Treatment Options

Nitrous Oxide
Conscious Sedation
In-Office General Anesthesia

Nitrous Oxide

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as “laughing gas”, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. You child will choose a “flavor” of air to breath, your child will smell this “flavored air” allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective method to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.

Prior to your appointment:

• Please inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or medical condition.
• Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
• Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
• Please inform us if your child has had a recent ear infection.
• Please do not give your child a large meal before the visit (occasional nausea and vomiting occur with a full stomach).

In-Office General Anesthesia

General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in an in-office setting. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection. This procedure is done within a sedation suite in our office. The child is anesthetized under general anesthesia, which is administered and monitored by a board certified dentist anesthesiologist, Dr. Edward Davidian. Dr. Amy will perform the dental treatment for the patient

Prior to your appointment:

• Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
• You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
• Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
• DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD ANY FOOD OR DRINK (even water) after midnight prior to the scheduled day of treatment. This means NO BREAKFAST! An empty stomach is mandatory. This is to avoid vomiting and complications during treatment.
• The child's parent or legal guardian must remain in the reception room during the complete procedure. Parents are not allowed in the treatment room during the sedations.
• Dr. Amy REQUIRES that a second responsible adult come with you to the appointment to help you take care of your child upon driving home.

After the sedation appointment:

• Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
• If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
• If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
• Prior to leaving the office, you will be given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and emergency contact information if needed.