their dental treatment at our Winston-Salem practice.
We understand that you may be anxious about sedation dentistry for your little one. Here's what you can expect during your child's sedation consultation.
First, Dr. Annie will explain the sedation options available and recommend the best course of treatment for your child. Make sure to tell Dr. Annie if your child has any breathing problems, allergies, or any medical conditions that may interfere with the sedation.
General anesthesia offers a compassionate, efficient alternative for those who cannot maintain or receive traditional dental care in office. Some patients who are medically compromised are more safely managed in a hospital setting, especially for more complex needs. During general anesthesia, your child is completely asleep and unconscious while all of their dental work is completed safely in one visit. If you believe hospital dentistry is the best fit for your child, please inform our Winston-Salem team.
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety in children during dental procedures. It is a safe, sweet-smelling gas that your child will breathe in and out through their nose. Laughing gas only takes a few minutes to take effect and helps your child feel calm and relaxed to complete minimally invasive dental treatment.
Most children are candidates for Nitrous Oxide. However, certain patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), uncontrolled asthma, or MFTHFR gene may not be candidates for nitrous oxide.
Oral conscious sedation is a method of sedation where your child drinks a liquid sedative that takes 30-60 minutes to take effect prior to beginning dental treatment. It is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special health care needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.
There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Annie will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific medications we plan to give to your child.
A thorough medical history and behavior assessment will be done at your initial exam to determine if sedation is right for your child. Contact us to learn more about sedation options at our Winston-Salem pediatric practice. We can discuss any concerns you may have during a consultation.
