Perhaps your child gets nervous around dentists. That’s normal enough – studies show roughly 10% of children have dental phobias. However, you wouldn’t want this fear to affect a kid’s oral health. Their teeth and gums would suffer in that case, leading to various long-term problems. Luckily, there’s a solution to such anxiety: sedation dentistry in Marietta. This service from Woodland Pediatric Dentistry keeps children calm for treatment. To learn more about it, just keep reading or
call our office
for details!
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is the most common form of sedation dentistry. Typically, dentists use it for kids with mild dental anxieties who only need a little help relaxing.
Per its name, this sedation has patients inhale nitrous oxide (i.e., “laughing gas”) through a nose mask. It causes feelings of calm and mild euphoria shortly after inhalation starts. However, the gas will leave your child alert enough to respond to dentist instructions.
A major benefit of nitrous oxide is its short duration. Once your child stops breathing it, the gas effects fade quickly. Consequently, kids who receive it can resume normal activities right after treatment.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is used on children who have high anxiety, can’t tolerate dental procedures, or need extensive treatment. This option is fast-acting, non-traumatizing and makes patients fall asleep, so your child won’t remember the dental treatment. Our Anesthesia team further ensures safety by monitoring your child’s vitals during the procedure and post operatively.
For more information about sedation-assisted treatment, make an appointment with Dr. Sheh Vahid to discuss if this is an appropriate option for your child.
Dr. Kesterson received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1986. She then completed her anesthesiology residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in 1990 where she did advanced training focused on pediatric anesthesiology. She was board-certified in anesthesiology in 1991 and has spent over 25 years providing anesthesia in both hospital and outpatient settings. Her career has included working at the Children’s Hospital of San Diego, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates. Thanks to her, even children with extreme dental anxiety or special needs can get the dental care they deserve while remaining comfortable and staying in their home office.
