Dentists - Most Common Methods of Sedation

If you have children who need dental checkups soon, you may be wondering what dentists typically use to sedate pediatric patients. Though the dosages are often different, most dental offices use very similar techniques to sedate their younger patients as they do adults. Find out what the main types are before you bring your children in for a checkup or procedure.

One common method is usually called laughing gas, though its medical name is nitrous oxide. This is a type of conscious sedation since it does not knock the patient out, but allows him to stay relaxed during the procedure. Children who are put under this kind of sedation by dentists can usually still talk, allowing them to let the medical practitioner know if the procedure hurts or is uncomfortable. This is known as quite a safe method since the child does not need to be unconscious and will not feel any effects afterward.

Another method used by some dentists is called IV sedation, which involves placing a sedative under the skin using an IV. It must be administered by a staff member familiar with anesthesia, and children given this kind of sedative should be allowed to rest for the remainder of the day since it causes relaxation to the point of drowsiness. Not all dentists offer this technique since it is not always necessary.

One popular technique used by many dental professionals is to give an oral sedative, helping children feel sleepy during the procedure. Like laughing gas, this method allows them to stay awake to answer any questions when necessary, but it makes them stay calm so that the dental treatment can be completed without a hitch. It is usually given in the form of liquid, and it has no side effects for the majority of kids. Therefore, this is often an option in many offices.

If your child has an upcoming appointment, and the treatment will likely be uncomfortable or even painful, they will likely be sedated in some way. It is good to find out about the most common options in case your child is allergic to any of the substances given, or you do not feel comfortable with the method used most often by the pediatric dentist. In most cases, the dentist will also give you a rundown of the methods used, and allow you to know the side effects, risks, and advantages of each before the treatment even begins.