There are many types of sedation that can be used to help make your child comfortable during a dental procedure. Our trained team, partners with you to determine the best, most cost-effective and appropriate one for treating your child, should sedation be required.

 

1. Nitrous Oxide

This is a very mild sedation that most of adults wish was readily available during their own dental work. When breathed in, nitrous enters the blood stream to give the patient the feeling of being “lighter.” It also alters the pain threshold to help keep the child comfortable. A 5-minute oxygen flush (removing nitrous, breathing normally) is all that is required to flush it out of their system.

Note: The child has to be calm and breathing through their nose for nitrous oxide to take effect.

 

Preparation

Before your child’s visit, please avoid eating a heavy meal and foods with dairy. If the patient needs to eat, we recommend a piece of bread and/or some juice.

 

2. Conscious Sedation

For those children who are anxious, fearful or unable to cooperate, the pediatric dentist will recommend dental treatment under conscious sedation. Your child will not receive a general anesthetic, only a liquid medication to make him / her more relaxed. The sedative medication is taken by mouth in the office and will require some waiting time to take effect. Treatment is usually completed in one or two sessions, and the child is released soon after dental treatment is completed. Your child may also receive nitrous oxide during treatment.

 

3. Intravenous Sedation ​

We are thrilled to partner with Dr. Tom Lenhart with Bay Area Anesthesia to offer in-office anesthesia for your child. This licensed medical team provides a safe, convenient option in the comfort of our office.

 

 

4. Hospital Sedation

We are affiliated with Stanislaus Surgery Center in Modesto which allows us to treat very young and/or medically compromised children.