Sedation Dentistry
It’s entirely normal for your child to be a little anxious about undergoing a dental procedure – you might be a bit apprehensive too! We also know that sometimes, asking your child to sit still for a lengthy dental procedure is an almost impossible task.
Therefore, at Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, we’ve made it our goal to make sure all our patients feel comfortable, happy, and relaxed.
Not only do we have the most amazing and caring team, but we also provide high-quality sedation dentistry options to discuss with families in need of these services.
Sedation allows us to help even the most nervous child achieve a healthy smile – in a safe and timely manner.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows your doctor to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits of sedation dentistry, including:
- Less fear or anxiety during treatment
- More comfort during dental procedures
- A more relaxing dental experience
Patients who have undergone a procedure using sedation dentistry will tell you it's a simple, relaxing way to experience dentistry.
Light Oral Sedation
Anxiolysis is a light form of sedation dentistry and is often used for patients with mild anxiety or those with longer procedures or more complex situations. Usually administered orally, with mild sedation, your child will remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and will be able to breathe on their own, but they will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete.
Inhaled Sedation
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Administered through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose, it is an effective way to calm anxiety, raise their pain threshold, and even make time seem like it's passing quicker than usual. At the end of their appointment, they'll resume breathing regular oxygen, and all the effects of nitrous oxide will disappear, so they may resume their normal activities immediately.
Outpatient General Anesthesia
We’ve partnered with Putnam County Hospital to provide specialist outpatient care. Outpatient general anesthesia is most ideal for more extensive and complex procedures that are needed for our young and/or high-anxiety patients. To help ensure that your child does not suffer from psychology trauma, they will be asleep for the entire procedure.
Whatever your child’s needs may be, we are prepared to offer the best solution in the form of compassionate comprehensive care.