SEDATION DENTIST FOR KIDS PORTLAND
No More Stress at the Dentist
We pride ourselves at Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children because we often DON’T have to sedate a child thanks to our proven system for keeping our patients calm and happy throughout their appointments. However, sedation dentistry in Portland can be a valuable tool for extremely nervous kids or those who need more extensive care, so we are happy to offer an array of options to ensure that they remain perfectly relaxed throughout any procedure they might need.
Why Choose Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children for Children’s Sedation Dentistry?
- Multiple Dental Sedation Methods Available In-House
- Highly Trained Children’s Dentistry Team
- Licensed Dental Anesthesiologist On-Site
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation (Laughing Gas)
With this, your child simply has a small mask placed over their nose, and as they breathe in the nitrous oxide, they’ll start to feel like they are gently floating. Giggles and an overall feeling of warmth are common, helping any nerves quickly disappear. The effects go away just as fast after the mask is removed, meaning your child can resume their regular day following their visit.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?
Laughing gas is a great sedation choice for children because of its mild effects and swift recovery time. Your child might benefit from this amenity if they:
- Have dental or general anxiety
- Are afraid of needles or other such tools
- Have a difficult time sitting still for prolonged periods
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
That said, nitrous oxide isn’t right for everyone. It’s not ideal for children with asthma or other such breathing issues, and can interact with certain medications. Let us know if you’re interested in this treatment so we can help you determine whether it will be safe and effective for your little one.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?
First, we’ll lower a non-invasive mask over your child’s mouth and nose. The gas will be administered through the mask, and once your child breathes it in, the relaxing effects should take effect quickly. Nitrous oxide machines are known for being extremely safe and easy to operate, and you can rest assured that we’ll closely monitor your little one to ensure the process goes smoothly. After removing the mask, any lingering effects should fade quickly.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Though laughing gas is incredibly minimal and fast, we recommend keeping an eye on your child, just in case. It will also be important to make sure they’re taking good care of their teeth following treatment. Depending on the procedure, they might have special instructions they need to follow, and helping them do so properly will prevent complications. Please let us know if something doesn’t seem quite right with your little one’s oral health, and we’ll see them promptly.
IV Sedation
For children with severe dental phobia or those who need surgical care, we might suggest IV sedation dentistry. This involves the medication being administered directly into the bloodstream, causing a child to become deeply relaxed very quickly. The effects can linger for up to 24 hours, so they will need to have the entire day of their procedure off of school to rest.
What is IV Sedation?
IV dental sedation isn’t administered via a pill or nose mask like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Instead, the medication is administered directly into the blood stream through an IV line that our team will gently place into your child’s arm. This will cause near-immediate effects, and in many cases, children aren’t able to remember any aspect of their visit despite remaining conscious. It also leads to such a deep state of relaxation that many children fall asleep completely, eliminating any fear or anxiety they may have surrounding the dental office or procedure.
While your child is under IV sedation, our team of experts will be closely monitoring their vitals to ensure they’re safe. We can also adjust how much of the medication we administer in real time throughout their appointment to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience.
When is IV Sedation a Good Option for Kids?
IV sedation in Portland is ideal for children who require either a more complex treatment, or several procedures at once. This is because the administration of the sedation makes it more comfortable to sit in the treatment chair for an extended period of time. It’s also ideal for those who have extreme fear of the dental office. This phobia can be caused by a number of underlying reasons, including a bad past visit with a children’s dentist or just the fact that they have a very strong gag reflex.
Before we recommend IV sedation for your child, Dr. Pike will evaluate their candidacy by looking over their medical and oral health histories and discussing any concerns you may have. We’ll also assess potential allergies or interactions of other medications that they’re taking before administering IV sedation.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
IV sedation for kids in Portland can completely transform their experience at the dental office. Some of the benefits that your child will receive with this treatment include:
- Maintaining a deeply relaxing state throughout their visit so their fear doesn’t become worse or leave them traumatized.
- Fast-acting effects due to the medication being administered directly into the bloodstream.
- Trained professionals will be administering the medication as well as monitoring your child throughout their procedure.
- Better oral health due to them being able to receive all of the treatments they need in one comfortable sitting.
General Anesthesia (“Sleep Dentistry”)
Sleep dentistry is a great choice for children with special needs as it allows them to “nap” through their procedures. The dentist will talk to you about this option ahead of time, oversee it on the day of their visit, and keep a close eye on your child afterward. For your child, they’ll feel like they’ve just woken up from a nap!
Preparing for Sedation Dentistry
If it has been determined that your child will have some type of sedation during their dental appointment, it is crucial that you follow our instructions carefully. There are important rules regarding eating and drinking during the hours leading up to the procedure that must be followed. For some of the stronger sedative options, children will often need to avoid solid foods beginning at midnight the night before the appointment. Only clear liquids should be offered up until two hours before the scheduled procedure.
After Sedation Dentistry
After your child’s procedure has been completed, you will be called into the room to be with your child as the medication wears off. The amount of time that the medication takes to wear off will vary, and some children take significantly longer to become alert. Your child might be confused initially, but all reactions are normal and will ease as the sedative medication wears off.
After you return home, your child should try to take it easy for the remainder of the day. Only feed them soft foods for the first couple of hours after the procedure. If your child has sore gums, Motrin or Tylenol can help ease discomfort, but you should be sure to contact us immediately if your child experiences vomiting, severe pain, fever, or severe bleeding of the gums.
Sedation Alternatives-Anxiety Reduction Appointments Available!
Does your child become scared at even the slightest mention of the dentist? Don’t like the idea of having to sedate them just to have a basic procedure completed?
Our Anxiety Reduction Appointments are proven to help kids reset their expectations when it comes to the dentist, allowing them (and you!) to breathe easy every time you step through our doors. Combining our gentle, proven approach with lifestyle recommendations and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), we can make it much easier to manage cavities, prevent them in the future, and reduce nerves associated with routine care.