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Nitrous Oxide /
Conscious Sedation
I.V. Sedation /
Outpatient General
Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may
know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous
oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing
mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to
relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy
of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very
safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental
needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal
breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is
non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child
remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Prior to your appointment:
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Please inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or
medical condition.
-
Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing
through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the
effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
-
Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day
of the appointment.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children,
very young children, and children with special 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. The doctor 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 drugs we plan to give to your
child.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or
medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with
a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill,
contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the
appointment.
-
You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is
currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in
medical history.
-
Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable
clothing.
-
Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom
immediately prior to arriving at the office.
-
Your child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours
prior to their sedation appointment and only clear liquids for
up to 4 hours before the appointment.
-
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office
during the complete procedure.
-
Please watch your child closely while the medication is taking
effect. Hold them in your lap or keep close to you. Do not let
them "run around."
-
Your child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at
first.
After the sedation appointment:
-
Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very
closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with
their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them
to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At
first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to
prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily
digestible.
-
If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head
to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Because we use local anesthetic to numb your child’s mouth
during the procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite
or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and
scratch their face after treatment. Please observe your child
carefully to prevent any injury to these areas.
-
Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you
might have.
I.V. Sedation
I.V. Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very
young children, and children with special needs that would not
work well under conscious sedation. The dentist performs the
dental treatment in our office with the child anesthetized under
I.V. sedation, which is administered and monitored by an
anesthesiologist.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or
medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with
a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill,
contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the
appointment.
-
You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is
currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in
medical history.
-
Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable
clothing.
-
Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom
immediately prior to arriving at the office.
-
Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight
prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY
(water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the
appointment.
-
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office
during the complete procedure.
After the sedation appointment:
-
Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very
closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with
their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them
to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At
first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to
prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily
digestible.
-
If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head
to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you
might have.
Outpatient General Anesthesia
Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive
children, very young children, and children with special needs
that would not work well under conscious sedation or I.V.
sedation. General anesthesia renders your child completely
asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their
tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is
performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. While the
assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options,
if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment
this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric
medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the
range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the
assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if
this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for
physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional
and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their
dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain,
infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their
developing adult teeth and possible life threatening
hospitalization from a dental infection.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not
bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or
cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is
necessary to postpone the appointment.
-
You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is
currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in
medical history.
-
Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable
clothing.
-
Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight
prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY
(water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the
appointment.
-
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the
hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete
procedure.
After the appointment:
-
Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very
closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
-
If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with
their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them
to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At
first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to
prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily
digestible.
-
If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head
to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be
given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and an
emergency contact number if needed.
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