Sedation For Children

Safe And Calming

Phamily Pediatric Dentistry treats pediatric patients in San Bruno. Our office often treats patients who present special challenges related to their age, behavior, medical conditions, or any other special needs. To address these challenges effectively to provide "predictable" treatment, your pediatric dentist may recommend treating your child under General Anesthesia.

Phamily Pediatric Dentistry, by virtue of training and experience, is qualified to recognize the indications for such an approach and to render sedation dentistry care. Our team will discuss all the necessary steps that must be taken in order to promptly and safely complete your child's dental treatment after this option has been chosen.

Group of smiling children
Oral Sedation

Oral Sedation

Patients who are more anxious may need an oral medication that is stronger than nitrous oxide. With oral sedation, the patient may be sleepy but can be aroused and will respond to simple commands. Minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting can occur with some medications. Before a visit in which a patient is to receive oral sedation, he/she will receive instructions about eating and drinking, what to expect and what to watch for after treatment. You will need assistance to get home after sedation.

Man receiving IV Sedation

IV Sedation

Injection or intravenous (into a vein) methods require more experience to be administered and monitored properly. Injections and intravenous medications should be used only by dentists with extensive training in these techniques.

General anesthesia puts a patient into a deep sleep. He or she is unable to feel pain or to move around. General anesthesia may be recommended if the patient:

  • Can't relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely, even with conscious sedation and other behavior management techniques
  • Needs oral surgery or other dental treatment that would be difficult for the patient to tolerate while awake
  • Needs a lot of dental work that can best be done in one long appointment rather than many shorter visits
  • Has a medical, physical or emotional disability that limits his or her ability to understand directions and be treated safely as an outpatient

Some general dentists have received training and a certification in general anesthesia, while others contract with an anesthesiologist. These professionals are trained to deliver the medications and monitor patients during the procedure and handle any complications that may occur.

Woman receiving calming inhalant sedation

Sedation Dentistry: The use of Laughing Gas & Oxygen for Sedation

The calming inhalant known as laughing gas is for patients who are mildly or moderately anxious or nervous. It eases their anxieties so that they can relax and undergo treatment comfortably and safely. The gas is administered by placing a small hood over the patient's nose. As the gas takes effect, the patient becomes relaxed, but is still awake and can communicate. When the gas is turned off, the effects of sedation wear off almost immediately.