CHILDREN’S SEDATION DENTIST MURPHY
A Dose of Calm in Your Loved One’s Dental Care
Does going to the dentist make your child incredibly nervous? This is very common, which is why we like to take things slow, talk through any procedure, explore minimally invasive treatment options, and help your child feel safe and at home before we provide any treatment. We find that this usually makes any nerves disappear. However, because we do not utilize a one-size-fits-all approach and recognize that every child has unique needs, for those who require a little extra help, we offer various options for children's sedation dentistry in Murphy to make even the worst anxiety quickly ebb away. If you’re ready to enjoy the easiest dental appointment of your life, just give Bloom Pediatric Dentistry a call today and ask about your child’s sedation dentistry options.
Why Choose Bloom Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Sedation Dentistry?
- Led by a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Partnered with Local Board-Certified Anesthesiologists
- Multiple Sedation Options to Find the Right Fit for Each Child
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Gentle, effective, and fast, nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) causes your child to feel warm, giggly, and ready for dental care after just a few calming breaths. It’s perfect for smaller procedures or children who just need a little help to get through their routine appointments. As quickly as it works, the effects go away just as fast and don’t linger after the nasal mask has been removed, meaning your child can resume their regular routine afterward. Here’s what you need to know about this treatment.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a safe form of sedation for both children and adults, but it’s particularly beneficial for children! We’ll always assess your child’s health and needs before confirming if they’re a good candidate for this form of sedation. That said, some situations we might suggest using it include:
- Your child has mild to moderate dental anxiety.
- Your child has a strong gag reflex.
- Your child has difficulty sitting still for long periods or is undergoing more complex treatment.
- Your child has had a negative dental experience in the past.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
When your child arrives for their appointment, we’ll make sure to explain the entire process to you and them in terms they can understand. We’ll begin by placing a soft nasal mask over their nose, which provides them with a mixture of oxygen and the nitrous oxide, which is both colorless and odorless. Within minutes of inhaling it, your child will feel at ease, comfortable, and compliant with treatment. The dosage can be adjusted as needed, and your child will be carefully monitored during the appointment. As soon as we’re finished with treatment, the gas is turned off and the mask is removed; within a few minutes, your child should feel back to normal as the effects of the nitrous wear off.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the best parts about nitrous oxide sedation is that following treatment, there’s no downtime! Children who receive this treatment can resume their daily activities following their appointment, as long as aftercare guidelines for any treatment they underwent are still followed. In some rare cases, minor side effects like nausea or tiredness can occur. Be sure to contact us immediately if you suspect that your child is having any sort of complication that you believe may be related to their dental treatment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
On paper, oral conscious sedation sounds too good to be true. All it entails is a child taking a small amount of medication, and they’ll be nice and relaxed while remaining conscious and cooperative. This is a great option for children with moderate dental anxiety. From their perspective, their appointment will fly by fast and be over before they know it.
IV Sedation
For children with behavioral issues/extreme dental anxiety, we can bring in a board-certified anesthesiologist to administer deep IV sedation. This enables a child to become deeply relaxed in a short amount of time, plus the amount of sedative can be adjusted in real-time to suit their needs throughout a procedure. Their breathing and heart rate will be monitored throughout the appointment for safety, and in the end, they’ll feel like they’ve woken up from a nice nap after their visit (despite staying awake the entire time).
General Anesthesia
If your child requires extensive/surgical dentistry, has special needs, and/or possesses severe situational anxiety that can make them uncooperative, we may recommend general anesthesia or sleep dentistry. This can be provided in our state-of-the-art dental office by a licensed board-certified anesthesiologist, and it enables a child to literally sleep throughout their appointment and wake up with no memory of it afterward. It is extremely safe and effective, and we’ll talk to you about your child’s unique health needs and current medications beforehand to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Kids?
Sedation dentistry is generally safe for kids. The mildest form of sedation, nitrous oxide, is very low-risk when it is administered by a properly trained dental team. Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are also very well-tolerated among most young patients. As a well-qualified children’s sedation dentist in Murphy, we take all reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes for our patients.
Some kids experience mild side effects, like nausea or grogginess. Limiting your child’s food intake before their procedure may help to reduce the risk of vomiting and nausea.
If your child experiences any severe or unusual symptoms that you believe may be related to sedation, be sure to let our team know immediately.
Will My Child Remember Anything with Dental Sedation?
Even though most forms of dental sedation do not actually cause unconsciousness, they can lower the patient’s awareness of their surroundings. Particularly with oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, memory loss is a common side effect. This can be great for kids who are bothered by the sights, sounds, and sensations of dental care.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
The cost of dental sedation for kids depends on the type and amount of sedative used. Nitrous oxide is usually the most affordable option, often costing just a few hundred dollars. Oral conscious sedation may cost a bit more, but it is also affordable for most families. IV sedation tends to be the highest-priced option.
Our team can provide cost estimates during your child’s consultation. We are also happy to help you understand payment options, so you do not run into any unpleasant surprises when you pay for your child’s care.
Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Most insurance companies classify sedation as a luxury, so it is not usually covered. However, there are some exceptions. For example, coverage is more likely for special needs kids, as well as those who need to undergo extensive treatments. Milder forms of sedation are also more likely to receive coverage than more complex sedation methods.
Our team welcomes insurance, and we will be happy to help you figure out how your benefits apply. We can even assist you with acquiring preauthorization so you can know for sure ahead of time what will be covered.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
One of the great things about nitrous oxide is that it tends to wear off almost as soon as the nasal mask is removed. Within minutes, your child should return to feeling normal!
Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, on the other hand, tend to have longer-lasting effects. They might even last for a full day after your child’s procedure. During that time, they should get plenty of rest and avoid any rough forms of play or other activities that pose a risk of injury.