Sedation Dentistry and Nitrous Oxide

As part of creating a positive patient experience, Dr. Casey Nelson offers a variety of Sedation Dentistry techniques and makes his recommendations individually based on each patient and their circumstances.

Planned treatment can be combined with the addition of Nitrous Oxide, Conscious Oral Sedation, or IV General Anesthesia with a medical anesthesiologist.  Dr. Nelson will make recommendations he deems to be the most beneficial for your child to make treatment a positive and safe experience for both them and our team.  The information below tells you a little more about these potential treatment recommendations.

Nitrous Oxide

A combination of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen (“laughing gas”) can be used to help cooperative patients who may have some mild dental anxiety feel more comfortable.  A special mask is placed over a patient’s nose, and breathing the combined air can make a patient feel more relaxed while dental treatment is completed.

Conscious Oral Sedation

This option is used in patients who have a greater degree of dental anxiety, greater treatment need, or are unable to cooperate with Nitrous Oxide alone.  Dr. Nelson will determine the recommended medication combination that a patient will drink themselves upon arrival at the office.  Oral sedation produces a drowsy effect for most patients; however, they are able to respond to verbal commands while vitals are being monitored and dental treatment is completed.

General Anesthesia

If a patient is uncooperative, too young to cooperate, has extreme dental anxiety, or has extensive dental treatment needs, Dr. Nelson may recommend general anesthesia.  A medical anesthesiologist will be present for this entire appointment and will administer medications that result in a controlled state of unconsciousness while dental treatment is completed.

If sedation is recommended as part of your child’s treatment, our team will guide you and your family through what to expect both from a treatment and financial perspective and will make sure your questions are answered before you schedule your appointment.

Please call our office if you have any questions about pre-op or post-op sedation instructions.