Pediatric Dental Sedation

Helping Your Child Feel Relaxed & Comfortable

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible. We proudly offer pediatric dental sedation to make their dental treatments or procedures easier. Both inhaled sedation and oral (medicine in the form of a pill) sedatives are approved by the American Dental Association and available in our offices. They are an effective tool in helping reduce anxiety, fear or even just the trouble of sitting still during their visit with us.

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What is Pediatric Dental Sedation?

If your child experiences an oral infection or dental pain that requires treatment, our doctors may recommend sedation. Our dentists may also utilize calming drugs to manage special needs or anxiety as your child undergoes dental care. The reason for this may vary, such as some procedures require your child to sit completely still or have their mouth open for an extended period of time. The sound of the dental instruments may also be noisy and scaring and dental sedation may help them relax. Our goal at Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is to provide a safe, virtually painless experience for your child.

Types of Dental Sedation

Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics proudly offers two types of pediatric dental sedation: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation in office.

  • Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a very safe, common method that is administered with a mouthpiece of your child’s face as they breathe in oxygen combined with the medication through their noise to help them relax. The calming effects are usually felt in just a couple of minutes.

  • Oral Sedatives: These are usually given in the form of a pill prior to the procedure. Once you and your child arrive for their appointment, we will have your child take the medication, and they should take effect in about 20 minutes.

  • General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is a safe and commonly used method to ensure your child is fully asleep and comfortable during a procedure. It is administered through an IV or a mask and delivers medication that allows your child to sleep deeply and feel no pain. Your child will feel the results within minutes, and our team carefully monitors your child throughout the process to ensure their safety and well-being.

pediatric dental sedation

Safety Measures for Pediatric Dental Sedation

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, ensuring our young patients are safe is our top priority. We take extra steps to ensure your little one is well taken care of and safe during any treatment they are receiving, including:

Our team will take a complete review of your child’s medical and dental history. This allows us to determine any chronic conditions, medication usage and underlying conditions. Our doctors will assess your child’s overall health, level of anxiety, as well as the complexity of the procedure to determine if they may benefit from sedation.

Before we do anything, we will make sure parents are completely informed about what the procedure entails, post-care instructions and answer any questions you may have. Following, we will get your informed consent ensuring you feel confident about the decision to move forward with your child’s dental care.

We will continue to monitor your child’s vital signs throughout the procedure with specialized attention and equipment. Our dental team is trained to respond appropriately and promptly to any changes in your child’s condition.

Following the procedure, we will continue to watch your child as the effects of the medication wear off. Parents are provided with detailed instructions on post-operative care such as what their child can eat and drink after as well as participating in any activities.

Keeping Your Child Comfortable During Dental Treatments

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we aim to ensure your child is relaxed and safe during their time at one of our offices in Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Short Pump or West End. Even though not everyone may need pediatric dental sedation to undergo certain dental treatments, we believe it may be helpful for our young patients experiencing anxiety. Our goal is to make sure parents feel confident and well informed in their child’s decision making, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Helping Richmond Smile

Comprehensive Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to deliver radiant, healthy smiles to families across Richmond, VA. Our kind and caring team is committed to providing professional, high quality service in an environment that is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to make your dental and orthodontic journey with us an amazing experience. Get started today!