Sedation Dentistry – Marietta, GA

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Many kids experience anxiety or agitation when it’s time to sit in the dentist’s chair, regardless of the reason for their visit. Dr. Vahid understands that children have unique fears, needs, and challenges that can make it difficult to sit still throughout their procedure and offers nitrous oxide sedation to calm their frayed nerves.

This medication, commonly known as laughing gas, can help them feel relaxed, but you must consult our team first to ensure your child is a good candidate. Continue reading to learn more about how it works and who it helps, and feel free to contact us with any additional questions.

Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) has been used for centuries, so its effects are well-documented. It’s considered safe for most people, including children, when administered by qualified professionals, like Dr. Vahid.

We might suggest this medication if your child has:

• Challenges sitting still for longer periods.
• A fear of needles.
• A strong gag reflex.
• Extreme anxiety or overstimulation at the dentist’s office.
• A resistance to local numbing agents.

However, our Woodland Pediatric Dentistry will update your child’s medical history before administering this or any sedative to avoid doing anything that might interfere with their general health. If they have sinus congestion, respiratory disease, or are taking other medications that could have adverse effects, we might recommend against it.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

This fast-acting drug is inhaled through a small gas mask that’s placed over your child’s nose while we work. It usually kicks in within moments, typically inducing a sense of calm, relaxation, or euphoria. It doesn’t put your kid to sleep, but it can cause tingling or tickly sensations in the limbs or give them a bad case of the giggles, hence its popular nickname.  

Then, the impact wears off just as quickly as it begins once the mask is removed. There usually aren’t lingering aftereffects, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to take your child to school or resume their normal activities afterward.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide doesn’t usually produce lingering aftereffects to be aware of, but there’s a chance it might induce some mild lightheadedness or nausea. As a result, we may monitor your child for a few minutes once their procedure is complete to ensure they’re steady on their feet before releasing them to your care.

Then, depending on their procedure, we might also provide additional aftercare instructions to follow that are intended to help your child recover as quickly as possible without developing potential complications.

IV Dental Sedation

Different children have different needs, and some require extra help to feel safe and comfortable during dental visits. IV dental sedation is often a great option for kids with severe challenges that can make quality care more difficult. Intravenous, or “IV,” sedation is safe, effective, and works quickly to keep your child deeply relaxed—and sometimes a little sleepy! Read more below to see if IV sedation might be right for your child. If you need guidance, don’t hesitate to call your friendly IV sedation Dentist, Dr. Vahid, for a consultation.

Learn More from the PDAA

What Is IV Dental Sedation?

IV dental sedation is a type of sedation where medication is delivered directly into your child’s bloodstream through a small IV line, usually placed in their arm or hand. The effects come quickly, usually within minutes, and put your child into a deep state of relaxation.

Intravenous sedation is also incredibly safe because it allows our anesthesia team to carefully control the flow of medication throughout your child’s procedure.

The effects are stronger than nitrous oxide, sometimes even causing patients to fall into a gentle sleep, causing lapses in memory. In fact, many of our young patients say they don’t even remember going through any procedure at all!

This extra strength also comes with some grogginess, which can take up to a full day to fade. During this time, it’s recommended to let your child rest while you monitor them. As soon as the medication wears off, they’ll feel good as new.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Dental Sedation?

IV dental sedation can be a wonderful tool for the right patient. It may be recommended if your child:

• Has extreme dental anxiety or panic during visits
• Has special needs that make sitting still or cooperating difficult
• Has a strong gag reflex that interferes with treatment
• Needs multiple procedures completed in one visit
• Has had traumatic dental experiences in the past

During your consultation, Dr. Vahid will review your child’s medical history and medications and talk about your child’s comfort levels.

Our team will also discuss other behavior management options and types of sedation before deciding together if IV sedation is the safest and most comfortable choice. We’re always happy to answer all your questions so you feel confident in your child’s care.

The Benefits of IV Dental Sedation

Some kids simply need more support to have a positive, stress-free dental experience. IV dental sedation offers several important benefits:

• A Deep State of Relaxation: Helps even highly anxious children feel calm and comfortable.
• Fast-Acting Medication: Works quickly, so treatment can begin within minutes of arrival.
• Prevents Traumatizing Memories: Many children remember little to nothing about their visit, reducing future anxiety.
• Greater Control: IV sedation can be adjusted moment to moment. Our team further ensures safety by closely monitoring your child’s vitals both during the procedure and post-operatively.

Dr. Patel

Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2013. He then pursued a four-year residency in anesthesiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he distinguished himself as chief resident. Following his residency, Dr. Patel completed a pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 2018. After obtaining board certification in pediatric anesthesiology, his professional journey led him to Atlanta, where he has served as an attending anesthesiologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the past six years. In this role, he had been an integral part of the acute pain team, guiding patients and their families through the complexities of surgery with a focus on minimizing anxiety and managing pain. His dedication to providing a positive experience for his patients while prioritizing their safety has been a focus of his practice. With a few dentists in the family, Dr. Patel has long been aware of the increasing need for safer, specialized anesthesia care for kids. This understanding and shared passion has fueled his enthusiasm for joining PDAA. He looks forward to working in tandem with dental providers and families in the greater Atlanta area. In his spare time, Dr. Patel enjoys exploring the city, hiking, snowboarding, and spoiling his dog.

Dr. Habte

Dr. Sara Habte is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist with 13+ years of experience. She earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. Her internship and residency training took place at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Dr. Habte then returned to Philadelphia to complete her fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Before joining PDAA, Dr. Habte was an attending physician at Scottish Rite Hospital, part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She is an active member of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. Away from work, she spends time with her husband and their twin 7-year-old daughters and 1-year-old son, traveling together and creating memories on family adventures.

Education & Training:

• Temple University School of Medicine, M.D.
• UT Southwestern Medical Center, Anesthesiology Residency
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship

Board Certifications:

• American Board of Anesthesiology — Anesthesiology
• American Board of Anesthesiology — Pediatric Anesthesiology

Is My Child a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

In order to see if your child qualifies for IV sedation, please contact our office or schedule a consult visit .

Barring these concerns, a child may benefit from sedation if they have any of the following:

• Mild, moderate, or severe dental anxiety that interferes with dental care
• Difficulty sitting in chairs for extended periods
• A fear of needles
• An overactive gag reflex
• Past traumatic dental experiences
• Extensive procedures requiring multiple appointments