Smiles Made Easy with Sedation

When Is Sedation Usually Needed?

• Dental fillings
• Tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Periodontal treatments

If you decide to choose sedation for your child’s treatment, Dr. Metclaf will talk you through the sedation process and any pre- and post-sedation instructions before administering a sedative or anesthetic.

The Types of Sedation We Offer

Oral Conscious Sedation

This type of sedation involves taking a sedative in pill or liquid form. If your child receives oral conscious sedation, they will still be able to speak and respond to questions during their treatment and express any discomfort or pain they may be having. However, they may remember little or nothing about the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide sedation is used to help fearful or anxious patients relax during their treatment. The gas is mixed with oxygen and administered via a small mask that fits over your child’s nose. Because nitrous oxide is a mild sedative, your child will still be able to talk during the procedure.

Once the treatment is finished, we turn off the gas and administer oxygen for a few minutes to help clear away the remaining nitrous oxide. The effects wear off quickly, and there are rarely any side effects.

IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation involves administering a dose of sedatives directly into the bloodstream via an IV. Once the sedative is administered, your child will quickly calm, allowing Dr. Metclaf to perform the procedure. This type of sedation is highly effective for patients who are extremely fearful or anxious about the dentist. IV sedation also acts as an amnesiac, which means your patient won’t remember the procedure at all, even though he/she was conscious and responsive during the procedure.

General Anesthesia

This type of sedation involves administering medication that puts the patient into a deep sleep or an unconscious state. General anesthesia is the same type of sedation used when removing tonsils. It is most commonly used for patients:

• Patients who are extremely anxious or fearful
• Patients requiring extensive dental treatment
• Patients who are unable to cooperate or follow directions
• Patients with uncontrollable body movements
• Patients needing several dental procedures done at the same time

Stress-Free Dentist Visits Start Here

If you have any questions about sedation dentistry or would like to know more about our practice, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Metcalf or Dr. Padilla, please call our office or request an appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions