Why We May Recommend Sedation
Every child is unique, and while many can complete dental treatment with reassurance and gentle guidance, others may need extra support.
Sedation ensures that necessary care can be provided safely and without trauma. By reducing fear and movement, it allows us to complete treatment efficiently while protecting your child’s trust in future dental visits.
Sedation may be recommended when children:
- Have dental anxiety or a fear of needles that makes routine dental procedures overwhelming.
- Are very young or not yet able to cooperate and sit through an entire dental appointment.
- Have special health care needs that make it difficult to stay still or tolerate treatment.
- Require multiple dental procedures or extensive care that would otherwise take many visits.
- Have had negative past dental experiences that increase anxiety in the dental chair.
In these situations, sedation can turn a stressful dental appointment into a safe and positive experience. It helps complete necessary treatment while supporting your child’s oral health, well-being, and confidence for future visits.
Tooth Be Told
We always start with the least invasive approach. Gentle guidance comes first, and if extra support is needed, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is often the next step. Advanced sedation or general anesthesia is only recommended when it is truly the safest and best choice for your child.
Types of Sedation We Offer
We use four levels of sedation, always beginning with the lightest option first. Each type is carefully chosen based on your child’s age, dental needs, and comfort level. Children are always closely monitored, and parents are fully informed about what to expect.
Here’s a comparison of when each type may be recommended, its benefits, and key considerations:
| Sedation Type | Best For | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) | Most common option. Great for kids that are anxious or needle‑phobic | Calms anxiety; provides moderate analgesic (pain reduction) children stay awake and responsive; quick recovery | Mild support; often enough for most children regardless of the procedure |
| General Anesthesia (GA) | Very young, uncooperative, highly anxious, extensive treatment needs, or children with special needs | Child is fully asleep and comfortable, allowing all treatment in one visit | Higher level of support; provided at Surgical Care for Children or Alberta Children’s Hospital |
| Anxiolytic Medication (Oral Conscious Sedation) | Older children, pre‑teens, or teens with significant anxiety | Reduces anxiety; makes dental visits more manageable | Examples include Ativan or Xanax; if prescribed, it must be taken in‑office 1 hour before the appointment |
| Moderate Oral Sedation (Midazolam with Nitrous Oxide) | Limited treatment needs (e.g., one quadrant of decay) | Provides mild relaxation | Least common, less predictable than other methods |
To help families feel confident, we take time to explain how each option works, review safety protocols, and answer every question before moving forward.
Parents as Partners
Parents are always 100% partners in care, and decisions are made together every step of the way. We follow your child’s lead, typically attempting treatment with the least invasive approach first, and moving to stronger sedation options if it is truly the best choice for your child’s oral health and emotional well-being.
Here’s how we approach sedation and involve families:
- Start with Tell-Show-Do, explaining each step in kid‑friendly language
- Attempt treatment gently, moving forward only if the child feels safe
- Keep parents fully informed, reviewing risks, benefits, and options in plain language
- Keep parents involved during treatment whenever possible
Our goal is always to help children feel comfortable today and confident returning for care in the future.
A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles Starts Here
Sedation dentistry helps children with dental anxiety, special needs, or complex treatment needs receive safe, effective care in a supportive setting. Whether your child simply needs nitrous oxide for a filling or general anesthesia for more extensive treatment, our pediatric dental specialists will guide you with compassion and expertise.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in SE Calgary, call 403-873-1414 or visit us at Health Plus Building 200, 290 Midpark Way SE Calgary, Alberta T2X 1P1.
FAQs
Is dental sedation safe for children?
Yes, all sedation options are carefully tailored to your child’s age, health history, and dental needs. Children are closely monitored throughout their dental appointment.
What are the common side effects of sedation?
Most are mild and temporary, such as drowsiness, dizziness, or nausea. We will provide clear instructions for care at home.
Will my child be awake during sedation?
With nitrous oxide, your child will be awake and responsive. With oral sedation or general anesthesia, your child may be drowsy or asleep, depending on the type used.
When is general anesthesia necessary?
General anesthesia is recommended for very young children who are not yet able to cooperate, those with extensive dental decay, children with special needs, or patients who are highly anxious.
Is there a kids dentist that offers sedation dentistry near me in SE Calgary?
BabyTooth in SE Calgary offers nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia for children who need extra support during dental procedures.
