Sedation and Anesthesia Options for Children
What Types of Sedation Do We Offer?
At Little Champions, we know every child is different. Some kids
At Little Champions, we know every child is different. Some kids are calm in the dental chair, while others need a little extra help. That’s why we offer three levels of in-office sedation—minimal (laughing gas), moderate (oral medicine), and deep (intravenous sedation with pediatric anesthesiologists). And if your child isn’t a candidate for these, we can also provide full hospital-based general anesthesia to make sure their care is always safe.
The best way to know what your child needs is to come in for a consultation with our pediatric dentist. At that appointment, we’ll complete a thorough evaluation of your child’s dental needs and review their medical history. From there, we recommend the safest and most appropriate option—whether that’s minimal, moderate, or deep sedation—based on their age, medical background, and the extent of care required.
are calm in the dental chair, while others need extra support. That’s why we offer three levels of in-office sedation—minimal, moderate, and deep—and, if needed, full hospital-based general anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide (Minimal Sedation)
Nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” is a safe and gentle form of minimal sedation. It’s best for children who have mild anxiety but are still able to cooperate with guidance. It helps them relax while staying fully awake, and the effects wear off quickly after the mask is removed, so kids can return to normal activities right away.Dr. Abarca has been using nitrous oxide for the safety of his patients since 2011.
Oral Sedation (Moderate Sedation)
For children who have more anxiety or need several teeth treated, we may recommend oral sedation. This involves giving your child a safe, prescribed medicine to drink before their appointment. Oral sedation helps them feel calm, drowsy, and comfortable during treatment while still awake enough to respond.
Intravenous Sedation (Deep Sedation)
When a child needs more extensive dental care, we offer intravenous sedation in our office. A board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist administers the sedation and monitors your child’s safety the entire time, while our dental team focuses completely on their treatment. This option provides a deeper level of relaxation and is ideal for children with higher anxiety or larger treatment needs.
General Anesthesia (Hospital-Based)
If a child is not a candidate for in-office sedation, we can provide full general anesthesia in a hospital setting. This ensures the highest level of safety for children who need significant dental care and cannot be treated effectively in the office. Under general anesthesia, your child is fully asleep and comfortable while treatment is completed. At Little Champions, we perform hospital-based treatment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, working alongside a dedicated pediatric anesthesia team to make sure your child receives the safest possible care.
NOTE: The majority of our patient's parents tell us that by the same evening or the next day, the patient are themselves. To achieve and maintain these results we recommend that all patients having treatment in the hospital are excused from physical activities for two days.
Why Might My Child Need to Be Sedated?
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Reduce fear and anxiety so treatment feels easier
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Protect the developing psyche, so children do not form lasting negative associations with dental visits
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Allow longer or more complex dental care to be completed in one visit
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Keep young children comfortable when they are not yet able to fully cooperate
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Ensure a safe and positive experience for both your child and our dental team
Sedation is never a “one-size-fits-all” approach. We carefully consider your child’s age, medical history, and dental needs before recommending the safest and most appropriate option.
You may be wondering why children sometimes need dental fillings or crowns?
Baby teeth are in the mouth from as young as six months of age up to twelve-years of age. Those teeth are necessary in order to: preserve space for the next teeth, provide a chewing surface, and guided jaw bone growth.
Dental cavities start as painless process in which tooth structure is lost. If not treated early, cavities can lead to pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
Restoring damaged teeth can obviously help improve your child’s appearance – but it also has functional advantages as well. For example, if a cavity isn’t filled, it will continue to grow larger and eventually cause pain whenever your child eats or drinks anything hot or cold. In addition, untreated cavities can lead to infections which could require antibiotics or even surgery down the road.
By taking care of these problems early on, you can help your child avoid a lot of pain and suffering – not to mention costly dental bills later on down the road.
Table of Contents:
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What Are the Benefits of Restorative Dental Treatment for Children?
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How Does Restorative Dental Treatment Help Children Develop Properly?
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What Types of Procedures Are Available to Restore a Child's Teeth?
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How Can Parents Ensure Their Child Receives Quality Restorative Care?
Why Do Children Need Restorative Dental Treatment?
Children can need restorative dental treatment for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is tooth decay.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid. This acid can eat away at the enamel, or hard outer layer of the tooth. If the decay is not caught early, it can spread to the dentin, or inner layer of the tooth. Decay can also cause cavities.
Cavities are holes in the teeth that can become infected. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the pulp, or the center of the tooth. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels. An infection in the pulp can be very painful. It can also cause the tooth to die. If the tooth dies, it will need to be removed.
Restorative dental treatment can help children keep their teeth healthy and prevent further damage.
Other reasons children may need restorative dental treatment include:
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Oral injuries
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Problems with tooth development
What Are the Benefits of Restorative Dental Treatment for Children?
There are many benefits to restorative dental treatment for children. First, it can help to improve their overall oral health.
Second, it can help to prevent further damage to their teeth. Third, it can help to improve their appearance.
Finally, it can help to improve their self-esteem.
How Does Restorative Dental Treatment Help Children Develop Properly?
As we mentioned, children often need dental restoration due to cavities or decay. When this happens, Dr. Marvin will usually recommend a filling or a crown. In some cases, a child may need dental surgery.
The benefits of pediatric restorative dentistry include:
Restoring the function of the tooth, preventing further decay or damage, and improving the child's appearance.
Restorative Pediatric Dentistry services include:
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Composite Fillings “White Fillings”
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White Crowns
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Pulpotomy
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Space Maintainers
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Laser Dentistry
What Types of Procedures Are Available to Restore a Child’s Teeth?
Having a healthy smile is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for children. While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in a child’s development.
Baby teeth help children learn to speak clearly and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for adult teeth.
That’s why it’s important to take care of baby teeth and to treat them when they become damaged. There are many different types of procedures available to restore a child’s teeth including fillings, crowns, pulpotomies and more.
How Can Parents Ensure Their Child Receives Quality Restorative Care?
It's important for parents to ensure their child receives quality restorative care. This type of dental care can help to prevent further damage to the teeth and gums, and can also help to improve a child's overall oral health.
Here are a few tips on how parents can ensure their child receives quality restorative care:
1. Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups.
It's important to take your child to the dentist for regular check-ups. This will allow the dentist to catch any problems early and to provide the necessary treatment.
2. Choose a Reputable Dentist.
When choosing a dentist for your child, be sure to select one who is experienced in providing quality restorative care.
3. Ask About the Dentist's Experience in Treating Children.
It's important to find a dentist who has experience in treating children. This will ensure that the dentist is familiar with the unique needs of children and can provide the best possible care.
4. Ask About the Dentist's Training in Restorative Care.
It's important to find a dentist who has received training in restorative care. This type of training will ensure that the dentist is able to provide the best possible care for your child.
5. Ask About the Dentist's Policies on Payment.
It's important to find a dentist who offers payment plans that are affordable for you and your family. This will allow you to pay for the care your child needs without having to worry about financial stress.
Key Takeaway: It's important for parents to ensure their child receives quality restorative care by scheduling regular dental check-ups, choosing a reputable dentist, and asking about the dentist's experience and training.