Sedation
Children who are very young or who have a high level of anxiety that interferes with the cooperation necessary for the dentist to perform treatment may require some level of sedation. Sedation is also helpful for special needs children. There are many safe and effective drugs available today that can help relax the child and promote a good environment for optimal and safe dental treatment.
Conscious sedation is an option for children who are mildly apprehensive. This highly effective method can be administered in oral form or in an inhalation method using nitrous oxide (N20-02).
General Anesthesia is sometimes necessary for children that are unable, by either age or maturity level, to cooperate during dental treatment. Our practice utilizes certified anesthesiologists at an approved Non-Hospital Surgical Suite for the majority of these cases, for those patients with serious health complications who require General Anesthesia the cases will be performed at the Chinook Regional hospital Operating Room. This will be discussed with the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the patient before treatment to ensure the optimum beneficial outcome.
Sedation dentistry is most helpful for:
- very young children
- Children who require major treatment
- A very anxious child
- Children that have had traumatic dental experiences (sound and smell aversion)
- Children with a strong gag reflex
- Children who are medically compromised or have special needs