Dr. Jenn and her team at Blue Sky Pediatric Dentistry only work on children! They are dedicated to making every dental appointment as easy as possible and setting your child up to not fear going to the dentist. Most children do great in the office for routine cleaning appointments and fillings. If your child has a dental phobia, low pain tolerance, extensive dental treatment needed or a severe gag reflex, sedation dentistry may make the appointment more comfortable for your child.
Sedation is endorsed by the American Dental Association and is an effective way to make many patients comfortable during their dental visit. Before using a sedative or anesthetic, it is important to tell your pediatric dentist about any medications or medical treatments your child is receiving. Before administering any sedative or anesthetic, Dr. Jenn and team will talk to you about the process of sedation and pre- and post-sedation instructions.
We offer three types of sedation:
1. Nitrous Oxide “Laughing Gas”
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as “laughing gas”, has a calming effect that helps phobic or anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Because it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk to Dr. Jenn and the team during their visit. After treatment, the nitrous is turned off and oxygen is administered for five minutes to help flush any remaining gas. The effects wear off almost immediately. Your child will return to their typical self and may resume regular activities following the appointment.
2. Conscious Oral Sedation
Conscious sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children and children with special needs when dental treatment must be completed and could not be achieved in a traditional dental environment. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be drowsy or even fall asleep during treatment. After the appointment, your child will be tired by alert and responsive. We ask that they do not return to school and be monitored by an adult for the remainder of the day. We use a variety of different medications and will discuss the medication that is best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning conscious sedation.
3. General Anesthesia
Anesthesia services in the field of dentistry have been around for a long time with an excellent record of safety. These services are quickly becoming increasingly important and more readily available. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep, the same as would be provided for patients having their tonsils removed or ear tubes placed.
The benefits of general anesthesia are pain-free delivery of dental care, dental treatment can be completed in one visit versus multiple office visits and the child maintains a positive outlook on dental care thus minimizing fear at future dental visits. Dr. Jenn and the team at Blue Sky Pediatric Dentistry will spend time discussing the risks vs. benefits and if this is the right fit for your child. Dr. Jenn has her privileges at Children’s Hospital Colorado and sees patients there one day a month.