Children can get anxious during dental procedures. Thus, the dentist must ensure that the child receives treatment with ease and comfort. Sedation is one such option that helps in relieving the stress and anxiety of the child. Depending upon the complexity of the dental procedure, the level of sedation can differ.
It ranges from mild to profound, depending on the child’s needs. People in Burtonsville put a significant amount of emphasis on health. They also have easy access to advanced dental services like sedation.
Furthermore, children with special needs can also benefit from sedation. Sometimes, there might be dental procedures one after the other, which makes sedation paramount.
Children can get exhausted after going through different methods; sedation can be a relief from all the stress. There are various options available in sedation pediatric dentistry in Burtonsville, MD, for seeking proper treatment.
What are the different types of sedation options?
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One of the deep-level sedation is IV sedation
IV is short for Intravenous; it is a process of injecting medicine directly into the bloodstream. The child may not be able to recall the procedure once the treatment is done. It is only administered when the treatment is complex and extensive.
If the child has special needs or experiences severe anxiety during the treatment, then also the dentist can administer deep-level sedation like Intravenous. Only well-trained dentists in the field can use IV sedation. Such protocol is taken to ensure that the child gets the proper treatment and remains safe during the entire procedure.
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Another sedation used in pediatric dentistry is laughing gas or Nitrous oxide
It is relatively mild and is given to children through a mask. While in the case of IV sedation, the child becomes unconscious, nitrous oxide keeps the child awake. Children can even respond during their dental treatment. It helps calm children down and makes them more relaxed.
Furthermore, the gas’s effect goes away after turning the supply off. It is usually used in the case of dental procedures that are not so extensive and involve a mild level of anxiety. Nitrous oxide can be used for procedures like dental fillings. Parents are usually seen to be more comfortable with getting their child mild sedation over deep. The child remains calm without going to sleep.
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In case of complete unconsciousness, general anesthesia is given
Children in such a case do not remember anything about the procedure being done on them. They remain entirely unconscious. When other sedation options do not prove to be working efficiently, that is when general anesthesia is preferred. Moreover, if the procedure is complex and lengthy, then also it can be induced.
The importance of such sedation can be witnessed when the patient undergoes oral surgery. While giving anesthesia, a highly trained professional makes sure that the child remains completely safe throughout the procedure. Do not go for this option until or unless the child has an extensive dental procedure to go through. Nitrous oxide should work in mild cases.
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Giving sedation in a liquid form through a medicine
Another type of sedation is oral sedation. The medicine is given to the patient before their appointment with the dentist. It is considered to provide more relaxation than nitrous oxide but remains below deep sedation.
When the child requires more relaxation, then it is preferred. While the child might feel drowsiness, they stay awake throughout the procedure.
Ensuring safety for the child!
While sedation works for children to some degree, it is essential to ensure that they are safe throughout the procedure. Many safety protocols are taken by dentists while administering sedation. The dentist also consults the parents before going on with the treatment.
