Nitrous Oxide
Conscious Sedation
I.V. Sedation
General Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are administered 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:
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 .
There is no eating or drinking 3 hours
prior to the dental appointment epically dairy.
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 et them "run around."
Your child will act drowsy and may become
slightly excited at first.
After the sedation appointment:
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.
Prior to leaving the office, you will be
given a detailed list of "Post-Operative Instructions" and
an emergency contact number if needed.
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
would perform a full comprehensive exam and take any and all
xrays. The patient would come back for a general anesthesia
visit for any additional procedures.
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.
The anesthesiologist makes the final
decision to cancel the patient’s appointment. This decision
is made in the best interest of your child’s health.
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.
Prior to leaving the office, you will be
given a detailed list of “Post-Operative Instructions” and
an emergency contact number if needed.
General
Anesthesia
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.
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 and death.
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.
The anesthesiologist makes the final
decision to cancel the patient’s appointment. This decision
is made in the best interest of your child’s health.
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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