Sedation Dentistry

Imagine your child undergoing a complex dental treatment like a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery. When treatment is complete, your child will have no recollection of the time it took, the pain, the noise, or the discomfort. We are pleased to offer your child the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry. Our pediatric dental patients who benefit from sedation dentistry have:

• A fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
• A hard time sitting still for long periods of time
• A hard time getting (and staying) numb from anesthetics

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your pediatric dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for children who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

• No memory of undergoing the procedure
• No sense of time while under sedation
• No sense of smell or sound
• No fear or anxiety during treatment

Levels of Sedation

Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law, and there are three sedative states at which your child's dentist can administer treatment: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.

• Mild Sedation — Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for children with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Mild sedation is usually administered orally. Your child will remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and will be able to breathe normally, but he or she will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is another form of mild to moderate sedation that results in relaxation during treatment.
• Moderate Sedation — Used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures, conscious sedation often refers to the use of light IV sedation. With conscious sedation, your child will remain awake throughout the procedure, but will be in a deep state of relaxation.
• Deep Sedation — Patients receiving deep sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their dental procedure. Patients often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the procedure.

How are sedatives administered?

• Inhalation — Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so your child can resume normal activities immediately.

• Oral — An extremely common technique for dental treatment is oral sedation. The patient is given a small dose of medication at the time of their appointment, oftentimes referred to as “sleepy juice.” Your child will not be put to sleep, they will be in a relaxed state. Most children are very calm and comfortable during the procedure. Other children remain quite upset even though an adequate amount of sedation has been given. At the time of the exam, Dr. Wright will determine if your child is a good candidate for oral sedation.

• Nasal Sedation — Our nasal sedation offers the same sedative effects as oral sedation, but it is administered up the nose with a nasal spray.

• IV Sedation — In office general anesthesia is also offered. Dr. Wright has partnered with Board Certified Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Dr. Viola Devany of Safe Sedations LLC. Click the link for more information http://www.safesedations.com

• Hospital Sedation — General anesthesia performed in the hospital. Dr. Wright has privileges at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Treatment is performed at CCHMC Liberty Campus.

Please contact our practice to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for your child.