SEDATION SERVICES FOR PEDIATRIC DENTAL & ORAL SURGERY
At the Children’s Dental Hospital we recognize that some of our patients may feel anxious or apprehensive about receiving dental care. Our doctors and staff work hard to make sure that your child has a comfortable, positive experience, and that’s why we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry for those patients needing a little extra comfort before receiving treatment. Feeling anxious about receiving dental care should never prevent your child from having the beautiful, healthy smile he or she deserves. There are different types of sedation available for dental treatment. You and your child’s doctor will work together to decide on a personalized treatment plan that will give your child the care he or she needs while ensuring comfort every step of the way.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O-O2) is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child’s fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication. Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated. It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergic. Your child remains fully conscious – keeps all natural reflexes – when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen. He/she will be capable of responding to a question or request. Nitrous oxide/oxygen may also be used in combination with other sedative agents.
Conscious (IV) Sedation
Conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious. Their airway protective reflexes remain intact. There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation; the doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations.
General Anesthesia (Sleep Dentistry)
General Anesthesia is a management technique that uses medications to cause the child to become unconscious and asleep while receiving dental care. With your child’s safety of utmost importance to us, we will complete all of our general anesthesia procedures in an operating room under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
Candidates for using General Anesthesia/IV Sedation for dental treatment
The proper candidates for dental treatment using IV sedation or general anesthesia are usually very young children with severe anxiety, extensive medical problems and/or people with special needs who require extensive dental treatment and cannot tolerate treatment in the dental office under normal circumstances. The main concern with this type of anesthesia in the pediatric patient is to maintain an open airway and adequate breathing. This is routine for an anesthesiologist. Their expertise lies in managing the unconscious patient and making sure their breathing and all other physiologic functions are maintained. They continually monitor the patient’s level of anesthesia, vital signs and breathing throughout the treatment, never leaving them during the procedure. Although there is some risk associated with general anesthesia, it is safe when administrated by an appropriately trained anesthesiologist. Our pediatric dental surgeons are some of the most experienced in our country in providing dental treatment using general anesthesia. Our doctors have worked with our anesthesiology teams in their respective hospitals for almost twenty years, and now offer the same service within our ambulatory surgery facility.
Safety concerns for treatment using Sedation Dentistry
Our Brooklyn facility is the first of its kind – we are the only pediatric dental facility that has its own ambulatory surgery center, accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), the premier body governing the accreditation of office-based surgical facilities, and ensuring the highest quality standards in ambulatory surgery care. For treatment using sedation or general anesthesia, we have exceeded the required safety measures as recommended by the American Dental Association.
Consultation with Dr. Elan Kaufman – Expert in Pediatric Dental Treatment using Sedation
Dr. Kaufman’s distinguished training and extensive experience has made him one of the most sought after dentists in his field. Your consultation will include a review of your child’s dental history, including recent unsuccessful attempts at treatment. X-rays are not always necessary for this initial consultation but if you have them available please bring them with you. If any additional x-rays are required for more specific diagnosis, we will let you know at that time. Dr. Kaufman then combines this information to provide an accurate diagnosis and review of treatment options. He also takes the time to allow the parents and child to explain what is most important to them to achieve with their recommended treatment, and to answer any questions or address specific concerns that may arise during the visit. By working closely with each family, Dr. Kaufman develops an individualized plan of treatment for the patient.