Sedation Dentistry Q & A
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a technique used to help your child relax during a dental treatment. If your child has high levels of anxiety or can't cooperate while in the dental chair, the dentists at Upper East Pediatric Dentistry offer medications to reduce their discomfort or anxiety.
Sedation dentistry is different from anesthesia because it doesn’t render your child unconscious or unresponsive. A variety of medications are used for sedation of varying degrees, from mild sedation that merely relaxes your child to a more moderate medication that makes your child drowsy.
After discussing your child’s specific needs and the nature of the procedure with you, the dentists recommend the best selection.
Why use sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is used to ensure the safety and comfort of young patients who suffer from anxiety. It’s also ideal for children who are too young to understand what’s happening and, understandably, don’t cooperate in the chair as a result.
In addition to improving your child’s experience, sedation dentistry helps your child to relax and prevents fidgeting or sudden movements that can make a dental procedure challenging.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
The dentists at Upper East Pediatric Dentistry are trained and experienced in using sedation services to help their young patients feel comfortable. They strictly adhere to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, which are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your child.
The dental team discusses the options with you beforehand to ensure that you understand both the medications and the procedure so that you make an informed decision.
Will my child need special care after sedation dentistry?
After treatment, you and your child may need to wait at the office until the sedation wears off and the dentist is satisfied that your child is stable and ready to go. Children recover at different rates, so there’s no average recovery time.
Once you go home, you’ll need to keep an eye on your child until he or she is fully recovered from the sedation medication. The team at Upper East Pediatric Dentistry provides you with specific aftercare instructions related to the dental work and the sedation.
If your child can benefit from sedation dentistry, call Upper East Pediatric Dentistry or book an appointment online.
