Sedation dentistry provides safe, comfortable dental treatment for patients with special needs.  Sometimes called relaxation dentistry, sedation dentistry is a method of managing pain and anxiety during professional dental care though the use of medication.

You child can benefit from sedation dentistry if he or she experiences one of more of the following:

• High fear of dental care
• Complex dental problems
• Traumatic dental experiences
• Fear of needles and shots
• Trouble getting numb
• Sensitive teeth

The three most common types of pediatric sedation dentistry are:

1. Nitrous Oxide(Laughing Gas)
2. Oral Conscious Sedation
3. Hospital/General Anesthesia

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Inhalation sedation uses Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen (laughing gas) to help your child's body achieve a relaxed state. This is the most popular form of sedation used in pediatric dentistry today. The majority of children benefit by the use of nitrous oxide during their dental treatment, to make the experience calm and pleasant.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Through this type of sedation your child will experience minimal to moderate sedation while still being conscious. Dr. Yezerski will provide your child with an oral medication that is easy to swallow and safe. The type and dosage of medication given is determined by your child's unique weight, situation, and circumstances. During the sedation treatment appointment, each patient is monitored closely by both pulse oximetery and a blood pressure cuff. After the appointment, patients are monitored until they reach specific discharge criteria, after which, they are able to go home.

Hospital/General Anesthesia

Sometimes children are unable to cooperate or require too much dental work to be completed in the office. These children may be treated in a hospital or surgery center setting under general anesthesia. Here, an anesthesiologist monitors and keeps the patient comfortable while Dr. Yezerski is able to complete the needed treatment. This setting enables children who cannot cooperate in the office to have all of their dental work completed in one visit and have no recollection of the treatment. Dr. Yezerski is very experienced in treating children in the hospital setting and may recommend this treatment in certain cases. Please feel free to ask questions during your child's examination appointment to help understand what has been recommended for your child.