Sedation
Options for a calm, comfortable experience when a child needs a little extra help.
What to expect
- A gentle approach first: tell-show-do, breaks, and distraction
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety, with your child awake and talking with us
- A review of your child's health history before any sedation
- Clear instructions on eating and drinking before the visit
- Monitoring throughout, until your child is ready to go home
Sedation options
Nitrous oxide
Mild support for children who need a little help relaxing. Your child stays awake and responsive, and it's often a simple office-based comfort option.
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- Breathed through a small, scented nose mask, mixed with oxygen
- Takes effect within a few minutes, and your child can still talk with us
- Wears off soon after the mask comes off, so most children go back to their usual day
- We'll let you know whether your child should eat lightly beforehand
Deep sedation
For children who need a deeper level of support for more involved treatment. Provided with appropriate medical oversight.
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- Medication that keeps your child deeply relaxed and sleepy through longer or more involved treatment
- A health review before the visit, with clear eating and drinking instructions to follow
- Continuous monitoring throughout, and recovery time before your child goes home
- Plan a quiet rest of the day, with an adult nearby
- [Sedation provider and setting, to be confirmed]
General anesthesia at hospital
For select cases that are safest to complete in the hospital setting, with anesthesia provided in the hospital environment.
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- Your child is fully asleep, with anesthesia given and monitored by the hospital's anesthesia team while Dr. Park completes treatment
- Usually considered for extensive treatment, certain medical needs, or when other options aren't safe or effective
- A pre-procedure evaluation, sometimes with clearance from your child's physician
- Most children go home the same day
- [Hospital affiliation, to be confirmed]
Why it matters
Most children do well with a gentle approach alone. For anxious or very young children, or for longer treatment, sedation can make care calmer and safer for everyone.
Common questions
Is laughing gas safe for kids?
Nitrous oxide is one of the most commonly used comfort options in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Park reviews your child's health history first and monitors them throughout, and it wears off soon after the mask comes off.
Will my child be asleep?
Not with laughing gas: your child stays awake and can talk with us. If deeper sedation is ever recommended, we'll explain why and walk you through every option first.