Patient comfort and well-being are essential to our dental practice. When children visit our office, we want them to feel comfortable and relaxed. Dental sedation is a safe option that we offer in-office for children who need long treatments or more relaxation during treatment. Our office provides sedation dentistry for children in Worcester, MA.
Inhalation sedation is one of the most common types of sedation we use and has no health risks for patients. General anesthesia is best for children 3 years and older. Anesthesiologist Dr. Patrick McCarty can administer dental sedation so children have relaxing and pain-free dental care. Our office uses sedation for children as part of our pediatric dental services.
What are the Benefits of Dental Sedation?
The advantages of sedation dentistry in our Worcester, MA office include:
- Stress-Free Dental Visits: Under sedation, your child will feel comfortable enough not to feel anxiety from treatment. Your child will feel comfortable and relaxed. This can lessen their stress when they regularly visit our office.
- Reduced Gag Reflex: Sedation is useful for patients with a poor gag reflex. This problem can make it hard for our team to work on patients. Under sedation, patients will not have gag reflex problems.
- Customized Care: Our experienced dentists can safely administer sedation for children. We control the level of sedation for each patient based on their size and weight. Our team has the experience and training to ensure your child stays safe.
- Improved Health: Sedation allows patients to get the dental care they need comfortably and safely. When patients avoid the dentist, they may not thoroughly clean their teeth and gums at home. With sedation, many patients who may have not gotten dental treatment can improve their oral health.
Why Do Patients Need Dental Sedation?
Some of the most common reasons for dental sedation or patients who benefit from sedation include:
Extreme Dental Fear
In some cases, just the idea of entering a dental practice can send a child into a panic attack. It can be difficult to see these patients regularly, so they don’t get the dental cleanings and exams needed to help prevent or catch dental issues in the early stages.
Unfortunately, when we see these patients, it’s because they have some sort of dental pain. General anesthesia is the best way to proceed with dental treatment and keep these patients at ease.
Special Needs Children
Children with certain physical or mental conditions may need specialized care. Patients with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down’s syndrome may benefit from sedation in Worcester. It may be the best way to provide quality care safely for the patient and the dental team.
Complex Dental Cases
Patients who need complex dental care can also benefit from this type of sedation. When patients are completely relaxed, our dental team can complete all necessary work in a shorter amount of time. Since the child is asleep, they won’t feel any pain or discomfort from the dental procedure.
Sedation Dentistry Services in Worcester, MA
Our dental office offers two types of sedation to help patients feel comfortable during treatment: nitrous oxide and general anesthesia.
Nitrous Oxide
Often called “laughing gas,” this is a mild sedative that helps patients relax. When you breathe in this colorless, slightly sweet-smelling gas through a small mask, it creates a calm feeling while keeping you fully awake. Kids can still talk and respond to the dentist and it wears off quickly after treatment. This safe option works well for patients who feel nervous but can cooperate during their appointment.
General Anesthesia
We offer general anesthesia for patients who need deeper sedation. This puts children into a controlled sleep during dental work. This is ideal for those who are very young, have special needs, or require extensive treatment.
A specially trained anesthesia provider carefully monitors the patient throughout the entire procedure to ensure safety. We recommend general anesthesia when other relaxation techniques aren’t as effective.
Our team will help determine which option works best based on your child’s age, health, and dental needs to ensure a comfortable experience.
Is Dental Sedation Safe for Children?
Yes, dental sedation is generally safe for kids when done by a trained dentist or specialist. Our dentist will choose the right type based on your child’s age, weight, and health.
We will monitor your child closely the entire time. If you’re concerned about sedation, we encourage you to talk to our office. We can explain how it works and what steps we take to keep your child safe during the dental visit. .
How to Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
Preparing your child for their dental visits can help them feel excited about the dentist. Before your child’s visit, you can:
- Roleplay being a dentist when you brush and floss your child’s teeth
- Read books about visiting the dentist
- Watch videos about dental visits
- Talk to your child about what to expect, but avoid using the words “hurt” or “pain”
- Schedule an office tour
Getting your child familiar with our office and the dentist will help them feel more comfortable at their dental visit. At your child’s visit, you can:
- Bring noise-cancelling headphones
- Sit in the same room as your child or have them sit on your lap (depending on age)
- Bring a stress ball, toy, or blanket
Our friendly dental team will ask your child questions about themselves and explain treatment to them in simple terms. We will also tell your child what we will do, show the tool or instrument, and perform the procedure gently.
This helps children know what to expect and reduces their fear of the unknown. We make dental cleanings in our Worcester, MA, office enjoyable for patients of all ages.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
We welcome you to learn more about sedation dentistry in our Worcester, MA, dental office with answers to these common questions:
How long does sedation last?
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, works quickly and its effects wear off just as fast. Your child will usually feel back to normal within a few minutes. Laughing gas will help your child relax during the procedure without leaving them with lasting reactions.
How do I know if sedation is right for my child?
Before treatment, we will check your child’s overall health, the type of dental procedure, and how anxious or nervous your child feels about the treatment. Sedation is a good option if your child has a lot of fear, needs a long or complex procedure, or struggles to sit still in the dentist’s chair. We will discuss the benefits and any risks to help you decide what’s best for your child.
How will sedation affect my child after a dental procedure?
Your child should feel normal pretty quickly after a dental procedure with nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The effects wear off within a few minutes once the gas is stopped. Your child might feel lightheaded or giggly right after, but these feelings go away fast. They should be able to return to their regular activities soon after the procedure without feeling tired or groggy.
Will my child be awake under laughing gas?
Yes, your child will be awake while using laughing gas (nitrous oxide). It helps them feel calm and relaxed during the dental procedure, but they stay conscious and can respond to the dentist.
Laughing gas doesn’t make them fall asleep; it just reduces anxiety and makes the experience more comfortable. Once the gas is turned off, they will feel back to normal quickly.
What should I do to prepare my child for dental sedation?
To prepare your child for dental sedation, explain what they can expect. Let them know it will help them relax and make the dental visit easier.
At our office, bring a favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal to help your child feel more at ease. Have your child wear loose and comfy clothes so they stay relaxed during the procedure. Your child may feel sleepy after sedation, so allow them to rest afterward.
How can I help my child recover after dental sedation?
Although nitrous oxide wears off quickly, your child might still feel sleepy. Allow them to rest for a short time after the appointment.
Make sure your child drinks some water to stay hydrated. This helps flush out any remaining effects of the gas. Once your child feels up to it, give them a light snack if hungry. Avoid sugary or hard-to-chew foods right away.
Keep an eye on how your child feels after the procedure. If they have any unusual symptoms or complaints, let us dentist know. Your child might feel a bit disoriented or giggly right after the sedation. Be patient and reassure them that this is normal and will pass soon.
Will dental sedation help my anxious child?
Yes, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can help your child feel relaxed and calm during the dental procedure without making them completely sleepy. The gas works quickly and wears off soon after the procedure is finished. It helps children who feel nervous about visiting the dentist, as it can make the experience more comfortable and less stressful.
Will my child need special monitoring under laughing gas?
Yes, your child will be monitored while using laughing gas (nitrous oxide). Our dentist will keep a close watch on your child’s breathing, heart rate, and overall comfort. He will also adjust the amount of gas and make sure your child stays safe throughout the procedure.
Contact Us For Comfortable Pediatric Treatment
Does your child have anxiety or dental fear? Call Children’s Dental Specialties for relaxing sedation dentistry in Worcester, MA, at (508) 625-5534. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website.
Please let us know if you have questions. We’re here to help.