Happy Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for your child’s teeth. Your child’s response to their dental experiences can make a lasting impression – a positive experience will help your child feel confident when visiting a dentist. Some children may be unable, because of fear or inability to cope with dental treatments, or may make uncontrolled movements that could cause injury to the child. Others may develop such a fear that they will have trouble cooperating during future visits or even refuse treatment. These children may be more comfortable and safe with some level of sedation.

• Nitrous oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a very safe sedative that allows a mildly nervous child to become calm but still awake and able to talk to the dentist. A mask is placed over the child’s face and as they breathe through their nose, the child relaxes. The effects wear off very quickly when the gas is turned off.
• Oral conscious sedation: If a child’s anxiety level cannot be soothed with nitrous oxide, using conscious sedation will cause the child to be drowsy or even to fall asleep. Depending on the treatment required and the child’s ability to cooperate, several different conscious sedation medications are available. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting, which can be minimized by following specific eating and drinking directions before and after sedation.
• General anesthesia: If the dental treatment is extensive or difficult and the child cannot be calm enough or is unable to understand directions to tolerate the treatment, general anesthesia in an outpatient hospital may be recommended. General anesthesia will allow the child to remain asleep during the procedure and not feel any pain or remember the treatment. The child will be very drowsy after the procedure and must be monitored by an adult for the remainder of the day.