Sedation Dentistry – Flower Mound, TX
Little Smiles, Big Relaxation
Going to the dentist is stressful for a lot of adults, so you can only imagine what some children go through. Fortunately, Dr. Dean and our team go out of our way to make every appointment a relaxing and fun experience. For children who need a little extra help relaxing in the dental chair, we offer sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry from our Flower Mound, TX dentist can be used to get rid of any nerves and make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Do you think your child could benefit from sedation? Contact us today to learn more about our options.
Why Choose KidSmiles Dental and Orthodontics for Sedation Dentistry?
- Team Led by Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Friendly Dental Team That Knows How to Soothe Children
- Different Sedation Options Customized to Your Child's Needs
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Better known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is perfect for children who need just a little help getting through their routine checkups and cleanings. A small mask (smells like bubblegum!) is placed over the nose, and the child breathes in an odorless mixture of gas and oxygen, which will cause any tension to leave their mind and body. The mask stays on throughout the appointment, and after it comes off, the child will feel completely normal in a matter of minutes.
Oral Conscious dental Sedation
For moderate dental anxiety, we can give your child a liquid “silly juice” that makes them feel drowsy and relaxed. They will still be awake and responsive but hopefully won’t notice the dental treatment being done. Your child will hopefully become drowsy and watch a movie, allowing the appointment to flow quickly and efficiently. You’ll need to keep an eye on them afterward as the medication wears off, which should be pretty easy because they’ll likely just want to chill out and relax.
IV Dental Sedation
If a child has extreme dental anxiety or needs to undergo a longer procedure, we can have a licensed anesthesiologist administer IV sedation. This method is extremely fast and potent, and even better, the amount of sedative a child is receiving can be adjusted throughout the appointment as needed, guaranteeing their comfort from moment to moment. Once the visit is over, your child will feel like they’ve just woken up from a long nap.
Children’s Dental Sedation FAQs
When it comes to caring for little smiles, we’re proud to offer big relaxation with sedation dentistry for kids. Our dental sedatives are reliable, effective, and have been rigorously tested for safety. However, it’s only natural to have some questions about them! For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions about children’s sedation dentistry below so you can learn more. As always, if you don’t see the information you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Kids?
When administered by a highly trained and experienced pediatric dentist like Dr. Dean, sedation dentistry is extremely safe for kids. Dr. Dean will review your child’s medical history and general health, and he will go over any concerns you may have. With this information, he’ll be able to tell you if dental sedation is a good choice for your child and which option would be most effective.
Throughout the entire appointment, our skilled team will be monitoring your little one’s safety and well-being. Sedation from nitrous oxide can be adjusted at any time, and oral conscious sedation is given in precise doses based on your child’s needs. IV sedation is powerful, which is why we bring in a licensed anesthesiologist to administer it, and we can even offer hospital dentistry where your little one can essentially sleep through their treatment in the safest environment possible.
How Long Does Sedation Dentistry Last?
Recovery times vary between the different types of dental sedation. For IV sedation and hospital dentistry, you can typically expect your child to feel sleepy or out of it for several hours, if not the rest of the day. Oral conscious sedation is less intense, so it will wear off sooner, often within a few hours after the appointment. Lastly, nitrous oxide sedation generally wears off within moments of removing the nose mask. In fact, they should feel completely back to normal after just a few minutes, meaning they can return to the rest of their day without interruption.
Will Sedation Dentistry Make My Child Feel Sick?
Side effects are not typical for sedation dentistry, but some children may feel slightly nauseous afterwards. It’s rare for children to encounter nausea after nitrous oxide sedation, slightly more common for oral conscious sedation, and somewhat more likely after IV sedation or hospital dentistry. Before your child’s appointment, we will give you specific instructions on how to help minimize your child’s chances of not feeling well afterwards. If your little one does feel nauseous after their appointment, don’t panic. In most cases, this feeling will wear off by the end of the day with plenty of rest.
Is Dental Sedation for Kids Covered by Dental Insurance?
Coverage for sedation dentistry varies from one insurance company to the next. Some insurance plans offer little or no coverage for dental sedation, but others may cover a higher percentage of the cost in particular circumstances, such as a length procedure. You’ll need to check with your insurance provider to understand exactly what you can expect to be covered. Navigating the details of dental insurance can be challenging, but our talented administrative staff have years of experience doing so and will ensure that your benefits are being maximized.
