Two Types of Sedation for Your Child’s Comfort
Every patient has unique needs. If your child’s primary concern is anxiety, a milder sedative like nitrous oxide may be helpful. If your child has extensive treatment needs, dentistry performed under a general anesthetic may be the best option for your child. Consult with our experienced pediatric dentist to determine the right sedation options for your child’s unique needs.
Nitrous oxide: Mild Sedation Offered In-Office
Nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is a mild sedative that may be used to help your child relax during dental treatment. It has a rapid onset, is very safe and well tolerated, and is non-allergenic.
The gas is administered painlessly via inhalation, through a fitted, scented mask that is placed over your child's nose. Your child is fully conscious and is able to respond to questions or requests during dental treatment. At the end of treatment, its effects are reversed by breathing oxygen for a short period.
The benefits of nitrous oxide include helping alleviate your child's dental anxiety, increasing the pain threshold, making the time pass quickly, helping minimize the gag reflex, and keeping the dental visits positive. Nitrous oxide may not be effective for everyone, including children with severe anxiety, nasal congestion or discomfort wearing a nasal mask.
Please note, there is an added cost to using nitrous oxide that will be provided on the estimate given to you prior to commencing treatment.
General Anesthesia: Available at Three Local Hospitals
General anesthesia may be recommended for children with extensive dental needs, children who cannot tolerate treatment with nitrous oxide, or children with special health care needs.
General anesthesia uses medications to produce a controlled state of unconsciousness, commonly referred to as "being asleep". Your child will not feel any pain or remember anything during dental treatment under general anesthesia.
As a specialist, Dr. Coutu has privileges at three hospitals in the Okanagan region: Shuswap Lake General Hospital, Vernon Jubilee Hospital, and the Summerland Health Centre. This allows her to serve patients from all over the interior of BC and the Okanagan Valley, and results in relatively short wait times for surgery. Please get in touch to inquire about our wait times.
Sedation Options Can Help Your Child Feel Safe
At Happy Teeth, we strive to provide children with a positive experience at the dentist. We understand that every child has unique needs, and we’ve made it our mission to adapt our approach to accommodate as many patients as possible.