Sedation for Pediatric Dental Care in Nashville, TN
We help your child feel calm and relaxed at Green Hills Pediatric Dentistry.
Is it nearly impossible to get your child to go to the dentist or sit in the dental chair? Does your little one need treatment but is extremely afraid? You may wait for them to get older and hope things improve, but it may be too late by then. Kids form habits from a young age, and dental fear may follow them into adulthood.
Our children’s dental services in Nashville, TN at Green Hills Pediatric Dentistry include sedation dentistry so that your little one gets the treatment they need in a caring environment. Dr. Brittany eases your child into dentistry through gentle, safe, and predictable sedation medicine, ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to general anesthetics.
Pediatric sedation dentistry is ideal for:
Kids and parents benefit from pediatric sedation dentistry because it makes visits faster, more effective, without compromising comfort, and allows for higher quality treatment with lasting results. The American Dental Association endorses sedation dentistry for children, and our practice in Nashville, TN uses it to create better dental visits.
Your child can feel like a superstar by overcoming dental fear and anxiety with the help of sedation dentistry.
Whether it’s a routine appointment or treatment, sedation helps children feel relaxed while getting the care they need.
We recommend the best sedative after getting to know your child and based on their specific needs, and our trained dentist administers and monitors it closely.
Going to the dentist is an integral part of optimal oral and overall health. For children unable to sit through appointments, Green Hills Pediatric Dentistry in Nashville, TN may recommend a safe sedative.
We have different pediatric sedation options available:
- Nitrous Oxide
More commonly known as laughing gas, we administer this sedative using a breathing mask over the nose. While it’s mild and your child stays awake, it creates an instant feeling of euphoria and relaxation. It’s ideal for dental anxiety or fear, and our dentist may use this in conjunction with an anesthetic during treatment. This also suppresses the gag reflex, which is helpful when working in a child’s much smaller mouth.
- Oral Sedation
Another mild sedative option is available in three gentle, non-invasive forms (pill, liquid, or intranasal), depending on your child’s needs. The medication is administered in our office, and once the medicine starts working, your child may feel drowsy but anxiety-free. There are different oral sedatives available with varying strengths, and our dentist chooses the one that’s best for your child’s specific needs.
- In-office general anesthesia
We use NOBA (Nashville Office Based Anesthesia) and board-certified dental anesthesiologists to safely provide general anesthesia in the comfort and convenience of our own office.
- Hospital-based general anesthesia
Dr. Brittany has hospital privileges at Centennial Women’s and Children’s Hospital as well as Tri Star Hendersonville Hospital to offer hospital-based general anesthesia when needed. This deep sedation is beneficial for complex procedures or for children who can’t cooperate during their treatment due to age or medical conditions. Your child falls asleep and doesn’t remember the treatment. A trained anesthesiologist monitors the process closely for a safe and effective process from start to finish.
Our team cares about your child’s dental health and takes extra steps to reduce pain and anxiety at the dentist. Several sedation options are available, and we’ll recommend the best one for your child’s needs, plus let you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Sedation dentistry in Nashville, TN means better cooperation, fewer interruptions, better quality dentistry for long-lasting results, and happier memories for kids.
- What kind of sedation is used in pediatric dentistry?
Different types of sedation are used in pediatric dentistry. The most common options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation (pill or liquid), intranasal, IV sedation (intravenous), and general anesthesia (deep sedation).
Our dentist recommends the best option based on the patient’s age, medical history, anxiety, pain tolerance, comfort, and the type of dental treatment. While they each vary in strength, they all have the same goal: to ensure your child feels relaxed and pain-free at the dentist.
- Is it safe to sedate a child for dental work?
Our children’s dentist in Nashville, TN examines each child and reviews their medical history before recommending a sedative. Then, during treatment, we closely monitor and control the sedation for a safe and comfortable procedure.
We also have training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and are very careful about patient selection and who is a candidate for sedation dentistry, so that we are as safe as possible.
Our dental team stays current with pediatric sedation guidelines for a safe and predictable way to reduce pain and anxiety at the dentist. Additionally, sedation dentistry helps children experience dentistry more positively.
Kids form habits from a young age, and dental fear may follow them into adulthood. Regular dental visits for cleanings and exams are an important part of life, and avoiding them may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems beyond the mouth.
- Should a child be sedated for tooth extraction?
That depends on the specific child. We treat each child individually and make recommendations based on their specific needs. Some children tolerate extractions with laughing gas alone, and others require more. We do everything in our power to ensure a painless and more comfortable procedure.
- How long does dental sedation last?
Dental sedation may last as little as a few minutes to as long as a few hours. With multiple sedatives available and medicine strengths, our dentist uses the best option for the procedure and patient.
Before administering sedation to children, we let the parent/guardian and child know what to expect. Sometimes we may require fasting or limit certain foods, and we will let you know how to best prepare.
- Is deep sedation safe for kids?
A trained anesthesiologist safely administers deep sedation and general anesthesia to help children during more complex procedures at the dentist. We then closely monitor your child’s vitals to enable a smooth and safe process.
With any treatment, our dental practice only recommends the safest and most appropriate types of sedation for children. During the consultation, we’ll explain what to expect and help you understand why your child is in great hands.
Deserves the Best Care