Sedation Dentist for Kids – Northampton, MA | Amherst, MA | Greenfield, MA
No More Fear at the Dentist
When it comes to caring for children, our pediatric dentists in Northampton, Amherst, and Greenfield, MA always make comfort a priority. Dental anxiety is a common problem among little ones, as is overstimulation and outright fear. Thankfully, our sedation dentistry services can make a big difference, helping patients feel relaxed and at ease as we take care of their teeth and gums. Other options are available if needed to ensure that their experience is as ideal and pain-free as possible. Dr. Tremblay, Dr. Biernacki, and Dr. Sheraz want to see your child smiling big as they leave Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry!
Why Choose Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Multiple Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists on Staff
- Warm, Friendly & Understanding Dental Team
- Partnered with Licensed Anesthesiologists
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Dental nitrous oxide in Northampton is a very safe sedation dentistry option, and it’s well-proven to help patients of all ages feel more relaxed and content as their dental treatment is performed. Producing mild effects that allow your child to remain comfortable and calm can minimize anxiety and change the way young patients feel about visiting the dentist’s office.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
At Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry, we want to make sure your child is a good candidate for nitrous oxide before agreeing to administer it. After asking questions about their overall health and any current medications they are taking, we may decide it is the right option if:
- They struggle with mild to moderate dental anxiety
- They have a sensitive or strong gag reflex
- They have a fear of needles
- They have a disability that prevents them from sitting still
If we find that your child is suffering from sinus congestion or any other kind of respiratory illness on the day of their appointment, we may recommend rescheduling it. Nitrous oxide is likely to be ineffective in this situation since it is required that they inhale the solution and may be unable to do so successfully.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Our sedation dentists will administer the gas to your son or daughter through a nasal mask, gauging their reaction at all times so that we can confirm they’re at ease. Within minutes, they should become fully relaxed. In addition to producing warm feelings, nitrous oxide should also reduce their gag reflex and help them stay still for a long period of time.
Throughout your child’s appointment, we will closely monitor them and adjust the nitrous oxide level if necessary.
Once everything is finished, we will remove the mask, allowing them to breathe in pure oxygen. This should cause the effects to wear off quickly.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
While one of the best benefits of nitrous oxide is how fast your child can resume normal activity after their appointment, we may request that they remain in our office for a short time. This is just to make sure they feel completely fine afterward. Once we are satisfied, you will be free to take them home or back to school.
Although there is no required recovery time after undergoing dental sedation, the procedure they received may involve following specific instructions provided by our dentists.
Your child should experience no ill side effects from nitrous oxide; however, if they begin to develop any problems or complications, don’t hesitate to call our office right away.
Local Anesthesia
During most dental treatments, our team will provide your little one with local anesthesia in a careful and comfortable manner. This process eliminates virtually any pain they may have experienced by numbing the treated area. Numbness usually lasts for a few hours, and parents should keep an eye on their child to make sure they don’t accidentally bite their lips or cheeks.
Hospital Dentistry
If we simply can’t provide the high caliber of safe, comfortable dental care your child deserves in either of our office spaces, Dr. Biernacki, Dr. Tremblay, and Dr. Sheraz may recommend hospital dentistry. The procedure will take place in an operating room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Surgical Day Care Center, and a skilled anesthesiologist will be onsite to provide your child with general anesthesia and monitor their vitals as we treat their smile. In these cases, an overnight stay is typically not necessary. This allows parents to take their child home so they can rest in a familiar setting instead of a hospital room.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe
It's normal to have concerns about the safety of sedation dentistry, especially when it comes to your child. However, there's nothing to fear. Your sedation dentist in Northampton has completed extensive training to ensure your little one's safety. They will review your child's medical history to ensure there are no concerns for adverse reactions. Generally, nitrous oxide is the safest for most patients, including children. We also offer local anesthesia for more complex situations. Your child will be monitored from start-to-finish, by our dental team.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
Your child's experience will differ depending on the type of sedation used. Nitrous oxide, better known as “laughing gas,” is an inhaled sedative that will calm your child's nerves, allowing them to relax. They may get the giggles as the sedative takes effect. Their body may feel heavy and warm. Your child's extremities may even tingle. Once the mask is removed, your child will feel completely normal within a matter of minutes.
Local anesthesia is much stronger than nitrous oxide and is reserved for complex situations. Your little one will sleep through their appointment. It takes a few hours for the sedative to wear off, so your child may be groggy. After relaxing for the day, your child will be back to their usual self in no time at all.
Does Dental Sedation Cause Memory Loss?
Fragmented memory loss can occur with some sedatives, like nitrous oxide. This can be a great benefit for children who have had a poor dental experience in the past or fear visiting the dentist. Your little one will have no memory of their procedure when local anesthesia is used. Don't worry, they won't lose any core memories, only the time spent in the dentist’s chair.
Do You Feel Pain with Dental Sedation?
Nitrous oxide can be used along with a numbing medication to keep your child comfortable. They will not experience any pain because their comfort is our top priority. They will not have any pain if local anesthesia is used. However, depending on your child's treatment, their mouth may be tender after the effects of any medications wear off. You can manage it with an age-appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever. A cold compress can reduce pain and inflammation. Offer plenty of soft foods and keep them hydrated. Your dentist will review any additional aftercare instructions before you go home.