Safe, Effective Hillsboro Sedation Dentistry for Kids
Every year, millions of US adults report skipping dental visits due to fear or anxiety, and if adults who fully understand their necessary dental care are fearful of the dentist, kids who don’t always completely comprehend dentistry treatment are even more susceptible to these feelings. In some cases, kids not understanding what is happening to them can be very dangerous as they may fight the dentist leading to potential damage. That’s why we sometimes recommend sedation dentistry services to keep kids calm and safe throughout even the most advanced dental care.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is the most powerful form of dental sedation because, unlike alternative options, it renders the patient completely unconscious. Although it is rarely necessary, we know that some kids with special needs, very sensitive teeth, or who need extensive care benefit from this provision. If your child needs it, we will arrange treatment with Dr. Brandon Kearbey or a local hospital to make sure that every reasonable safety precaution is implemented. Our goal is to make your child’s care experience as easy and efficient as possible.
Who Is a Good Candidate for General Anesthesia?
For most patients, milder forms of sedation are adequate. However, we may recommend general anesthesia if your child:
- Needs extensive or complex care.
- Struggles with extreme dental sensitivity.
- Has severe anxiety or fear surrounding dental care.
- Has a behavioral or physical condition that makes it necessary for them to be fully sedated.
- Has a very strong gag reflex.
We will thoroughly screen your child to make sure they do not have any contraindications for general anesthesia. For example, it is not usually recommended for those with serious respiratory conditions, children under the age of three, or kids with certain other circumstances.
How Is General Anesthesia Different from Other Forms of Dental Sedation?
Other forms of dental sedation are known as “conscious” sedation, meaning that the patient is very relaxed, but they remain alert enough to respond to questions and directions from our dental team. General anesthesia causes unconsciousness and complete unawareness of the patient’s surroundings.
General anesthesia needs to be performed under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or certified dental anesthesia specialist. It requires extra equipment and careful monitoring, so it often costs more than other forms of sedation. However, it may be covered by insurance when it is viewed as a medical necessity.
Aftercare for General Anesthesia
As your child wakes up from general anesthesia, you can expect them to be very groggy and fatigued. You should monitor them closely for about 24 hours, and make sure they have a comfortable and quiet environment at home where they can get plenty of rest.
Encourage your child to drink lots of water so they stay hydrated. Any foods they consume should be soft and require little to no chewing. You should also be careful to follow other post-op instructions from our team that will be tailored to the specific procedure that we performed on your child.
You are encouraged to call us if you have questions or concerns at any point in your child’s recovery process.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is the longest used and most popular sedation option for kids and adults. This sedative quickly takes effective and wears off and we’re able to quickly and easily adjust dosage throughout treatment. We place a comfortable nasal mask of your child’s nose, and as they inhale through the nose, kids quickly feel relaxed and sensitivity and discomfort are reduced. If kids begin to fidget or experience pain, we can quickly increase the dosage improving numbness and comfort almost instantly. Best of all, children go back to normal relatively quickly following nitrous oxide sedation. In most cases, kids can even go back to school or other activities the same day they are treated. If your child struggles to stay calm during dental care or needs a little extra help becoming numb, we’re happy to offer nitrous oxide sedation from the comfort of our Hillsboro dental office.