Young children with many dental needs are the most suitable candidates for general anesthesia. Instead of coming back for multiple appointments, the child can have everything done at once. This will prevent them from being scared of the dentist, both during the present treatment and in the future. Some older children also have an inexplicable fear of the dentist. These children too would benefit from being put to sleep.

The greatest advantage of putting a child to sleep while getting their dental work done is that they will not be traumatized by their dental work.

Some of the medications that are used actually help the child forget all about what happened during the treatment. Also, once the child is completely asleep, all treatment, including x-rays, fillings, crowns, and cleanings can be done at once in a manner that is not traumatic or scary for the child.

Although the risks are very low, particularly because we at A+ Dental employ a dental anesthesiologist to oversee the procedure, some parents are not comfortable having their little ones completely put to sleep.

For private insurance patients, the biggest disadvantage of general anesthesia is the cost. Many private insurances do not cover the treatment and the anesthesiologist visiting the office will charge a set amount, which is due to the expensive medications and materials that are used.

Oral sedation involves the ingestion of prescription anti-anxiety medication that puts the children in a more relaxed state so that they are more receptive to the dental procedure. The child simply drinks the medication and after about 20-30 minutes starts feeling much calmer. The child will still be able to respond to stimulation, recognize voices, and maintain his or her natural protective reflexes. The combination of the sedative medication and laughing gas helps put the child in a relaxed state, which can make the procedure much more bearable.

The pediatric specialists at A+ Dental recommend oral sedation for kids who have the ability to cooperate but are a little scared and need something to help them relax. The amount of sedation medication given to the child is based on their weight to ensure that the dosage is safe. Also, the pediatric dentist monitors the child’s breathing throughout the procedure to be sure that the airway is kept clear. Although the child may fall asleep after taking the sedative medication, they can be roused easily and can respond to commands. Overall, they are more comfortable and less anxious while getting their dental treatment done. The only real disadvantage is that sometimes even after treatment children may be drowsy and less alert. Parents should monitor their children after treatment and not allow them to partake in too many rigorous activities, like sports, after being sedated. It is also important to make sure their chin is lifted and their head is not sagging down to their chest when they sleep to prevent the closure of the airway.