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Pediatric Sedation Dentistry

Dr. Sean, is recognized as the kids sedation dentist in Colorado Springs and understands that every child's response to dental visits is different and their needs varies from time to time. Always our primary objective is to alleviate dental anxiety and enhance your child's comfort during every appointment. To achieve this, we provide a range of pediatric sedation options and possess the required training, expertise, and equipment to ensure your child's safety while prioritizing their comfort.

For many children, the use of laughing gas or nitrous oxide alone is sufficient to facilitate treatment, and the need for deeper sedation is unnecessary. However, we offer various sedation methods tailored to your child's individual needs and preferences.

During the consultation appointment, we will thoroughly discuss the available treatment options with you, taking into account your child's specific requirements and circumstances. Our goal is to collaborate with you to create a customized treatment plan that optimizes your child's comfort and promotes a positive dental experience.

When your child undergoes a complex dental procedure such as a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery, opting for sedation dentistry ensures their comfort and safety throughout the treatment process. Following the completion of the sedation dental procedure, your child will have no recollection of the duration of the procedure, any discomfort, noise, or pain involved.

We take pride in offering your child the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry, ensuring a positive and stress-free experience. Pediatric dental patients who benefit from sedation dentistry typically experience:

  • A fear or anxiety of dental visits: Sedation dentistry helps alleviate the fear or anxiety associated with dental appointments, allowing children to feel calm and relaxed throughout the procedure.  
  • Difficulty sitting still for long durations: Some children may find it challenging to sit still for extended periods during dental treatments. Sedation helps them remain comfortable and cooperative, facilitating the completion of the procedure without discomfort.
  • Have a strong gag reflex: Pediatric dental patients who have a strong gag reflex can benefit significantly from sedation dentistry. This reflex can make it challenging for them to tolerate certain dental procedures, leading to discomfort and difficulty during treatment. Sedation helps suppress the gag reflex, allowing the dental team to perform necessary procedures more effectively and comfortably for the child.
  • A hard time getting numb from anesthetics: Children may have a hard time getting and staying numb from local anesthetics. Sedation dentistry ensures they are at ease and pain-free during the entire process, regardless of their response to anesthesia.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your pediatric dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for children who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

  • No memory of undergoing the procedure
  • No sense of time while under sedation
  • No sense of smell or sound
  • No fear or anxiety during treatment

Levels of Sedation

Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law, and there are three sedative states at which your child's dentist can administer treatment: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.

  • Mild Sedation — Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for children with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Mild sedation is usually administered orally. Your child will remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and will be able to breathe normally, but he or she will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is another form of mild to moderate sedation that results in relaxation during treatment.
  • Moderate Sedation — Used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures, often refered to as moderate conscious sedation. With conscious sedation, your child will remain awake throughout the procedure, but will be in a deep state of relaxation.
  • Deep Sedation — Patients receiving deep sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their dental procedure. Patients often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the procedure.

How are sedatives administered?

  • Inhalation — Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so your child can resume normal activities immediately.
  • Oral — An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. It is easy and does not require the use of needles. Your child will be given a prescription pill which, taken about an hour before the appointment, will have your child fully relaxed by the time you arrive at our office.

Please contact our dental practice at 719-598-5437 to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for your child.

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