Jefferson City Dental Care provides sedation options when needed for our young patients.
Here are answers to the most frequent questions about pediatric sedation dentistry.
Is sedation safe for kids?
Oral sedation and IV sedation are safe for children when administered by experienced professionals. Certified pediatric dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and anesthesiologists are trained to administer anesthesia to children.
At Jefferson City Dental Care, we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) sedation guidelines.
Why is sedation used in children’s dentistry?
If a child is especially fearful, the dentist may not be able to administer treatment. Some multi-procedure visits take several hours. And despite a dentist’s best efforts with localized painkillers, many procedures are quite painful. Tooth extraction or filling a large cavity, for example.
What can parents do to make sure all goes well?
1. Follow pre-op and post-op instructions to the letter. This includes restricting food and drinks prior to the treatment. Be thorough when reporting your child’s medical history. Make sure you tell Dr. Johnson which medications your child is taking.
If your son or daughter undergoes IV sedation, make sure you have two adults on the trip home. One adult can drive while the other monitors the child. Watch your child closely for several hours. Make sure they have only liquids or soft foods. If your son or daughter starts vomiting, gets a fever, complains of severe pain, has unusual bleeding, contact us immediately.
What types of sedation are used?
The type of sedation will depend on the specific treatment(s), length of visit, and your son or daughter’s age, personality, and medical history.
There are two main types of sedation.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedatives help most patients achieve deeper relaxation. They aren’t designed to bring about complete unconsciousness.
IV Sedation
IV sedation produces actual “sleep dentistry.” Most children are completely oblivious to the treatment performed. IV sedation is helpful for root canals, extractions, and other types of oral surgery.
Get Your Child The Dental Treatment They Need
Avoiding the dentist is risky. Especially if you know your child has decay or other problems. Children don’t “get over” a dental problem like they can get over a cold.
Don’t delay treatment because your youngster is nervous. Schedule a consultation and we’ll work with you and your son or daughter to create a treatment plan.
We will make sure your child is safe and comfortable during the initial exam and throughout the treatment process. We’ve helped many nervous kids get the dental treatment they need.
Contact Jefferson City Dental Care:
573-634-2400
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3551 Amazonas Dr
Jefferson City, Missouri
65109
