William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry provides sedation options when required for our young patients.
Here are answers to the most prevalent questions about pediatric sedation dentistry.
Is sedation safe for kids?
Nitrous oxide, 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 William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, 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 young patient 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 painkiller, many procedures are quite painful. A 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 drink prior to the treatment. Be thorough when reporting your child’s medical history. Make sure you tell Dr. Stewart which medications your child is taking.
If your child 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 promptly.
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 three main types of sedation.
Nitrous Oxide
“Laughing gas” is safe and effective. Nitrous oxide is used in most pediatric dental offices. It is the optimal mild sedative. It starts working quickly. It calms the child during the procedure and wears off quickly after the mask is taken off. Plus, it doesn’t require a scary needle.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedatives help most patients achieve a calmer state. They aren’t designed to lead to complete unconsciousness. Oral sedatives and nitrous oxide are considered “conscious” sedation.
IV Sedation
IV sedation produces actual “sleep dentistry.” Most kids are completely oblivious to the treatment performed. IV sedation is beneficial 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 child 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 William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:
210-493-3040
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
13220 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, Texas
78230
