Types of Sedation
Most dental procedures in children are completed using local anesthesia. However, very young, fearful or uncooperative children may also require some sedation.

Your child’s pediatric dentist will discuss with you the various options that are available. Pediatric dentists continue their education 2 to 3 years beyond dental school and are trained in the safe administration of sedation to children in the dental office environment. Depending upon your child’s health history, temperament, age and dental care needs your pediatric dentist will recommend to you the type of sedation that is best for your child.

Before the Procedure

If your Pediatric dentist (View Affiliated Dentists) recommends IV sedation, our office staff will call you to  discuss your child’s current medical history, give you pre-sedation information and instructions, and discuss the IV sedation procedures with you. Our pediatric anesthesiologist reviews each child’s medical history and may call you if more information is needed about your child. Children with special or complex medical conditions may need to have their dental procedures at the hospital under general anesthesia.

When considering a medical or dental procedure for your child, you deserve to have all of your questions answered and all of your concerns addressed prior to the procedure. Please feel free to our office to discuss your child’s procedure; we can also arrange a preoperative visit with the pediatric anesthesiologist at your pediatric dentist’s office.

Should you decide to have IV sedation for your child, all scheduling and initial financial arrangements are handled at your pediatric dentist’s office. 

Preoperative Instructions

Please follow the preoperative instructions carefully. Your child should not eat for 6 hours or drink clear liquids for 3 hours prior to the procedure.   A period of fasting is necessary to make sure the stomach is empty.  Sedative medications can relax the normal protective reflexes.  A sedated  child with a full stomach can regurgitate food or fluid into the throat and then into the lungs. If you do not follow these instructions, your child’s IV sedation will be cancelled.

Your child will need your undivided attention for the first 3 to 4 hours after the procedure. It is advisable to bring another adult with you to help with your child on the way home. Please make arrangements for your other children.

Dress your child in shorts or loose pants and bring a change of clothes and a small blanket.

If your child develops a COLD (upper respiratory infection) please call the anesthesiologist's office.

On the Day of the Procedure

When you arrive for your child’s procedure, your child will be weighed and the nurse will perform a brief physical exam and review your child’s after-care/ discharge instructions with you.

Dr. Stone examining a child.
After all your questions are answered, you will be asked to sign the IV sedation consent.

Sedative medications are given as an intramuscular or intravenous injection that works quickly and reliably within a few minutes.  You may hold and comfort your child until the sedative takes effect.  Your child may not remember the injection or the office visit.

Please do not tell your child about the needle. Most children have difficulty coping with the anxiety this information provokes. In our experience, children who have been told ahead of time about the needle react more vigorously, cry longer and are more difficult to comfort. Let our staff talk to your child about the injection.



The usual effects of the initial sedative

During the Procedure

	A controlled sedative infusion is started and continued throughout the dental treatment  (Pulse oximeter sensor on the big toe monitors child’s pulse and oxygen level)
An IV is placed in the foot

	Nitrous oxide in oxygen provides your child mild pain relief for the minor discomfort associated with the dental treatment. The pediatric dentist uses local anesthesia (numbing medicine) as well to prevent pain.
Nitrous oxide nose-mask and placement of local anesthesia

At the end of the Procedure  At the end of the dental treatment, the IV medicine is turned off, and  the IV and monitors are removed as your child begins to awaken.
	It usually takes about about 30 to 60 minutes before your child will be ready to travel home.
Your child may be sleepy and dizzy for 3 to 4 hours.

Numbness in the mouth may upset young children. Nausea and vomiting are rare. If your child experiences any unexpected symptoms such as fever or bleeding, call your pediatric anesthesiologist.

Expect a call from us later in the day to check on your child’s progress.