Sedation Dentistry

Richmond, VA

Imagine your child undergoing a complex dental treatment like a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery. When treatment is complete, your child will have no recollection of the time it took, the pain, the noise, or the discomfort. We are pleased to offer your child the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry. Our pediatric dental patients who benefit from sedation dentistry in Richmond, VA have:

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your pediatric dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for children who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

Levels Of Sedation

Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law, and there are three sedative states at which your child’s dentist can administer treatment: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.

1. Anxiouslysis With Inhalation Gas (Nitrous Oxide)

Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for children with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is a form of mild sedation that results in relaxation during treatment. It helps calm and relax your child, allowing their dental procedure to go much more smoothly. When nitrous oxide is breathed in continuously, it creates a mild, relaxing sedative effect. The nitrous oxide relaxes the child without putting them to sleep. The gas works almost immediately, with drowsiness setting in within the first two to three minutes. Nitrous oxide is given at a controlled rate throughout the whole procedure. Your child may feel a little lightheaded or tingly. It may also give them a giggly feeling, which is why it is sometimes referred to as “laughing gas”. It is the least invasive type of sedation used by dentists and is easily titrated or adjusted, depending on how a child responds to the gas. Additionally, it wears off within minutes after being turned off and leaves no residual effects. Children can resume normal activities right after a nitrous oxide restorative appointment.

2. Mild To Moderate Sedation With Oral Medicine & Nitrous Oxide

Used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures, conscious sedation often refers to the use of light sedation through drinking a liquid medicine. With conscious sedation, your child will remain awake throughout the procedure but will be in a slight state of relaxation. Your child will drink a sedative medication that will take 15 to 20 minutes to set in. Nitrous oxide will also be administered in conjunction with the sedative meds to maintain a state of relaxation. Your child will not be able to resume normal activities until the day after the sedation. In the office, oral conscious sedation is not for all ages (optimal for ages four and older). Oral conscious sedation also has a very high failure rate, and when children have large amounts of dental work, multiple sedations are required. Please talk to your pediatric dentist at Children’s Dentistry of Virginia in Richmond to determine the best sedation option for your child.

3. Deep Sedation/Full Anesthesia

At Children’s Dentistry of Virginia in Richmond we are pleased to offer two options for general anesthesia. Patients who are too young to undergo in-office conscious sedation (age three and younger) or who have extensive dental treatment needs and acute dental anxiety may require deeper sedation to restore their teeth to optimal oral health. Patients are completely asleep during the procedure and will have no recollection of the experience. They will wake up with all treatments completed, cavity-free. CDVA has general anesthesia privileges at Children’s Hospital at VCU Brook Road campus. CDVA also has an in-house dental anesthesiologist who can perform deep sedation at one of our office locations. Please talk to your pediatric dentist at Children’s Dentistry of Virginia in Richmond about what option is right for your child.

How Are Sedatives Administered?

Inhalation

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so your child can resume normal activities immediately.

Oral

An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. This procedure consists of your child drinking a sedative medication that is supposed to relax them for the dental procedure.

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for your child.

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We’re excited to meet you and give your children the healthy smile they deserve. We’ve created a relaxed and fun atmosphere so you can enjoy every minute of your visit!