The Benefits of Conscious Sedation
Unlike general anesthesia, with oral conscious sedation children are still able to breathe on their own and respond to verbal commands. Often children fall asleep because they are relaxed. All of the dental work is completed in one visit, making the experience easier on the child (and parent!).
We also recommend nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to help calm the anxious child. It is a mild sedative and patients are conscious and can talk during their dental visit. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects and is used routinely for many dental procedures.
Conscious Sedation Dentists are Licensed and Experienced
Dr. Bari is an expert in oral conscious sedation exclusively for children. In order to provide in-office oral conscious sedation, you must be specifically trained to perform these procedures and state-licensed. We have safely sedated thousands of children, allowing us to provide high-quality dental treatment while preventing a trip to a surgery center for general anesthesia.
Preparing for the Oral Sedation Medicine
What to expect: patients are asked to come to their appointment with no food or drink after midnight the night before their treatment. Having your child on an empty stomach allows for better uptake of the medication and minimizes their risk of the child feeling ill.
Oral Sedation Coupled with Laughing Gas
Typically it takes 1 hour for the medication to take effect and your child will become sleepy and tired. At this point, you will be separated from your child and the doctor will be with your child throughout the procedure. During the procedure, ensuring the patient’s safety is of the utmost importance. While a patient is sedated, we often use nitrous oxide paired with oxygen to help keep the patient calm. During the sedation, their blood oxygen level, breathing rate, and heart rate are closely monitored.
After the sedation, children are typically groggy and tired. Due to longer-lasting effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, a child shouldn’t go back to school or daycare after their procedure.
That night Dr. Bari will check-in to see how your child is doing, but if you have any questions or concerns you can always reach us at our office at 610-538-6080.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is one of the most commonly used types of mild sedation. It’s a sweet-smelling, colorless blend of gases that often goes by the name “laughing gas.” When inhaled, nitrous oxide creates feelings of well-being and peacefulness. This safe and easy treatment is a great option for most patients, especially children, and adolescents. To reverse the effects of nitrous oxide, all the patient needs to do is breathe deeply and calmly for a few moments. The effects should subside.
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