Pediatric Sedation Dentistry provided by Dr. David Raphael
, Dr. Patricia Peirano
, and Dr. Jennifer Dole in Portland, OR at Portland Children's Dentistry
Pediatric Sedation Dentistry
Portland, OR
Your child may require dental treatment to get rid of infection and pain at any age. At Portland Children's Dentistry, we do our best to make sure your child is free of anxiety and comfortable. However, sometimes, it may be required to administer sedation to your child for the treatment. There are many reasons for this: your child may be prone to a high degree of anxiety, they may twitch or move during the treatment, or the procedure is extensive. With sedation dentistry, your child will have the most pain-free and comfortable dental experience.
Types of Sedations: What are Your Options?
Here are the most common sedation options offered at Portland Children's Dentistry.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedatives are in the form of oral pills that need to be taken by your child a few hours before the procedure begins. These sedatives do not put the child to sleep but help them relax.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a mild sedative that your child will need to inhale through a mask. The gas is mixed with oxygen and keeps your child calm and relaxed during the procedure. Your child may feel lightheaded but they typically will not go to sleep. Once the procedure is completed, we will administer oxygen to your child that will dissipate any lingering effects of nitrous oxide.
Moderate Sedation
Moderate sedation allows your child to become relaxed and calm, which may make them slightly drowsy. However, they will still be able to follow any instructions we give them. Older children are better candidates for moderate sedation than younger children since they can breathe on their own and wake up easily.
Typically, your child will not remember the details of the procedure and may feel slightly lightheaded after the procedure is complete.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous sedation, also known as deep sedation, can help your child relax to the point of sleep. However, they can still be woken by a light shake and can move a little. In addition, they will also be able to breathe on their own.
During this sedation, there will always be a qualified medical professional like an anesthesiologist who will be monitoring your child’s vitals during the process until the IV is removed from them. When your child wakes up, they may not recall the dental procedure. In addition, they may also take a while to recover from the effects of the anesthesia.
General Anesthesia
Under this type of sedation, your child will be completely pain-free and sound asleep. Anesthesiologists will administer the sedative to your child and will monitor their breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during the procedure. This form of anesthesia is only given to people who have to undergo extensive, invasive dental treatment.
What to Do Before Sedation?
One way to make sure your child has the best possible dental treatment is to prepare them for the procedure beforehand. Here is what you can do:
| • |
Do not give your child solid food a few hours before the surgery.
|
| • |
Dress your child in loose-fitting and comfortable clothes.
|
| • |
Remember to give your child any medication that we prescribed.
|
| • |
Keep us informed of any medical condition your child has or any OTC or prescription medication your child takes.
|
| • |
To make sure they are extra comfortable, bring their favorite toy or allow them to listen to hands-free music. |
What to Do After Sedation?
Your child may feel groggy, nauseous, and uncoordinated after the procedure. These are all normal sedation side effects. To get rid of these effects, your child will need special care and rest after the procedure:
| • |
Monitor your child after the procedure.
|
| • |
Give them liquid and soft foods like warm soup, applesauce, pureed vegetables, and smoothies.
|
| • |
Give them plenty of water to drink.
|
| • |
If there is any swelling from the surgery, place an ice pack on the side of their face. |
Is Child Sedation Safe?
At Portland Children's Dentistry, the safety of your child is our highest concern. When performed by qualified and experienced dentists like Dr. David Raphael and Dr. Patricia Peirano, sedation dentistry is very safe.
We will make sure to review your child's medical history before administering any sedatives. During the procedure, qualified professionals will keep an eye on your child to make sure the procedure goes smoothly.
Now that you understand how sedation dentistry for kids works, we recommend you bring your child in if they have any dental issues or pain. Schedule an appointment by calling (503) 893-2889 today.
|
