Sleep Dentistry for Children

Extensive Experience

We recognize the importance of one’s level of experience with these unique patients. We’re proud that our dental anesthesiologists are extensively trained, and have successfully treated thousands of children. Their widespread familiarity with all levels of anaesthesia enable them to selectively administer the most appropriate anaesthetic for each young patient.

We Treat Children 2 Years Of Age & Older

Our friendly staff is sympathetic to their apprehension and fears, and makes their visit as pleasant as possible. The parents of our youngest patients are very appreciative, consistently commenting that our therapy was the safest, most effective, and best alternative for their child.

All-In-One Appointments Save Time And Expenses

While the child sleeps, interruptions are non-existent, enabling efficient and high quality dental care to be accomplished. Treatment plans that would otherwise need multiple appointments and spread over months, can be completed in one session. This saves the patient and their family valuable time and expenses.

Safe, Pleasant Atmosphere

For many children, the unfamiliar sights, sound or sensations of dentistry can generate anxiety. During our procedures, the patient is asleep, surrounded by advanced monitors and an experienced team of compassionate professionals.

Distinct From Oral Sedation

At some dental offices, oral sedation (i.e. drinks or pills) is the method used to calm a child while dentistry is performed. This may be helpful for some patients, yet many children require a deeper level of anaesthesia to ensure their safe management during dental treatment. We offer the full spectrum of anaesthesia and can select the safest, smoothest, and most predictable method available.

Preferred Technique:

We primarily use an intravenous (I.V.) route to administer deep sedation and general anaesthesia. It provides the following advantages:

• Provides the patient with the most precise dose.
• Acts faster and more reliably, producing desired results.
• Effects of I.V. medications can be easily and immediately fine-tuned for a lighter or deeper sedation, depending on a patient’s specific needs.
• Our I.V. medications are very short-acting, have minimal side effects and promote a quick recovery.

What Is The Process For A Child Going To Sleep?

Understanding a child’s apprehension, we can eliminate the presence of any needles prior to treatment. Our youngest patients often fall asleep as they breathe an anaesthetic agent through a flavoured mask. Once asleep, any additional monitors are placed and an appropriately small sized I.V. is started. A small nasal breathing tube may also be positioned.

While sleeping during their procedure, children receive medications through the I.V. Throughout the entire procedure and into the recovery period, the child is closely monitored. Vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, oxygenation level, and temperature are carefully and continuously monitored by our dental anaesthesiologist and registered nurse.

Our patients typically emerge promptly from anaesthesia, and continue to be monitored. Following the procedure, the I.V. is removed. Patients are discharged home with their parent or legal guardian when they fulfill certain criteria, usually within 30-60 minutes of recovery. School and extracurricular activity should not be scheduled for the day of the procedure.

 

Children’s Dentistry

Children have unique perspectives and needs. Some children tolerate dentistry delivered in a traditional manner, while other children require the addition of sedation or a general anaesthetic to overcome obstacles in their dental treatment. Whatever the particular needs are for your child, our specialists and staff consistently approach our youngest patients with great compassion, experience and care.

We perform all aspects of pediatric dental care, including the following:

• Exams
• Radiographs (x-rays)
• Cleanings
• Fluoride Treatment
• Oral Hygiene Instruction
• Fillings, in white or silver (composite or amalgam)
• Crowns, in white or silver (composite or stainless-steel)
• Pulpal-therapy options (baby root canals)
• Space-maintainers
• Extractions

Parents / caregivers are well-informed with a child’s dental treatment options during their initial consultation. This collaborative approach, prior to any treatment, enhances the decision-making process, and our goal of providing children with the safest and most appropriate dental treatment.