If your child has strong feelings of dental anxiety, even a routine checkup could be stressful for them. The good news is that in many cases, your pediatric dentist may be able to help your little one have a more positive dental experience with IV sedation, which is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry.” Could this form of sedation dentistry be right for your child? To answer this question, here’s a brief overview of IV sedation and the benefits it offers.
How Does IV Sedation Work?
IV sedation involves delivering a sedative directly into your child’s bloodstream via one of the veins in their hand or arm. Thanks to the sedative, your child will enter an advanced state of relaxation within minutes. They will remain awake and capable of following any instructions that their dentist gives them, but they will be much more at ease with their situation. The effects of IV sedation will linger after the treatment, so you should plan on letting your child rest at home for the remainder of the day.
What are the Benefits of IV Sedation?
Choosing IV sedation for your child comes with the following important benefits:
- Easier Treatments: IV sedation can significantly reduce your child’s feelings of anxiety while they’re in the dental chair. This can go a long way toward making them more cooperative with their dentist, which ultimately makes the treatment easier for everyone.
- A More Comfortable Dental Experience: One of the side effects of IV sedation is that it reduces the body’s sensitivity to pain. As a result, your child will experience little to no discomfort during their procedure.
- Prevent Movement Issues: Does your child have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time? IV sedation can keep them relaxed, making them less likely to move around during their procedure.
- No Memory of the Procedure: Once the effects of IV sedation wear off, your child may find that they don’t have any recollection of what happened during their treatment. This can help them avoid forming negative memories that might contribute to their dental anxiety.
Is Your Child a Candidate for IV Sedation?
As beneficial as IV sedation can be, it’s not the right choice for every patient. Your pediatric dentist will need to review your child’s health history and consider their unique situation in order to determine whether they’re a good candidate for sleep dentistry in East Cobb.
IV sedation can be an excellent way to help your child overcome their dental anxiety so they can get the care their smile deserves. If you think IV sedation may be right for your child, don’t hesitate to speak with their pediatric dentist to see what they recommend.
About the Author
Dr. Sheh Vahid completed her General Dentistry Residency with a focus in pediatric dentistry at the University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center. She is a proud Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well as a member of various professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She offers IV sedation to help her anxious patients have more relaxing dental experiences. If you would like to schedule your child’s next dental visit with Dr. Vahid at Woodland Pediatric Dentistry in East Cobb, you can visit her website, use her online booking tool, or call (678) 498-2878.