Our Gentle Pediatric Sedation Dentist in Burtonsville & Laurel, MD
Your child's smile is precious to you, but how do you protect their smile when they don't sit still in the dentist's chair? At First Chair Dentistry, we offer pediatric sedation options to help your child feel calm and relaxed when they visit our office.
We are proud to serve the young residents of Burtonsville, Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George. Our friendly pediatric dental team has the advanced training necessary to provide sedation for your little one and for children with special needs.
We believe that your child's smile is as beautiful and unique as a fingerprint, and we genuinely care about helping them have a peaceful and positive experience every time they visit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about our Burtonsville pediatric sleep dentistry options.
CALL US: (301) 686-3080 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Is Children's Sedation Dentistry?
Children's sedation dentistry involves offering sedation to help children with behavioral or anxiety problems enjoy a calm experience when they visit the dentist. Our team is dedicated to helping your little one have a healthy, beautiful smile. We understand that sometimes children struggle to sit still during dental treatments, which is why we offer pediatric sedation options.
Dental anxiety and fear affect many people, regardless of age, but for children in particular, visiting the dentist can feel intimidating. Sedation helps to alleviate their anxiety and maximize their comfort throughout their dental services. We will review the sedation options available and provide any information you need regarding whether your child would benefit from our sedation options for children.
What Kinds of Sedation Are Available?
Our gentle team offers two options for pediatric sedation. We are equipped to provide nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. This is an extremely effective way to help your little one feel calm and peaceful during their appointment. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly and does not impair your child's motor skills or cognitive functions.
For children with severe anxiety or behavioral problems, we offer general anesthesia at our surgical center. This sedation option will allow your child to sleep through the entire procedure. Our friendly team will discuss how to help your child after the procedure, since the effects take a few hours to wear off and may leave them feeling groggy.
Our Pediatric Sleep Dentistry Process
Before we begin any exam of your child's teeth, jaws, or gums, our gentle dentist will have a conversation with you about your little one's needs. We will discuss their anxiety level, any behavioral problems, special needs, and their ability to sit still in the chair. Our team understands that each child is unique and deserves individual attention, which is why we take the time to understand their needs.
If you decide that nitrous oxide is the best sedation option for your child, we will administer the laughing gas through a soft plastic mask that fits comfortably over their nose. They simply inhale the nitrous oxide through their nose and experience a feeling of relaxation and calm during their dental visit.
If you choose general anesthesia for your child, we will discuss any allergies that your child has to narrow down the type of anesthesia that's best for your little one. This sedation option is only offered at our surgical center and is administered by a trusted anesthesiologist.
Regardless of which sedation option you choose for your child, you can trust that we have your little one's best at heart, and we will review all the aspects of both options with you in detail.
Children's Sedation Dentistry FAQs
We know that you want to understand any procedure or treatment that we suggest for your child. That's why we encourage you to ask questions and share your concerns. We're happy to provide the information you need to be empowered to decide the right course of treatment for your little one. Here are some of the most common questions we receive about sedation dentistry for children.
Yes. Sedation dentistry is safe for children and teens. We will review your child's medical history and anxiety level before we recommend any sedation options.
The side effects depend on the kind of sedation option you select for your child. Nitrous oxide has no side effects and wears off within minutes of the removal of the mask we administer the laughing gas through. General anesthesia does have some mild side effects, but they usually wear off within a few hours.
If your child cannot sit still in the dentist's chair or they suffer from dental fear or anxiety, pediatric sedation may be necessary to protect your child from injuring themselves during dental treatments. It also helps them to relax and enjoy a positive overall experience during their visit.
Our pediatric dentist will assess your child's anxiety levels, medical history, and the complexity of the procedure to determine if sedation is necessary.
Our pediatric sedation dentist will provide thorough instruction before administering any sedation. Some preparation steps may include fasting before the procedure and discussing the process in detail with your child to ease their anxiety.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is recommended, as it will help your child feel at ease during the procedure.
It varies, depending on the sedation used. Our dentist will provide specific post-sedation instructions, which may include waiting a certain period before eating.
With deeper levels of pediatric sedation, such as general anesthesia, your child may have little to no memory of the procedure. If they are only receiving nitrous oxide, they will often retain their memories of the treatment.
Sedation Dentistry for Children
Your little one can enjoy quality dental care without dental anxiety. At First Chair Dentistry, we care about your kid's peace of mind, and we offer sedation for children to maximize their comfort and help them enjoy a calm visit with our friendly dentist. Contact us today to schedule your child's appointment.
CALL US: (301) 686-3080 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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