Sedation Dentistry in Prosper, TX

Our team at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry understands that some children have genuine anxiety about seeing a pediatric dentist. Our goal is to make these dental appointments less stressful and more enjoyable for your child. We work hard to build trust and put them at ease at every stage of the process. In addition, several forms of sedation dentistry in Prosper, TX, can help young patients relax enough to undergo certain dental procedures safely. Call our pediatric dental office if you have questions about any of the following forms of dental sedation:

• Nitrous oxide sedation (“laughing gas”)
• Oral conscious sedation (“sleepy juice”)
• In-office general anesthesia

Sedation dentistry methods used at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry can help your child feel more at ease with regular dental exams and necessary dental work. Benefits of sedation dentistry employed at our Prosper, TX practice include:

• Making the dental experience more comfortable for children
• Helping children who have difficulty sitting still
• Allowing dentists to get multiple or complicated procedures done in one visit
• Reducing anxiety and eliminating pain
• Multiple techniques make it easier to find the right method for your child
• Safe and effective

Dental practices are full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences that could cause your child to feel nervous or afraid. For some children, even routine dental cleanings feel overwhelming. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry can help your little one learn to love the dentist and have positive memories about their experience. This is why our pediatric dentists offer several sedation dentistry options for children. Learn more about how our dental professionals can help make your child’s visit comfortable and relaxing with safe and effective dental sedation options as listed below.

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide sedation is helpful for routine procedures and for patients who experience mild dental anxiety. When your child sits in the dental treatment chair, we place a nasal mask that produces a gentle mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. They feel more calm and content within minutes. We can make adjustments as needed throughout their visit, ensuring total comfort during the entire process. This method of sedation is mild enough that when turned off at the end of the procedure, patients feel back to normal.

For children who have moderate dental anxiety and/or have a need for multiple dental procedures, oral conscious sedation may be a good option. This liquid medicine will help your child go into a dreamlike state without remembering the details of the appointment. Keep in mind that the effects of oral conscious sedation can take hours to wear off, so they will need to be supervised before and after the visit to our pediatric dental office.

For children with severe anxiety and/or medical necessities that require deeper sedation, we may recommend the use of general anesthesia to put them to sleep for the duration of their dental treatment. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry performs this in-office with a licensed anesthesiologist to ensure your child’s safety throughout the whole procedure.

Pediatric sedation dentistry in Prosper, TX at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry offers several safe and effective options to help your child get the dental care they need minus the fear and anxiety. Children may experience different effects after sedation, including grogginess, disorientation, nausea or vomiting, irritability, slight fever, or snoring. Depending on which sedation option is selected for your child, you can expect different recovery times. Here is what you can expect after our sedation options:

• Nitrous oxide sedation – Nitrous oxide sedation is quick and effective, both in how quickly it works and how quickly the effects go away once it is removed. Typically, the effects will wear off within minutes of removing the mask. You should still monitor your child after they get home to ensure the effects have fully subsided.
• Oral conscious sedation – Oral conscious sedation remains in the system much longer than nitrous oxide, meaning children may feel groggy, drowsy, or disoriented for a few hours after their procedure, with the full effects typically taking at least 12 – 24 hours to fully dissipate. They will need to be supervised after they return home. Sedation dentistry can affect short-term memory, so your child may have little to no recollection of the procedure.
• General anesthesia – General anesthesia can have much longer effects on the body. Some children may experience grogginess and drowsiness, or reduced concentration, memory, and reflexes for up to two days after their procedure. They should be closely supervised and cared for during this recovery period.

Will my child be awake during nitrous oxide sedation?

While they may feel drowsy, your child will remain conscious and responsive throughout their dental treatment. Our team at WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry will keep a close eye on their breathing and heart rate to ensure everything is perfectly normal. If needed, we can adjust the level of sedation to ensure they are as safe and comfortable as possible.

Is nitrous oxide safe for children?

Nitrous oxide is a reliable sedation treatment that’s been used in dentistry for nearly 200 years. Over the years, it has been fine-tuned and paired with state-of-the-art technology to become one of the most reliable tools in overcoming dental anxiety. It’s even officially recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as an effective sedation technique for children.

Studies indicate that nitrous oxide is well-tolerated in most children, though some may experience feelings of nausea. Laughing gas does not have any long-term side effects but can have a major impact on how your little one views oral health for the rest of their lives.

What are the benefits of nitrous oxide?

There are a variety of reasons why nitrous oxide is a popular choice among parents and dentists, like:

• Makes for faster and more productive visits
• Can be administered without needles
• A safe and reliable choice for patients with special needs
• Helps children overcome their fear of the dentist

Does your child seem anxious or nervous about an upcoming dental appointment? Don't let a fear of the dentist get in the way of the treatment they need. WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry is proud to offer several sedation options for young patients so they can enjoy their visit. If you want to learn more about your options, schedule a consultation with us in Prosper, TX. Our pediatric dentists can determine if your child could benefit from sedation dentistry.