Please read the following information carefully to ensure the best for your child.
It is important for your child’s safety that you follow these instructions carefully. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious injury. Your child will not be put to “sleep” during a conscious sedation! The purpose of conscious or “awake” sedation is to calm the child and reduce anxieties or discomfort associated with dental treatment. The effect of the sedation is to produce a profound relaxation to facilitate a more pleasant dental experience.
An occasional side effect of sedation can be nausea. It is important to insure that your child has not had food or drink for four (4) hours prior to scheduled appointment.
The sedative may have some effect for up to six hours following treatment. Arrangements should be made for a responsible adult to supervise the child’s activities during this time, as they may be disoriented, clumsy or sleepy. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN TO RETURN YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL. It will be best for your child to have close attention for several hours.
Medication
Do not give your child ANY medications before the appointment without checking with one of the doctors first.
If the child is on a regular medication, please inform the office when we confirm your child’s appointment.
Sedation Dentistry for Children in Katy
Sedation medications are chosen with consideration of your child’s medical history, type of dental treatment necessary, discomfort potential, length of time required, and child’s reaction to noise and activity in the mouth. Possibilities include: a narcotic medication indicated for pain relief, an anti-histamine medication which helps control the gag reflex (often more accentuated in children than in adults), an anxiolytic medication to relax and provide mild amnesia.
Nitrous oxide gas used in combination with oxygen may be useful to help control gagging, pain, and apprehension. The minimum amount necessary will be given. The gas does not affect the child after the procedure is over because it is completely removed from their body.
Restraint may be necessary for the very young or apprehensive patients. We cannot allow our patients to harm themselves during treatment. The use of passive restraint is always up to the parents’ discretion, but if the treatment cannot be completed in a safe and humane manner then the practitioner will abort treatment and other treatment options will be discussed.
Local anesthesia (injection) will probably be used for more complicated dental restorations. Please do not tell your child in advance; usually they will not feel the anesthesia due to the sedation. We prefer that the children not worry about the “shot” before the appointment.
Parents welcome in the treatment areas, but we ask that all parents in the treatment areas be “silent helpers”. We need to be able to focus solely on the safety and health of your child. The sedation takes approximately 60 minutes to take effect and most restorative treatment is completed in 30 – 45 minutes. Parents and patients are usually in the office about 2 hours.
Your child will be given a Popsicle or juice to hydrate and provide fructose before they leave the office. This is particularly helpful if they have numb lips. ONLY soft foods are recommended until the anesthesia wears off which is in about two hours. While they are numb they can bite their lips or tongue, causing severe swelling, bruising, and pain.
Please call our pediatric dental office in Katy or leave us a message if you have any unanswered questions concerning sedation procedures. Before or after hours, our answering service will page one of the doctors.
FAQ
Sedation dentistry in Katy is dentistry that can only be completed on a patient when they are sedated or under general anesthetist. If patients have anxiety, then sedation can be used for procedures to help them relax and remain calm.
Sedation dentistry in Katy commonly uses sedation that can be inhaled, like inhalation of nitrous oxide. Sedation dentistry is used, so patients do not feel pain during procedures. If patients experience fear or anxiety frequently, a lighter form of sedation can be used to relax the patients.
Painless sedation dentistry in Katy is commonly used for dental procedures like root canals, tooth extractions, and fillings. You can expect to either get numbed and are still awake or get put under so you are not awake and feel pain. Your child’s dentist will go over which sedation is best for your child.
Painless sedation dentistry in Katy is used to provide our patients comfort while they receive necessary procedures. Sedation is used so that our children’s patients do not have to experience pain. Our dentists are amazing with our children patients; if you have any questions, please ask them during the appointment.
Katy sedation dentistry is safe for kids. It helps them not to feel pain or any sort of anxiety while they are in our dental chairs. If our dentist thinks that your child needs a different form of sedation, they will go over that with you. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s dentist personally.