In Office – Sedation Procedures

 

Nitrous Oxide

When do you use it?

  • If a child has mild to moderate anxiety, we use Nitrous Oxide to help reduce it after discussing with the parent.

How does it work?

  • The child will breathe a gas mixed with pure oxygen through a small mask that rests over their nose. The gas will help with anxiety within 2-3 minutes, but your child remains awake and will still be able to talk to the dentist and watch a movie during their treatment.

What happens after?

  • Once your dental treatment has been completed, the dental assistant will give your child oxygen for five minutes to flush the nitrous out of your child’s system. The dental assistant will stay with your child throughout the entire process.

 

General Anesthesia

When do you use it?

  • If the child is very young, has extensive treatment needs, or is uncooperative in the dental office we will typically recommend general anesthesia.

How does it work?

  • Your child will be completely asleep and have no memory of the procedure. The process is very similar to what happens when a child has their tonsils removed or ear tubes put in. Your child will be given a gas by a dental anesthesiologist that will make them fall asleep. Your dentists will complete all their dental work while your child is continuously monitored by the dental anesthesiologist.

Who provides the anesthesia services?

  • We utilize CarePoint Anesthesia as our anesthesia provider at FoCo Kids Dentistry.

What happens after?

  • You will be brought to your child immediately after the procedure and post-op instructions will be provided.