Whether your child has dental anxiety or needs extensive dental work, McNutt Pediatric Dentistry has a variety of sedation dentistry options to keep them comfortable and pain-free. At their office in Nashville, Tennessee, Timothy McNutt Sr., DDS, and his team provide oral sedation for their pediatric patients. They also perform in-hospital dentistry for those who can benefit from general anesthesia. To find out if sedation dentistry is right for your child, call McNutt Pediatric Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today.

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What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the act of administering sedative medication to help children relax during a dental procedure. Many children are anxious about visiting the dentist and can benefit from sedation techniques. Sedatives also numb your pain and promote relaxation, which can help your child develop a better relationship with their dentist.

Who needs sedation dentistry?

Many people choose sedation techniques to feel more relaxed and comfortable at the dentist. Some of the most common reasons for sedation dentistry include:

  • Dental phobia or anxiety
  • Behavioral issues
  • Low pain tolerance
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Difficulties sitting still
  • Sensitive gag reflex
  • Extensive dental work

If you have a child with special needs who struggles to sit still, sedation can help them feel at ease during their visit.

What are the different types of sedation dentistry?

McNutt Pediatric Dentistry offers several forms of sedation to help your child feel relaxed during their visit:

Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a clear gas that your child breathes in along with oxygen. It promotes relaxation. Not only does nitrous oxide work almost instantly, it only takes 2-3 minutes for the effects to wear off after your child’s procedure.

Oral sedation

If you opt for oral sedation, your child swallows a pill or liquid about 30 minutes to one hour before their procedure. Like nitrous oxide, your child remains awake during their procedure, but they should experience no pain or discomfort.

General anesthesia

Depending on the procedure, Dr. McNutt may recommend in-hospital dentistry with general anesthesia. This form of sedation puts your child to sleep during their procedure, so they won’t feel or remember anything about the visit.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

When your child needs dental work, their safety is Dr. McNutt’s top priority. If your child is scared or anxious about visiting the dentist, it may be difficult to deliver the quality care needed to keep their teeth healthy.

Sedation is a safe, effective technique that allows Dr. McNutt and his team to perform the dental work your child needs without increasing their anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist.

Whether you opt for oral sedation or general anesthesia, a dental professional will monitor your child throughout their visit to ensure they’re responding well to their sedative.

To learn more about sedation dentistry, call McNutt Pediatric Dentistry or book an appointment online today.