Mild Sedation Dentistry
In our office, we often utilize nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to minimize the chance of a negative experience during a longer or more invasive procedure. We use our best judgment to determine which children would likely benefit from mild sedation and discuss all possible outcomes with parents or guardians. Many children can tolerate procedures using a combination of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
Deep Sedation Dentistry
If your child’s treatment needs cannot be met with mild sedation, we offer in-office deep sedation, including IV sedation and general anesthesia. Anesthesia is managed entirely by your child’s dedicated anesthesiologist, separate from the dentist performing the treatment. Deep sedation is used primarily for children with special needs, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or extensive treatment needs. For their well-being and safety, deep sedation may be necessary. It allows us to complete dental treatment while your child sleeps.
Our deep sedation procedures comply with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines for the use of deep sedation in dentistry. If you feel your child may benefit from deep sedation during their treatment, we’ll discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives with you.
We offer intravenous (IV) sedation at our Scarborough office in collaboration with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA). PDAA provides anesthesia care by a board-certified physician anesthesiologist with advanced pediatric training, offering the same level of expertise and equipment you would find at a children’s hospital. PDAA uses short-acting, adjustable medications, allowing the anesthesiologist to adjust or stop the sedation as needed. Your child continues to breathe naturally throughout IV sedation while asleep and will wake in a private recovery area following treatment.
We also offer in-office general anesthesia at our Windham and Scarborough locations. General anesthesia is administered and monitored by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist through Northpoint Anesthesia Associates, using the same hospital-grade monitoring equipment and level of expertise found in a surgical suite. Every patient receives a preoperative history and physical, an individualized anesthesia plan, and monitored recovery in our private recovery area.
Both intravenous sedation and general anesthesia approaches allow children with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or extensive dental needs to have all of their dentistry completed safely in one appointment, while parents can relax in our comfortable waiting area.
Learn more about Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates at PediatricSedation.com.
Learn more about Northpoint Anesthesia Associates at northpointap.com.