Children’s Sedation Dentistry

We understand that dental visits can be daunting for children. But here at NY Center for Aesthetic and Laser Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing a serene and comfortable environment for your child’s dental care.

Our highly skilled team, led by Dr. David J. Poiman, is adept in various sedation methods to ensure that your child’s dental experience is painless and anxiety-free. Our sedation options are safe, effective, and tailored to suit your child’s specific needs. Call our office today to learn more!

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry for Children

For children who experience anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry can provide a valuable solution.

Sedation dentistry can help your children in many ways:

• Reduces anxiety and fear: This allows children to receive necessary dental care without stress or discomfort.
• Helps all ability levels: Sedation is especially helpful for children with special needs who need extra help sitting still.
• Calms wiggles: Sedation can help calm all the anxiety-filled ticks and wiggles so your child’s dental work is much more effective.
• Keeps kids safe: This anxiety-reducing treatment also ensures the safety and well-being of your child during dental treatments so they don’t flinch into harm’s way.
• Lasts long enough for any procedure: Dental sedation is suitable even for extensive dental treatments and complex procedures.
• Provides a happy atmosphere: Dental sedation promotes a stress-free dental experience and can help kids develop a positive attitude toward oral health.
• Helps develop good dental habits: When children are relaxed and enjoying their dental visits, it helps them develop lifelong healthy dental habits.

Call our Manhattan dental office today to learn more about children’s dental sedation and schedule your child’s checkup!

Our Dental Sedation Options for Kids

We have several sedation dentistry options for our adult and child patients alike—from light conscious sedation up to general anesthesia. In most cases, we prefer to use conscious sedation.

Conscious sedation is a method used to create a relaxed and anxiety-free experience for children undergoing dental procedures. It involves using medication to sedate the child so that they are drowsy and calm but still conscious.

There are various medications and methods for conscious sedation, including oral sedatives, nitrous oxide, or a combination. The choice of sedation will depend on the child’s level of anxiety, the procedure, and their health history.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is widely regarded as a very safe sedative for children. Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas, is a conscious sedation method easily inhaled through the nose. The gas is mild and helps manage pain and anxiety.

Before the procedure, a small mask is placed over your child’s nose, and they will be asked to breathe normally. The nitrous oxide will take effect within a few minutes, and your child may feel light-headed or experience a tingling sensation in their arms and legs. Some children describe the feeling as floating.

What makes nitrous oxide an excellent choice for children:

• They will still be relaxed enough to get their teeth looked at, but awake enough to communicate and follow instructions.
• The effects of nitrous oxide take effect quickly and wear off shortly after the mask is removed, meaning your child can return to their regular activities after the appointment.
• Our dental team will monitor your child throughout the procedure to ensure their safety.

Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedatives are medications given by mouth in the form of a pill. They are usually given before the appointment, and they make the child drowsy.

What makes oral conscious sedation a great choice for your children:

• This medicine is administered before the appointment, so your child can be relaxed the whole time they are at our office.
• They can still respond to touch and voice. Their vital signs will be closely monitored by our trained staff to ensure their safety.
• Oral conscious sedation is particularly useful for children who have a high level of anxiety, have special needs, or are undergoing a lengthy procedure.

General Anesthesia

Unlike the other forms of sedation, general anesthesia puts the child fully into a deep sleep; the child is completely unaware of their surroundings or the dental procedure being performed. This is usually reserved for extensive dental procedures or situations where other forms of sedation are not suitable.

General anesthesia is administered by a trained anesthesiologist. It involves using medications that are inhaled through a breathing mask or administered through an IV. During the procedure, the child’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vital signs are closely monitored.

What makes general anesthesia a good choice for children’s dentistry:

• It allows ensures they are completely unconscious and unaware, and they do not experience pain during complex or lengthy dental procedures.
• It enables dental professionals to perform multiple treatments in a single session, reducing the need for multiple appointments and minimizing the overall stress for the child.
• General anesthesia allows the dental team to work efficiently while ensuring the child’s safety and well-being throughout the procedure.

While general anesthesia is safe when administered by a trained professional, parents and patients must follow pre-operative instructions carefully, such as fasting guidelines.

Easing Into Dental Visits: A Parent’s Guide

Before stepping foot into the dentist office, parents play a crucial role in setting the stage for a positive dental experience for their children. At the NY Center for Aesthetic and Laser Dentistry, we emphasize the importance of early preparation. By integrating simple, parent-led strategies at home, you’re not just preparing for a visit to our family dentistry practice; you’re instilling lifelong positive attitudes toward oral health. Here’s how you can partner with us, your trusted family dentist, to ensure a smooth and cheerful visit:

• Storytime Insights: Choose books that portray visits to the family dentist in a fun and adventurous light, making the concept of general dentistry exciting for your child.
• Role-Play Fun: Turn dental care into a game at home. Encourage your child to be the dentist with their toys as patients, familiarizing them with the general dentist’s role in a playful manner.
• Positive Language: Speak about the dentist office using positive and encouraging words. Our general dentistry team, led by our compassionate family dentist, is dedicated to making every visit enjoyable.
• Family Appointments: Lead by example. Schedule your dental checkups alongside your child’s to show them that visiting the general dentist is a normal part of health care for everyone.
• Stay Calm and Reassure: Children often pick up on their parents’ emotions. Stay relaxed and reassure them that our dentist office is a safe and friendly place, filled with professionals who care about their well-being.

By weaving these strategies into your preparations for visiting our family dentistry practice, you’re not only easing your child’s path to our dental office but also reinforcing the valuable work of our family dentist and general dentistry team. Let’s work together to make dental health a positive, integral part of your family’s life. Reach out today to discover more about our approach to child-friendly dental care.

Give Your Child a Stress-Free Dental Experience!

Ensure your child’s dental experience is calm and pain-free. Schedule an appointment at our Manhattan pediatric dental practice today. Our dedicated team at NY Center for Aesthetic and Laser Dentistry is here to provide the best sedation options tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring a positive and stress-free dental experience.