Sedation Dentist for Kids – Independence, MO
Creating Positive & Comfortable Dental Experiences for Kids
Dental fear and anxiety affect countless children, especially when they aren’t used to visiting the dentist at such a young age. Dr. Dean and his team at KC Kids Dental offer safe and effective sedation dentistry for kids in Independence. To learn more about children's dental sedation, please contact our pediatric dental office.
Why Choose KC Kids Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- General Anesthesia Available
- Convenient In-Office Sedation Dentistry
- Experienced Pediatric Dentist On-Staff
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a form of conscious dental sedation that is safely administered in the treatment chair as your child is being monitored by a trained professional. We’ll place a small nose mask on your child’s face that will allow them to breathe in a colorless odorless gas that will help them relax nearly immediately. Following their treatment, we’ll turn off the gas and have them breathe in oxygen to help minimize any side effects. After their appointment, they should be able to return to school or go about the rest of their day as they normally would.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for children who feel uncomfortable when visiting the dental office. Nitrous oxide sedation is generally recommended for those who have:
- Dental anxiety
- Fear of needles
- Tooth sensitivity
- Difficulty sitting still
- Resistance to local anesthetics
If any of those apply to your child or there is another reason why you think they could benefit from sedation, let us know.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?
Before your child’s treatment begins, we will administer nitrous oxide through a small mask that is placed over their nose. We will adjust the flow of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas, which is clear and odorless. After only a couple of minutes, your child will feel perfectly relaxed and comfortable.
Once the full effects of the nitrous oxide kick in, we will begin their treatment. Once we are done, we will remove the mask and turn off the gas. Just as quickly as they felt the effects of the gas, they will feel back to normal again.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
The effects of nitrous oxide don’t linger. The gas wears off very quickly, so it is unlikely to cause residual side effects. Some children may experience fatigue and nausea but these will go away relatively quickly after the gas is turned off.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is ideal for children who have severe dental fear or phobia or who are undergoing lengthy procedures. It will put them in a deeply relaxed state, and they likely won’t remember their visit.
Hospital Dentistry
Hospital Dentistry allows a child to basically sleep throughout a procedure and wake up with no memory of it afterward. We typically recommend it for younger children who need extensive treatment. Dr. Dean is on staff with Children’s Mercy Hospital, where the anesthesia will be handled by a licensed anesthesiologist. During the procedure, your child’s heartbeat, breathing, and blood oxygen will be monitored to ensure their safety at all times.
