Dental Sedation and Anesthesia
Sedation dentistry is the practice of introducing sedation to your child’s dental procedure.
Sedation dentistry is the practice of introducing sedation to your child’s dental procedure. There are various forms of sedation that are available, as well as different levels of sedation dentistry. These various types and these different levels of sedation all have their benefits when chosen for different situations.
As a parent, your primary concern is the care and well-being of your child. We feel the same way at Smile Time Kids. We want your child and you to feel calm, happy, and safe in our office, which is why we offer a variety of pediatric sedation options.
The entire staff at Smile Time Kids LOVES children. We enjoy their budding personalities and their constant search for answers. We are a compassionate, caring, and patient team when working with your child. Their young smiles are important to us. Call us today at 765-373-3100 with any questions you have regarding your child or stop by Smile Time Kids at 1002 Oak Drive, Richmond, IN, 47374.
We are a compassionate, caring, and patient team when working with your child. Their young smiles are important to us.
Call 765-373-3100 or contact our office today via online contact form. Our office is located at 1002 Oak Drive, Richmond, IN 47374. Let us help keep your child healthy together.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
The benefits of sedation dentistry are quite substantial. The most obvious benefit to sedation dentistry is the reduction of dental anxiety your child will experience during their procedure. Sedation dentistry helps alleviate anxiety concerns. Sedation dentistry will also remove or significantly reduce your child’s tooth and gum sensitivity, which in turn will reduce their gag reflex. Finally, sedation dentistry allows us to work faster and more effectively, which means your child’s procedure will be completed quicker.
Sedation Dentistry Options
The Smile Time Kids offers two kinds of sedation: conscious sedation and general anesthesia. During your child’s procedure using conscious sedation, their consciousness is merely depressed. General anesthesia, on the other hand, means that they are completely unconscious for the entire procedure. As a result of this state of mind your child will be unable to feel anything during the procedure and will have no memory of the procedure.
- Conscious Sedation- Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a safe, short-term form of sedation that works well for most children. It is a colorless gas that can have a mildly sweet scent and taste. While breathing laughing gas, your child might feel sleepy, warm, or a little giggly. One of the best things about nitrous oxide is that it is a minimally invasive form of sedation, administered through a small breathing mask. Laughing gas is a mix of about 70% oxygen and 30% nitrous oxide, so your child will be able to breathe normally during the procedure. Nitrous oxide has analgesic properties, relieving pain and minimizing the gag reflex. As an incredibly mild form of sedation, nitrous oxide is perfect for children who are nervous about their appointments or who tend to find dental procedures uncomfortable. Nitrous oxide is effective within two to three minutes after treatment has started, and it completely dissipates from the system within five minutes after the mask is removed. Because laughing gas has no long-lasting effects, your child can return to school or play immediately following their appointment.
- General Anesthesia- Some children require deeper anesthesia to manage their dental anxiety or uncontrollable movements. General anesthesia might also be recommended if your child has extensive dental issues, such as baby-bottle tooth decay or deeply rooted infections. General anesthesia is administered through an IV to help put your child to sleep. Because this deeper form of anesthesia can affect other systems of the body, dental procedures that require it will be performed at the hospital, where your child’s breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs can be carefully monitored. Our dentists hold hospital privileges for treatment under general anesthesia at Riley Hospital for Children, IU Health North Hospital and St. Vincent Hospitals in Carmel, IN.
Your Child’s Safety Is Our Top Priority
Before we recommend any form of sedation for your child, we will carefully evaluate your child’s condition, their medical history, and any risks that could complicate the procedure. Safety is our number one priority when we work with you and your child to create a personalized treatment plan. During your child’s initial consultation, we will also address any questions or concerns you or your child may have.
Smile Time Kids has the specialized training necessary to help developmentally compromised and disabled patients, children with anxiety disorders, and children with other special needs. Pediatric dentists also receive two years of additional training focused on orofacial growth and development, preventive care in children, pharmacological management, and hospital dentistry. We have the experience and formal training necessary to keep your child safe and comfortable during dental procedures.
Learn More About Pediatric Sedation Dentistry make an Appointment Today
Smile Time Kids takes patient safety very seriously. Your child will never be given more anesthetic than they need, and we will make sure that your child is comfortable before, during, and after their dental procedure, so they will leave thinking we are the best pediatric dentists in the area. For more information about pediatric sedation dentistry, contact Smile Time Kids today.
Make an Appointment for Your Child Today!
Smile Time Kids would like to share the recommendations of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. They suggest bringing your child in for their first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth erupts or by the time your child is one, whichever occurs first. We will work with your child and treat them like family. We love happy and healthy children. Afterwards, children should visit at normal intervals just like you would schedule your own dental checkups. Call 765-373-3100 today to make an appointment with Smile Time Kids. Our office is located at 1002 Oak Drive, Richmond, IN 47374. Let us keep your child healthy together.
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Your child should see the dentist at the age of 1 year, or within 6 months of the appearance of his or her first tooth. A quick checkup will be done and x-rays taken to ensure the baby teeth are growing properly. If your child has multiple teeth already, they'll be counted and quickly cleaned.