Dental Sedation Options For Children

Is Sedation Right for Your Child?

Every child is different, and some simply feel more anxious or afraid about visiting the dentist than others do. This is understandable, as even adults sometimes find visiting the dentist can be a bit intimidating! The unfamiliar surroundings, the mysterious, cold metal tools, and the big chair can all be a bit much for kids.

The dentists and team at Smile Town Langley always do their best to make children feel comfortable, by giving them a tour of the our practice, and always providing the gentlest care possible, with plenty of distractions. But for some children, these methods aren't sufficient to quell their anxiety.

Some children, on the other hand, may have special needs that can't be overcome with the usual calming techniques, games, or quiet persuasion.

For children who need more than these common methods in order to undergo dental care calmly and comfortably, we offer some safe and effective sedation and anesthesia options.

Sedation is safe for kids. Our pediatric dentists have received comprehensive, in-depth training in the administration of sedation medications, and our team will thoroughly discuss all the different sedation options for your child with you ahead of time.

Special Needs

According to Statistics Canada, there are over 155,000 kids in Canada living with disabilities. Parents of children with special needs can sometimes feel uneasy about visiting the dentist with their children, but it's very important not to delay preventative dentistry.

Our caring team is experienced in working with children with special needs, and this fact, in combination with the safe and effective sedation options we offer, means that no matter what their needs, your children can receive quality dental care. > Learn More

Sedation Options For Children

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen, and is also sometimes known as 'laughing gas'. This sedation option calms nervous and anxious patients, but does not in any way hinder their natural reflexes, or render them unconscious. The patients will still be able to talk and interact with the people around them.

Nitrous oxide is does not have any addictive qualities, and it's effects wear off quite quickly. However, it is a very effective sedative because not only does it relax patients, it also blunts pain and affects patients sense of time. This makes the dental procedure seem to go by much faster than it really does.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral Conscious Sedation actually refers to a range of different medications that achieve a similar effect. The dentist will discuss all the available options with you ahead of time, and together, you'll make a choice based on your child's needs.

Patients who are under the effects of oral conscious sedation don't typically become unconscious. Rather, they become relaxed and drowsy enough to drift off into a light sleep. Many oral conscious sedation patients don't have any recollection of their treatment at all. The effects of oral conscious sedation typically wear off after about 2-6 hours.

General Anesthesia

Anesthesia renders patients completely unconscious. We may recommend anesthesia for children with limited comprehension, physical hanicaps, extreme behaviour challenges, or who are exceptionally sensitive to pain.

Anesthesia is also usually used for dental procedures that are very complex technically, that take a long time, or any procedure that would be difficult to perform on a conscious patient.