Dental Sedations

It is no secret that going to the dentist can be a frightening experience for some individuals. While our team does everything possible to ensure that your child is comfortable during their visit, we also offer sedation dentistry to ensure an anxiety-free experience. Sedation dentistry is only intended to reduce your child’s anxiety and fear during their visit. There are different forms of sedation dentistry provided and it is administered based on the parent’s preference, as well as the type of procedure, level of anxiety, and the condition of your child.

At Blooming Smiles, our team is highly experienced in sedation dentistry. We understand the struggles that some children have with dental visits, which is why some parents choose sedation dentistry. If your child is in need of dental work and you are interested in the different types of sedation dentistry that we offer, feel free to contact our office to speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members or schedule an appointment. We offer sedation dentistry in Northridge and Woodland Hills.

When is Dental Sedation Used?

Dental sedation may be used for a variety of reasons. For instance, very young children are often unable to sit still for a certain period of time, therefore, sedation allows the dentist to perform high-precision procedures safely and effectively. In addition, some children struggle with anxiety during dental visits, so sedation can help them cope and feel more relaxed during their procedure. Also, sedation is often used for children with special needs. Sedation helps to prevent sudden movement and also is helpful for cooperative behavior. Whatever the case is, it’s important to discuss your child’s personality with your pediatric dentist. Our team will do everything possible to ensure your child receives the dental care they need in a stress-free environment. Contact us today for dental sedation in Northridge or Woodland Hills!

Types of Dental Sedation

At Blooming Smiles, we offer different forms of dental sedation in Woodland Hills and Northridge, such as:

Nitrous oxide: Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as “laughing gas” is administered through a mask that is placed over the patient’s nose. The nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen, which allows the patient to breathe comfortably and normally (in through the nose and out through the mouth). Laughing gas relaxes patients immediately and produces happy and euphoric behavior. Laughing gas also wears off in minutes, which makes it a predictable and effective form of sedation, allowing the patient to resume normal activities by the time the treatment is done.

Oral sedation: Oral sedatives come in many different forms (pills, tablets, and liquids) and may make the patient drowsy. Sometimes, the dentist may require parents to prepare the child at home prior to the appointment, such as limiting food and fluids, and preparing to stay with the child for hours after the appointment. Every situation is different and is dependent on the type of oral sedative taken. 

General Anesthesia / IV sedation: In the rare cases where laughing gas and oral sedation may not be enough, general anesthesia may be recommended. An anesthesiologist will put your child to sleep like they would for other medical treatments like getting ear tubes placed or tonsils removed. Since children are asleep during the treatment, they do not remember the experience.