Sedation and other Treatment Options
Most of our patients do very well in our welcoming office. However, there are instances where children, for a variety of reasons, are unable to tolerate routine dental treatment in this traditional setting. We therefore offer additional treatment options including administration of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), IV sedation, and in specific situations, comprehensive dental treatment in the operating room setting.
Nitrous Oxide (N20) is a gas, often called “sweet air” or “laughing gas”, that is extremely effective in reducing anxiety and thereby making dental treatment easier for many children. Once of the significant advantages of Nitrous Oxide is that it starts to work very quickly, has virtually no side effects, and it wears off very quickly, as well.
Oral sedation is a process by which a child will drink a pleasant-tasting medication that will relax them for their treatment. That being said, Dr. Batra finds that IV sedation is a much better modality for accomplishing the goals of sedation as a whole — maximizing the chance that the child will be safe, sedated, and comfortable during the process. IV sedation allows Dr. Batra to provide a wide array of treatment on patients who otherwise would have difficulty cooperating; because IV sedation is a medical procedure, and your child’s safety is our utmost concern, we require that your child has a physical examination with their medical doctor at least one month prior to treatment with IV sedation. IV sedation is provided in the private treatment room in our office, under the supervision of Dr. Batra and an anesthesiologist.
Hospital-Based Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia
Because there are situations where IV sedation is inadequate to provide the necessary dental treatment, Dr. Batra is credentialed at Mclaren Port Huron, Royal Oak Beaumont, Ascension Macomb-Oakland hospital and is therefore able to provide comprehensive pediatric dental care in an operating-room setting.
In-Office General Anesthesia is a Safe and Reliable Option
For some patients we are able to provide in-office general anesthesia under the supervision of a nurse anesthetist.
If your child is a candidate for any of these treatment modalities, we understand that you will have a number of questions. Rest assured that Dr. Batra will review with you the considerations for the indicated sedation options, and will take the time to answer all of your questions.