relaxed child receiving dental treatment

Sedation Dentistry

The unfamiliar sights and sounds of a dental office can be frightening for patients of all ages, including kids.

At Children’s Dental of Waltham in Waltham, MA, we believe that every child deserves gentle and compassionate care without fear.

That's why our dentists offer sedation dentistry, which induces relaxation using medications for a calmer, more comfortable experience.

How do I know if my child needs sedation for dental visits?

When to Consider Sedation Dentistry for Your Child

Children may struggle with dental anxiety for many different reasons. You may want to consider sedation if your child has:

A Strong Gag Reflex

Claustrophobia

Past Negative Dental Experiences

Fear of Injections

Difficulty Controlling Movements

The team at Children’s Dental of Waltham focuses exclusively on caring for kids. Our dentistry team knows how to explain dental treatments in easy-to-understand terms. We also know how to make the new experience fun and exciting, rather than scary.

What kinds of sedation are available in pediatric dentistry?

Types of Dental Sedation

Nitrous Oxide

For some dental procedures, we will simply also administer local anesthesia to numb the area. For others, we may recommend additional sedation such as nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide (also called "laughing gas") is administered via inhalation through a nose piece. The effects are typically felt within five minutes. Your child will be deeply relaxed, though still completely awake. He or she may be a little giggly and talkative, as well. In addition to being fast-acting, nitrous oxide wears off quickly. As soon as we remove the mask and administer pure oxygen, the effects will start to dissipate. Nitrous oxide is considered a light form of conscious sedation. Thanks to its conservative nature, there are negligible risks involved, even for very young patients.

General Anesthesia

If your child has severe dental anxiety, we may recommend general anesthesia. The medication will be administered intravenously to help your child fall into a deep, sleep-like state. For these cases, our pediatric dentist, Dr. Brambila, will complete your child's dental care at Franciscan Children's Hospital in Brighton, MA, alongside a certified anesthesiologist. During your child's dental procedure, a strict protocol will be followed to ensure his or her safety and well-being. This includes monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature. Upon waking, your child will be groggy for much of the day. Side effects from general anesthesia may include nausea, vomiting, fussiness, dizziness, or crying.

Here's why families trust our dentistry practice with their child's sedation...

Read Our 5-Star Reviews

1

Crystal Paolini

2019

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Staff is awesome very friendly with my children and also caring. Kids and I feel safe with them and trust them very much. My daughter broker her tooth her half at dance and the Dr was able to fix it perfectly!!! She really is unbelievable at what she does. I highly recommend Children’s Dental Center of Waltham.

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1

Yana Khalina-Stackpole

2017

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At Dr. Gutnichenko's practice we found the most "customer-centric", professional, compassionate and technologically advanced care for our daughter, who presented with multiple challenges (we have been to quite a few offices before). Our whole family moved to them as a result; we have been their clients for years now, so glad it is a Family practice. Highly recommended!

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Team at Children's Dental of Waltham

Children's Dental of Waltham General Dentistry for Kids

Our team is here to help your child understand the importance of a healthy smile. We offer a range of pediatric dental treatments including first-time dental examinations and extractions. We also offer:

  • Flexible financing options
  • In-office entertainment for kids
  • Sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide
  • Multilingual services

Contact us online or call us at (781) 899-7070 to schedule an appointment today!

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