For some children, routine dental care calls for a little extra support. Whether it is anxiety, a strong gag reflex, special healthcare needs, or simply the nature of a longer procedure, we have options to help your child get the care they need comfortably and safely. We will always discuss the most appropriate approach with you before moving forward.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is used in most restorative procedures to numb around the teeth that are receiving treatment. The medicine works only on the targeted areas and wears off in approximately 1 hour. Our office uses leading electronic technology to deliver local anesthesia via a handheld device that looks more like a thermometer than a traditional syringe. This helps to reduce anxieties over the appearance of traditional syringes, enables faster onset of numbness, and results in less soft tissue numbness afterwards.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a safe, well-established, and commonly used medicine for children who experience mild to moderate dental anxiety. Our office offers nitrous oxide as a valuable resource in pediatric dentistry to help make restorative dental work an easier experience for your child. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask that covers the nose and creates a more relaxed, calm feeling within minutes. Tingling sensations in hands and feet along with feelings of floating in the chair are commonly experienced as well. Supplemental oxygen is delivered along with the nitrous oxide throughout its use, and your child actually receives more oxygen than they do when breathing room air. Nitrous oxide does not put your child to sleep and its effects clear quickly once the mask is removed, making it easy to return to normal activity after the appointment. We are happy to discuss whether using nitrous oxide at restorative appointments may be good fit for your child.
General Anesthesia / Hospital Dentistry
General anesthesia allows for all treatment to be completed in one visit while the child is fully asleep. This may be the right choice for children with significant dental anxiety, extensive decay that would otherwise require multiple treatment appointments if completed in-office (especially if the child is younger than 5 when the extensive decay is diagnosed), special healthcare needs, or complex surgical treatment. Our doctor holds hospital privileges at Berkshire Medical Center, where full-mouth dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia cases are performed. Our doctor and dental assistant staff will be the ones performing the dental work, while BMC’s anesthesia team manages all aspects of sedation and anesthesia. Treatment under general anesthesia is recommended only when it is in the patient’s clinical and psychological best interests. If treatment under general anesthesia is recommended for your child, we will walk you through the benefits, risks, and what to expect so that you can make a fully informed decision for your child.