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Dental Office Sedation with Pediatric Anesthesiologists

Pediatric dental office IV sedation services with pediatric anesthesiologists is provided by Drs. Rubin and Sentelle at Frisco Kid’s Dentistry. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends IV sedation for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation. IV sedation can typically be administered in office, but may require a hospital setting, depending on the treatment needs of your child. All dental sedation options will be discussed with you, and your dentist will address any concerns or questions you may have prior to scheduling your child’s procedure.

Preparing for Your Child’s Sedation Dentistry

Your board certified pediatric anesthesiologists will contact you prior to your child’s dental sedation procedure in order to answer questions, and collect and confirm information. Your dentist will give you general instructions to follow which may include:

  • No food or milk after midnight the evening before the treatment. Your child may have water, clear juice or sports drinks, or non-dairy popsicles between midnight and three hours before the procedure.
  • Spray a nasal decongestant containing Oxymetazoline, such as Afrin, into each nostril the night before, as well as the morning of, the sedation.
  • If your child uses a prescribed inhaler, begin treatment 24 hours prior to your appointment, even if your child has no current symptoms.
  • One hour prior to arrival, give your child a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol).
  • Do not give your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) within 48 hours of the procedure.
  • Any regular medications given the morning of the sedation should be taken with just a sip of water.
  • Place your child in a pull-up diaper if he general wears one while sleeping.
  • During the sedation, your child should wear a loose fitting short-sleeved shirt so that the anesthesiologist can have access to your child’s arm, as well as for comfort.

What to Expect During In-Office IV Sedation

During office-based sedation, your child will be administered medications that will provide sedation, rather than a general anesthesia. Safety precautions and monitoring equipment are identical to hospital-based anesthesia. Your child’s board certified pediatric anesthesiologist, as well as an anesthesia technician or registered nurse, will be with your child for the entire procedure. You may accompany your child to the dental chair and remain with him until we begin the dental treatment.

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, will be administered through a dental nose mask or face mask, which both smell like fruit. Once the nitrous oxide begins to take effect, an IV will be inserted. Medications will be given through the IV to sedate your child. We recommend letting our staff discuss the IV with your child, rather than telling your child hours or days prior to the injection, as this can cause added anxiety. Many children do not remember the injection after the sedation procedure.

During IV sedation, your child’s breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate will be constantly monitored. Local anesthesia to numb the area is typically not needed, so your child’s mouth should not feel numb upon awakening. The nitrous oxide is available and often used to alleviate any minor discomfort your child may experience.

Once the dental treatment has been successfully completed, the IV medication infusion is stopped and and the IV removed after your child awakens, which typically takes 15-20 minutes. You may be present during post sedation monitoring, which generally takes 15-30 minutes. You are welcome to go home when your child can obey a simple command, or expresses a readiness to leave. Of course, you may stay until you feel completely comfortable in taking your child home.

Your child may feel sleepy or dizzy for a few hours after the IV sedation and his behavior may be quite different. Resting quietly at home with adult supervision for the remainder of the day is recommended.

Is Dental Sedation Overdoing It?

Every child is different, and the decision to use dental sedation is one that you should make with your pediatric dentist. If your child is unwilling or unable to cooperate during the needed treatment, dental sedation provides a way for your child to safely and effectively receive the required care with minimal stress and anxiety.

For patients with special healthcare needs, Frisco Kid’s Dentistry provides IV sedation in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, using the same highly qualified pediatric anesthesiologists that provide our in-office sedations. Dr. Rubin and Dr. Sentelle are both Board Certified with hospital privileges at Children’s Medical Center in Plano.

Our commitment to you is to offer quality, individualized oral care for your child in the most comfortable, stress-free, child-friendly environment that we can provide. If you have any questions, please contact our office by Online Appointment Request or call 214 618 5200.

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