Sedation Dentistry
Basic Behaviour Guidance
| Sedation Dentistry
General Anaesthesia
Sedation dentistry provides safe, comfortable dental treatment for patients with special needs. Sometimes called relaxation dentistry, sedation dentistry is a method of managing pain and anxiety during professional dental care through the use of medication.
You can benefit from sedation dentistry if you experience one or more of the following:
- High fear of dental care
- Complex dental problems
- Traumatic dental experiences
- Fear of needles and shots
- Trouble getting numb
- Sensitive teeth
The two most common types of sedation dentistry are:
Both of these methods work quickly and their effects are easily reversible, leading to a rapid and complete recovery.
Commonly asked questions about sedation
Is sedation on children safe?
Sedation is safe when administered by a trained pediatric dentist who follows the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Tang and Dr. Bellamy will discuss sedation options and patient monitoring for the protection of your child.
Does nitrous oxide sedation always work?
Every child is different. We recommended what we think will work best for your child. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is not effective for some children, especially those who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion, extensive treatment needs, or refusal to wearing a nasal mask. If a certain type of sedation fails, we can offer other methods that might work for your child.
What if conscious sedation fails?
If your child does not respond well to conscious sedation, he or she will likely require dental treatment under general anesthesia. This will be provided by a medical anaesthesiologist in an outpatient surgical facility.
What are the common side effects of conscious sedation?
Some common side effects include nausea and vomiting, hiccups and dizziness. Some children may become more emotional after the sedation due to the un-inhibition of their emotions. All of these side effects will fully subside when the sedative is worn off, which typically requires 2-4 hours.
