Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is used in dentistry to help our patients experience all the benefits of dentistry without fear. Sedation uses medications that help relieve pain and anxiety to make receiving dental care easier. This can range from minimal conscious sedation (very light sedation) to general anesthesia, where the patient is asleep.
Types of Sedation at Dentistry for Kids
Dr. James uses three types of sedation at our Wilsonville, OR dental office:
Nitrous Oxide: The majority of our patients find that nitrous oxide helps to relieve pain and also provides enough relaxation to have a positive experience receiving treatment.
Oral Sedation: For patients who are more anxious, or if nitrous oxide has not been sufficient, we offer oral sedation. This is a medication or combination of medications mixed in fruit juice that is intended to provide minimal to moderate conscious sedation. The goal is to help patients get through their anxiety, and also make the procedures more comfortable.
General Anesthesia: For some of our patients, oral sedation is not an effective option. We offer these patients treatment under general anesthesia. The benefits to these patients is that all of their treatment is completed at one time, and in a very safe hospital setting with specialized physicians and nurses to help. This allows us to focus on providing excellent dental care.
Which is right for your child?
Every situation is unique, and there are a lot of variables that go into our recommendations. The most important thing we are concerned about is the medical safety of your child, and base all of our decisions on this first.
A consultation for sedation dentistry at our Wilsonville, OR office starts with saying hello. We want to meet your child face to face and discuss with you and them what their dental and medical history have been like. This includes any dental experiences they’ve had in the past that has led to their anxiety.
Why choose Dr. James?
Dr. James is a board-certified specialist in pediatric dentistry. He attended a two-year program beyond dental school that focused on providing dentistry, including oral sedation, to children. He also spent a month working in the pediatric anesthesia department at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, under the supervision of the pediatric anesthesiologists. Dr. James currently attends 20 hours of continuing education every two years that focuses on oral sedation with children, and managing pediatric medical emergencies.
Preparing for Your Child’s Visit
Patients must not eat eight hours prior to their appointment, but can have clear fluids (juice without pulp and no milk) up to two hours prior. These are strict guidelines that have to be followed, or the sedation appointment would be cancelled.
Your child will need to be brought to the office by a legal guardian. We recommend that young children wear comfortable clothing—pajamas are ok. We also ask that you inform us of any new medications for your children, changes to their medical history, and any recent illnesses.