Sedation Dentistry
Because every child deserves dental care that is calm, safe, and completely manageable.
We offer both Nitrous Oxide and General Anesthesia.
It's perfectly normal for children to feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and many adults feel the same way! At Kids Dentist, we do everything we can to help your child feel relaxed, comfortable, and at ease during their visit. However, some children experience anxiety that makes it difficult to safely complete treatment. In those situations, our pediatric dentists may recommend options such as nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or general anesthesia, administered right here in our office by a specialized anesthesiologist, to help your child have a comfortable, stress-free experience. We'll discuss all of the options with you and recommend the approach that best fits your child's needs.
Sedation May Be Appropriate If Your Child…
Children with significant dental anxiety or phobia
Kids with autism, sensory processing differences, or ADHD
Children with complex medical histories or special needs
Patients who need extensive dental work in one visit
Very young children who are not yet developmentally ready to cooperate
Children who have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
Two Sedation Options We Offer
Nitrous Oxide
Laughing Gas: Light Relaxation
Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a small nose mask during treatment. It produces a pleasant, relaxed feeling. Children often describe it as feeling "floaty" or "funny." It does not put your child to sleep; they remain awake and can respond to directions.
How it works: Effects begin within minutes and wear off completely within 5 minutes of removing the mask. Children can eat normally beforehand and return to school or activities immediately after.
Ideal for: Mild to moderate anxiety, short procedures, children who are cooperative but nervous.
General Anesthesia
In-Office: Deepest Level of Care
We work with a specialized anesthesiologist who comes to our office to provide excellent care to our patients.
How it works: Performed in our office with full monitoring equipment. Children are completely asleep and have no awareness or memory of the procedure. A thorough pre-operative consultation is required to review medical history and determine candidacy.
Ideal for: Children with severe anxiety, extensive treatment needs, special needs, complex medical backgrounds, or who have not responded to lighter sedation.
Not sure where to start? Let's talk through your child's situation together.