Sedation

At Cherry Orchard Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to create a comfortable and safe environment so that your child will be asking when they get to come back.  However, we understand that kids can get nervous and anxious about the known and unknown and that relationships take time to build.  Recognizing this behavior is very important for us so we can help everyone achieve the desired outcome.  We offer two sedation treatments, Nitrous Oxide and IV sedation, to achieve the calm and comfortable environment for your child’s visit.  The determination for each use is based on patient compliance with the different delivery systems.  Dr. Lisa and her dental team will discuss and help determine what sedation method is recommended for your child’s treatment if needed.

Nitrous oxide inhalation is a commonly used analgesic to reduce anxiety and has an excellent safety record. It is an inhaled medication that can increase pain threshold and decrease discomfort in local anesthetic administration when performed properly.  This medication is patient dependent which means the patient needs to be able to breathe through their nose verses their mouth.

A fitted mask, similar to a clown nose, is placed over the nose of the patient.  As the patient begins to smell/ “sniff” in and out through their nose the nitrous will begin to take affect and create the relaxation sensation. We also encourage patients to close their mouth (no talking) so the nitrous can work properly.  The sensation can produce a “giddy” or “giggle- like” experience which is why it is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”.  When the procedure is nearing the end, the nitrous will be discontinued and only oxygen will be administered.  As this exchange occurs, patients may begin to recognize other sensations that were not as apparent earlier with Nitrous such as the numbness, the new restoration (filling or crown) and appliance.   The administration of the Oxygen will continue for 3-5 minutes until full recovery is achieved.

In office IV sedation is indicated for children with a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, that are very young and unable to understand coping mechanisms, and those requiring extensive dental treatment.    Cherry Orchard Pediatric Dentistry partners with a pediatric anesthesiologist to provide this service; thereby allowing each profession to focus and perform their skills at the highest level for the patient.   In doing so, the patient and parent experience meet the desired outcome in a safe manner.