At Drs. Davalos & Jones, it is our mission to help kids throughout the North Florida and South Georgia areas achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. We’re proud to offer a range of pediatric dental treatments to our patients. We work hard to foster a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment so every visit is a pleasant experience. For some kids, though, visiting the dentist is still just a little too much to handle – and that’s perfectly alright. For patients that have a hard time visiting the dentist, we’re happy to offer sedation dentistry options to allow for a more comfortable experience. Call or stop by our office for more information today!
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medications and controlled monitoring during dental treatment. Sedation is most commonly used during extensive procedures, for patients with dental phobia, or for patients who find it difficult to sit still. Our office offers nitrous oxide and IV conscious sedation and hospital dentistry. Sedation dentistry can range from the use of nitrous oxide to calm a patient to general anesthetics used to put patients to sleep, but this is only used in a hospital setting. Patients with dental phobia, low pain tolerance, major dental treatment, physical handicaps, or strong gag reflexes may require sedation. Procedures like fillings, crowns, and extractions often require sedation.
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is often used during a dental visit. The gas is administered with a mixture of oxygen and it has a calming effect that helps phobic or anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Because it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk
to their pediatric dentist during their visit. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects, although some patients may experience minor nausea and constipation. Our team will provide you with pre-and post-sedation instructions.
Conscious sedation is an option for children who are older (three years and above). This method may be indicated for children who have a high level of anxiety, and those requiring extensive dental treatment such as an extraction. Conscious sedation is a highly effective method that can be administered in oral form.
IV Deep Sedation is another sedation option offered for the nervous child who has extensive dental treatment needs. This option is best for comprehensive treatment plans because all the treatment is completed at one time. This sedation is administered by a Pediatric anesthesiologist credentialed to provide in-office IV sedation. We proudly work with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates, whose mission is to provide, safe, affordable, and convenient pediatric anesthesia care to children in the pediatric dental office-based setting
When Sedation May Make Sense
Sedation dentistry may be recommended in the following situations:
· A very anxious child
· A child needing complex treatment
· A child with prior traumatic dental experiences
· A child with a strong gag reflex
· A child with special needs
Special Needs Children & Dental Visits
Our pediatric dentist is an expert in helping kids feel safe and happy at the dentist’s office, but for some children, the dentist’s chair is still just a little bit too scary. For kids that struggle with dentist-related anxiety or fear due to a disability, autism, or specific need, sedation dentistry can be a comfortable and effective option. By using clinically-tested sedatives, we can help your child relax and feel comfortable during dental treatment. Drs. Davalos and Jones offer a wide range of options to fit your child’s needs. We have a solution for all children!
If you believe your child would benefit from sedation dentistry, call our dental office today! Dr. Jodi Davalos and her dental team will be more than happy to walk you through the details of sedation dentistry and answer any questions you may have. It is our goal to ensure that all children are confident and comfortable at the dentist, with a little sedation dentistry help, this can be possible! Schedule your next appointment at Drs. Davalos & Jones online or call us directly at (850) 893-5177.
We look forward to working with and helping your family!
