Sedation Dentistry For Kids

Say Goodbye To Anxiety, Fear, And Discomfort

If your child has dental anxiety, even a simple visit to the dentist for a cleaning or a filling can be super stressful for both you and your little one. But at Sidekick Smiles, Dr. Deep Shah is ready to be your child’s dental superhero! 

Thanks to his extensive training in pediatric sedation dentistry and gentle treatment approach, Dr. Deep can provide the care your child needs for a healthy smile. No more tears, no more fear, and no more pre-dentist meltdowns! Learn more below, or by calling us to discuss sedation options for your little one.

The Benefits Of Pediatric Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry has tons of benefits for patients of all ages, but especially for kids. Children are naturally a bit more nervous about getting dental care, especially if they need more extensive treatment like a filling, crown, or pulpotomy. Here are just a few of the benefits of choosing sedation dentistry in King of Prussia from Sidekick Smiles:

• Less stress and anxiety – Whether it’s for a routine visit, a filling, or anything else, sedation helps your child feel more comfortable, relax, and even forget most of what happens during their visit with Dr. Deep.
• Overcome fear of needles – Even if your child’s not scared of the dentist, they may have a hard time overcoming their fear of needles if they need their mouth numbed during treatment. Sedation can help!
• Enhanced cooperation – Sedation dentistry takes the edge off and helps kids settle down, so it’s an especially great option for kids who are hyperactive or may have trouble sitting still for a long time. This is particularly helpful for kids who may need multiple complex treatments in one sitting.
• Faster, more efficient care – Since your child will be able to relax during their visit, it will be easier for Dr. Deep to perform their treatment quickly and efficiently. That adds up to less time at the dentist!

Our Sedation Options For Kids

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

If your child’s just a bit nervous about their visit, nitrous oxide sedation (also called laughing gas) is the perfect option. Your child will simply breathe through a special scented nose mask which will help them relax and feel more comfortable. 

Once the nitrous oxide takes effect, your child will feel relaxed, happy, and a little bit disconnected from the things happening around them. However, they will be fully conscious and able to respond to commands and questions.

Oral conscious sedation

For kids who need a bit more help relaxing, we offer oral conscious sedation.

Oral conscious sedation has more efficacious effects than nitrous. Your child will be very relaxed and in a twilight state. It’s pretty common for kids to relax and close their eyes and forget most of what happens during their visit, creating a more positive experience!

IV sedation

IV sedation is the most comfortable level of sedation we provide at Sidekick Smiles. In this method, Dr. Shah has an anesthesiologist he works with to ensure your child is calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental work. Since some kids may be nervous or have trouble sitting still, IV sedation allows Dr. Deep and his team to perform the treatment more easily and comfortably. Unlike general anesthesia, with IV sedation, your child can breathe on their own and the recovery is a bit smoother as well.

FAQs About Pediatric Dental Sedation

Is sedation safe for kids?

Yes. Dr. Deep has years of training in pediatric dental sedation, so he knows how to administer sedative drugs safely and with maximum effectiveness. Our team will also meet with you to discuss your child’s health history, medication list, allergies, and other information before their sedation appointment.

How long will the sedative effects last?

This depends on the type of sedation you choose for your child. Feel free to reach out to Dr. Deep and the team at Sidekick Smiles with any questions or concerns. 

What procedures qualify for sedation?

If it would benefit your child, we can offer dental sedation for almost any visit to our office. Sedation is typically a great choice for dental procedures like fillings and crowns, but we also can offer it for cleanings and oral exams under certain circumstances.

With that being said, Dr. Deep’s gentle, patient, and child-friendly approach means that many kids are able to get basic dental care without sedation, even if they're scared of the dentist. Book a visit today to learn more, meet with Dr. Deep, and see how we do things differently at Sidekick Smiles!

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