Sedation FAQs

In many instances, children can have their dental procedures completed under nitrous oxide or local anesthesia in a regular dental office setting. Sometimes, however, children have extensive levels of decay or are too young or fearful to have these procedures completed in a traditional setting. Sedation dentistry allows children to have their dental treatment performed in a more calm and comfortable manner than if performed under traditional methods. Sedation dentistry often also helps eliminate the need for multiple appointments. Sedation involves the administration of anesthesia, a medicine that allows dental procedures to be performed without pain, movement, and often memory of the treatment itself. Anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist or a certified dentist, a professional that is trained and experienced in the preparation and administration of anesthesia for these types of surgeries. At all times during your child’s surgery, their heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, temperature, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are monitored.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation dentistry is a deep form of sedation that is often utilized in specialized dental settings. Usually, children under IV sedation will fall asleep and not have any memory of the procedure afterwards. IV sedation is normally recommended for younger children with severe anxiety or extensive treatment needs that are safer to perform under sedation where the child will be as still as possible. This allows the dentist to complete a larger amount of treatment at one time and ensure that all areas of concern are addressed in order to keep the primary (baby) teeth healthy and allow for proper development of the permanent teeth. IV sedation is administered through a needle in your child’s arm (or hand), so that the anesthesiologist can continually give your child the amount of medicine that is needed to keep them relaxed during the longer procedures.

The dentist or his/her staff will speak with you and your child about the necessity of dental treatment under sedation. They will collect information regarding your child’s health history to ensure that IV sedation is the safest option for your child. Please make sure to disclose any previous or current medical conditions with complete honesty. It is important for your child’s safety that these are disclosed for the dentist and anesthesiologist to make the best medical decisions for your child. Treatment recommendations will be made for your child based on medical and health information, amount of treatment recommended, and your child’s age and/or anxiety level. You will be given instructions about what to do the day and morning prior to your child’s appointment. Normally, the dentist will ask for your child not to eat or drink anything after 11pm the night before to their scheduled appointment. IF your child takes any routine medication, it is important to let the office know so that they can ask the dentist and/or anesthesiologist if you will need to have your child take this medication on the day of their surgery.

Remember nothing to eat or drink on the day of surgery. When you arrive at the office, you will check-in with our front desk staff and be escorted to the pre-operative area. One of our staff members will review your child’s medical history one more time and document the last time that your child consumed anything. They will also go over what both you and your child can expect during and immediately after their dental surgery. Our pre-op rooms have TV’s and a kid-friendly atmosphere that will help them relax and feel comfortable during this process. Your child’s IV will be administered once they have been moved to the sedation suite. For the safety of your child, you will not be able to accompany them back to the sedation suite. Our full medical team will need to give their undivided attention to your child during the sedation and they need to have the room clear and focused with only their highly trained team. Your child will be monitored and attended to by the medical team continuously throughout their procedure. You can wait in our “in-surgery” waiting room during your child’s procedure. We have TV's and workstations for you to enjoy during this time. Once your child’s surgery is complete and they are ready to move to recovery, you will be able to join them. Our staff will be there with you to help monitor your child as they wake up from surgery and to go over all discharge instructions.

Once your child wakes up from their sedation and is cleared by our medical staff to be dismissed, we will deliver your child to your car in a wheelchair. It is very important to have someone accompany you to the appointment so that one person can drive and the other can monitor your child on the drive home. Make sure the car door is locked and that someone can monitor your child for the entire ride home, as they may continue to be dizzy and/or sleepy for the next 2-4 hours. Your child may be able to eat or drink soft foods such as milkshakes or soup after the surgery. Our staff will go over whether your child is numb or not and how long they will need to wait to eat or drink, as well as any other dietary or activity limitations. It is important to plan for someone to be able to closely monitor your child for the remainder of the day in case they are still dizzy or have any post-surgery symptoms that you may be concerned about.