Nitrous Oxide: Also known as “laughing gas”. It is a very mild form of sedation that consists in giving the child a relaxing gas through a mask placed on the nose. The gas is simultaneously given with oxygen. Candidates for this method are children that are anxious or afraid but willing to let us place the mask on their noses. Children more anxious or that are crying when we attempt to place the mask on the nose need a different approach.

Oral Sedation: When a child is too young, the treatment is relatively short, and his or her level of anxiety is higher or is unwilling to let us use nitrous oxide is when oral sedation comes into place. It consists in giving the child a sedative agent which comes in a liquid form that the child drinks. This sedative produces a calming state that allows the child to cooperate with the treatment needed. It causes sleepiness, drowsiness, and loss of apprehension. The vital signs are closely monitored during the entire procedure, and the child usually recovers within an hour after treatment is completed.

Intravenous Sedation: When there is a significant amount of dental treatment to be done, and the child is very young, fearful or uncooperative and an oral sedative is not enough to control the child’s level of anxiety we offer this option. It consists in performing all dental treatment while the child is safely sedated with a medicine given intravenously. This option creates a deep sleep that insulates the child from the stress and worry associated with dental procedures. For this option we create a team in our office with a pediatric anesthesiologist that is in charge of dispensing the sedative and monitor the child while the dental treatment is performed by Dr. Gabriela Rolland-Asensi. For this treatment option we partner with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates.

Hospital Dentistry: When the amount of dental treatment is major and complex, the child has a complicated medical history or a special need or disability we may offer to perform the dental treatment while the child is safely asleep in a children’s hospital. This provides a safe environment with a pediatric medical team at our side to properly care for the child’s dental needs.