Restorative treatment (fillings, crowns, etc.) or oral surgery procedures can produce anxiety that limits cooperation or prevents the child from receiving needed care. We offer different options that will be reviewed with you at the examination appointment.
A highly effective and safe technique is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Ideal for the mild to moderately anxious child, nitrous oxide is well received by most children.
For very young (pre-cooperative) patients and special-needs children, treatment cannot be provided using traditional methods such as positive reinforcement or tell-show-do. In these cases, the pediatric dentist may recommend oral medicine to relax your child. The child will still be awake, but can better tolerate simple, short procedures.
When treatment cannot be provided using the above techniques, the pediatric dentist may recommend your child be “put to sleep”. Many times the young patient must receive general anesthesia in the hospital setting. We offer the convenience of having the anesthesiologist come to our office. He manages the child’s medication with constant monitoring while all dental procedures are done in one visit.