Sometimes, a child may need to receive their dental treatment with the aid of office-based sedation. If Dr. Long recommends sedation, Dr. Mark Saxen, our anesthesiologist, will examine your child to make sure the treatment and sedation can be done safely in the office.
Dr. Saxen also will give you instructions for caring for your child on the day of treatment, and an estimate of fees related to sedation, which are separate from Dr. Long’s fees.
For sedation, your two-hour appointment will be in the morning. Although some kids are a little groggy when they leave the office, most are back to normal activity in just a few hours.
The best part of sedation? All the dental work your child needs is finished in just one visit.
FAQs about sedation
What happens when I choose office-based anesthesia for my child?
Your child will be completely asleep during the entire procedure. He or she will go to sleep and wake up in your arms or at your side.
Is sedation safe?
Your child will receive the same treatment used in a hospital setting – the same drugs, monitors, techniques and safety standards. We take every precaution possible to make sure your child is safe.
Why is it important that my child receive office-based anesthesia?
Early childhood dental experiences can affect some kids for a lifetime, making them fear the dentist and thus avoid dental care. Performing treatment while the child is asleep removes this possibility.
What are the advantages of office-based anesthesia for my child’s dental visit?
When a child needs a lot of dental work, it usually means several office visits. And when a child is awake, he or she usually will sit still for only so much treatment during a visit. By using sedation, all the work can be done in one visit.
