Is IV Sedation Safe for Kids?

IV Sedation, along with many other types of sedation, can be helpful, and even necessary, to help some younger patients during special treatments. This is particularly true when it comes to some kids who have special needs or shorter attention spans and those who have developed anxiety following a less-than-ideal situation with a previous dentist.

As we plan treatment for caries, infections, or tooth removal, parents will have to consider some form of sedation that they’re comfortable with and how it will help their kids receive the treatment they require. Besides, sedation methods can help young children be more comfortable and stay still while our team works with their delicate dental structures, thus ensuring the treatment is as efficient as possible, and we all avoid any potential damage that results from sudden movements caused by an impatient kid.

The goal of sedation in dentistry is to keep kids as comfortable and safe as possible during their treatment.

Let’s review how we achieve this in the dental care field.

Types of Sedation and Anesthesia Used in Children

Your kids’ dentist will discuss the various methods available, review the details of each procedure, check the requirements for your children’s dental treatment, and pay close attention to the patient’s clinical history so you can both go with the option that will be most efficient and safe.

Here are the sedation methods used in dentistry:

Nitrous Oxide

This gas, otherwise known as the “laughing gas,” is a mild sedative any dental health professional may have to help children relax during their dental care. Our Roanoke dentist team will administer this gas orally. Basically, your kid will breathe this with a bit of oxygen, and they will feel a bit more relaxed and even drowsy. Some kids begin talking a lot, and a few report feeling lightheaded, which is why some patients prefer to avoid this method.

Mild to Moderate Sedation

Usually, we achieve these levels of sedation with oral medications that help your kid relax and make them a bit sleepy. Likewise, you should consider that this is a method that works best in older children and adults, as we still need to communicate with the patient. Your child should still remain responsive to any of our indications and could wake up easily if they fall asleep. There are no risks to their breathing with this method, so there’s no need for the assistance of an anesthesiologist or breathing tubes, and your kid might even forget everything about the procedure.

Deep Sedation

IV sedation, which stands for intravenous sedation, is useful for longer procedures or patients who have trouble remaining still during their dental care. Parents should keep in mind that when a dental health professional suggests the use of IV sedation, they must also guarantee there will be an independent observer, such as an anesthesiologist, to oversee their child’s condition and vitals during the treatment. If your kid requires IV sedation, you should discuss these finer details with the pediatric dentist.

General Anesthesia

When a child receives general anesthesia, they fall asleep and remain pain-free during the entire procedure. This is a complex procedure and requires the help of specialized health professionals, including physicians, certified nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologists, who can monitor your child’s vitals and administer any required medications while the team of pediatric dentists and oral surgeons perform the planned treatments.

Is IV Sedation Safe for Children?

Generally speaking, yes. This is especially true for less-invasive forms of sedation, such as nitrous oxide, but our team won’t suggest IV sedation unless every indicator suggests this is a viable and safe option for your kid. Fortunately, when you bring your kid to a pediatric dentist such as Dr. Reopelle, you’re not fumbling in the dark. There are official guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to keep your kid safe during these treatments.

To help you feel comfortable with the procedure, you should make sure the dentist offers you access to the following:

• A detailed overview of the various types of sedation and anesthesia available for your kid.
• A full review of your kid’s clinical and medical history to determine if there are any adverse reactions to the sedative agents.
• Easy access to specialized equipment in a dedicated setting, such as a purpose-built dental practice, ambulatory surgical center (ASC), or a hospital.
• Support from at least 2 individuals with advanced training to provide advanced life support if there are any complications during the procedure. One of those individuals has to be “a physician anesthesiologist, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a second oral surgeon, or a dentist anesthesiologist.”

Sedation in dentistry, especially nitrous oxide, is efficient and offers a high degree of safety for children who need dental treatments. The benefits we all obtain from helping your kid be calm during their dental care greatly outweigh any risks associated with sedation, but you should still have a thorough conversation with your kids’ dentist about the risks.

Ultimately, some forms of sedation will carry greater risks of complications and potential side effects on the patient. Please be as accurate as possible and truthful when providing information about your child’s medical history, as certain indicators may suggest that it’s best not to use any type of sedation.

Get Help From a Certified Pediatric Dentistry Team

The best pediatric dentist Ronake parents can count on will make sure your kid receives the care they require. Make sure you get in touch with our team to learn more about the ways in which sedation can help your child have a much better experience when receiving pediatric dental care in Roanoke.

We are excited to receive you and your family here for the best treatment options anyone can ask for. We hope to see you soon!