Pediatric Dental Sedation

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of sedation during dental treatment. Sedation is most commonly used during extensive procedures, for patients with dental phobia or for patients who find it difficult to sit still. There are different types of sedation, including nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), IV sedation, and general anesthetic.

Sedation can range from the use of nitrous oxide to calm a patient to general anesthetics used to put patients to sleep. Patients with dental phobia, low pain tolerance, major dental treatment, physical handicaps, or strong gag reflexes may require sedation. Procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, cosmetic procedures, and periodontal treatments often require sedation.

The American Dental Association supports sedation as a useful tool for making many patients comfortable during dental visits. 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, your pediatric dentist will talk to you about the process of sedation and pre- and post-sedation instructions.

IV Sedation for Children

What is IV sedation?

IV sedation is medicine given through a small, thin tube (an IV) placed in a vein, usually in your child's hand or arm. Because the medicine goes straight into the bloodstream, it works within minutes, and the provider can adjust the dose at any point during the visit. Most children feel sleepy and relaxed, and many do not remember much of the appointment afterward.

IV sedation can be a good fit for children who:

• Feel strong fear or anxiety about dental care
• Need several treatments, such as multiple fillings or crowns, that are easier to complete in one visit
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have special health care needs that make sitting still hard
• Are too young to cooperate through longer treatment

How safe is IV sedation for children?

IV sedation is a safe option for children when trained providers follow the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The two groups wrote these guidelines together and reaffirmed them in 2025. They rest on one simple rule: no child receives sedating medicine without trained professionals, monitoring equipment, and an emergency plan in place.

At Coastal Kids, IV sedation is given by a physician anesthesiologist, a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in anesthesia and comes to our office for sedation visits. During treatment, the anesthesiologist's only job is your child's sedation and safety, while our pediatric dentist focuses on the dental care.

Why IV sedation is made safe: the steps behind every visit

Safety starts before the appointment and continues after your child goes home. The AAPD and AAP guidelines call for:

• A health review before sedation. The team reviews your child's medical history, medications, allergies, and any past reactions to sedation or anesthesia. They also check your child's airway, including large tonsils, which can affect breathing during sedation.
• Fasting instructions. You get clear rules about when your child must stop eating and drinking. An empty stomach lowers the risk of food or liquid getting into the lungs during sedation.
• Trained staff in the room. Providers must be able to rescue a child from a deeper level of sedation than the one planned. For deeper sedation, a second trained person whose only job is to give medicine and watch your child stays in the room, separate from the person doing the dental work. At our office, that person is the anesthesiologist. Both hold current certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or a similar course.
• Constant monitoring. Your child's oxygen level, heart rate, and breathing are watched the entire time with equipment such as a pulse oximeter (a soft clip on the finger) and capnography, which tracks each breath.
• Child-sized emergency equipment. Airway equipment sized for children and medicines that reverse sedation stay ready in the room.
• Careful recovery. Your child is watched until they are back to their normal level of alertness before going home.
• Clear take-home instructions. You get instructions on what to expect, what to watch for, and who to call.

Is IV sedation right for my child?

The best way to know is a visit with our pediatric dentists. We will look at your child's dental needs, health history, and comfort level, then explain each option, from laughing gas to IV sedation, so you can choose what feels right for your family. Call (912) 638-9302 to schedule.

Source: AAPD and AAP, Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During, and After Sedation(opens in new tab) (reaffirmed 2025).

"Laughing Gas"

Nitrous, or laughing gas, is a safe and effective way to reduce children's anxiety and pain during dental procedures. It is a sedative that works by calming the central nervous system. It is not a painkiller, but it can help to make the child more comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.

Nitrous is administered through a mask that the child wears over their nose and mouth. Our pediatric dentist will adjust the gas flow to provide the child with the desired level of sedation. The child will feel a pleasant, relaxed feeling and may even giggle or laugh. They will still be aware of what is happening but feel less anxious and pain.

Nitrous is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and pain during dental procedures for children. It is a good option for children anxious about going to the dentist or having difficulty sitting still during dental procedures.

Here are some of the benefits of nitrous oxide for children:

• Reduces anxiety. Nitrous "laughing gas" can help to reduce anxiety and fear associated with dental procedures.
• Reduces pain. Nitrous "laughing gas" can help to reduce pain during dental procedures.
• Improves cooperation. Nitrous "laughing gas" can help children to be more cooperative during dental procedures.
• Is safe. Nitrous "laughing gas" is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and pain during dental procedures for children.