Nitrous Oxide
Most children feel comfortable when visiting the dentist. Early exposure to the dentist helps younger patients to associate the dental office with feeling of relaxation. Some children however, may feel nervous before their visit or while sitting in the dental chair. Sometimes they need more than gentle care to feel relaxed. Nitrous gas is a safe sedative used to help your child relax during the dental visit while allowing the doctor to effectively treat your child.
Nitrous gas is a blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Before the procedure a fitted mask is placed over your child’s nose and as they breathe, the blend is absorbed through the lungs. At the end of the treatment, the nitrous gas is removed and has no lingering effects. One of the side effects during treatment is a sense of contentment and relaxation one of the reasons why nitrous gas is also known as “laughing gas.”
The use of nitrous gas is very safe as it is rapidly absorbed, is reversible, and can be adjusted in concentration. Your child is fully conscious and keeps all of their natural reflexes while absorbing the nitrous gas. If you are interested in learning more about the use of nitrous gas during your child’s visits, or in other alternatives, please contact Dr. Cima Mazar-Atabaki’s pediatric dental office in ALISO VIEJO to answer any of your questions or schedule an appointment to find out if nitrous gas is a suitable option for your child.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is often used in pediatric dentistry to help young patients relax during dental treatment. Pediatric IV sedation is available in Dr. Cima Mazar-Atabaki’s pediatric dental office in Aliso Viejo and is considered safe enough to be performed in-office. The goal of sedation dentistry for children is to help them sit still and relax during dental visits, as well as to prevent young patients from developing unhealthy fears and apprehensions about visiting the dentist.
Did you know that IV sedation offers benefits unavailable with oral sedatives? When an oral sedative is taken, a pre-set amount of medication is internalized, making it impossible to make dosage adjustments throughout an office visit or dental treatment. Also with IV sedation, children can enter into a deeper state of relaxation that can continue throughout extended procedures. Medication is adjusted as necessary, making for an easier and more comfortable dentist-patient experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child a candidate for pediatric IV sedation?
Your child may be a candidate for pediatric IV sedation in Dr. Cima Mazar-Atabaki’s pediatric dental office in Aliso Viejo if he or she will be undergoing a long or complicated procedure. You may also wish to discuss options for IV sedation if your child is experiencing severe anxiety or fear of visiting the dentist or if you have a special needs child that may experience difficulty sitting still during a dental visit.
What will the sedation experience be like for my child?
It is important that you follow all preparation instructions given prior to your child’s visit. This may include instructions to avoid letting your child eat or drink during a specific time period prior to undergoing sedation. A sedative medication will be administered through the skin of the child’s upper arm, after 5 minutes, your child will be relaxed and brought back to the operating room and IV will be placed. Medication will be adjusted throughout treatment as needed. The dentist or pediatric anesthesiologist will monitor your child’s heart rate and oxygen levels at all times during sedation.
How should I care for my child after he or she has been sedated?
Your child will be drowsy after undergoing sedation and may spend several hours sleeping after the appointment. The amount of time it takes for sedation to fully wear off varies according to the child and the dosage administered during treatment. Since children do not drive or operate heavy machinery, there are few instructions to follow after undergoing pediatric IV sedation in Aliso Viejo. However, your child’s dentist may provide other at-home directions related to dental