As a conscientious parent, you want to be aware of and careful about what goes into your child’s body. Maybe you buy organic produce, and use environmentally friendly cleaning products at home to protect them, but you certainly care about the drugs they take. When it comes to IV sedation for dental work, you may be curious about what drugs your pediatric dentist may use. Keep reading to learn about why this option may be best for your child and two of the most common types for children.
When IV Sedation Should Be Used
You may want to consider IV sedation for your child in the following situations:
- Your child is having long or intensive work done and will likely struggle to sit still.
- Your child has special needs, physical, developmental, sensory, or otherwise, that could interfere with their treatment.
- Your child has severe dental anxiety.
If you aren’t sure whether your child could benefit from IV sedation, discuss your concerns with your pediatric dentist. They can explain the sedation options and help you identify the right choice for your child.
Drugs Commonly Used for IV Sedation for Kids
Midazolam: This drug is widely used in the dental industry as a strong sedative for both adults and children alike because of its powerful ability to reduce anxiety and its amnesiac effect. It is injected directly into the veins with results taking hold within three minutes, and it typically lasts about one to two hours. Midazolam is a great option because it has little impact on the heart and lungs, but it may cause hallucinations, uncontrollable speaking, disorientation, and other symptoms.
Propofol: Propofol is another injected drug to help adult and pediatric patients with anxiety that begins working within two minutes of administration. It is continuously given throughout the procedure, and the patient’s vitals need to be monitored because it may cause a drop in blood pressure. The upside is that this IV sedative tends to subside more quickly, allowing your child to return to normal activities sooner after the appointment.
If your child has sensitivities or allergies to certain medications, be sure you tell your pediatric dentist before the appointment. This information is essential to keep your kid safe throughout the procedure.
Regardless of the specific medication, your pediatric dentist will take a thorough medical history of your child so that they can choose the drug that will provide the proper sedation without putting your child’s health at risk. As a parent, you can advocate for your child to ensure they receive the best possible care.
About the Practice
KidSmiles Dental & Orthodontics takes advantage of several forms of sedation, including nitrous oxide and IV. Our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Neil Dean, has more than 20 years of experience and is a member of many professional organizations, such as the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and more. If you have questions about IV sedation, you can contact our team online or call our Flower Mound office at 972-884-5450.
