Childrens Sedation Dentistry in Columbia, MO - Sedation dentistry for your apprehensive child
Our primary goal at Mid Missouri Dental Center is to make dentistry comfortable. We have two options if the patient is apprehensive.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also know as laughing gas, helps patients relax during their dental visits. It is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child's nose. The gas has a sweet scent and it is quickly eliminated from the body at the completion of the treatment. While inhaling nitrous oxide, the patient remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this technique as a safe, effective technique to use for treating children's dental needs.
General Anesthesia
We also offer anesthesia administered by a dental anesthesiologist in our practice. Intravenous sedation is a good option for younger or anxious patients with extensive dental treatment. Our sedation team has a minimum of three members including an anesthesiologist, dentist and nurse. All members have been specially trained by completing a sedation monitoring course certified by the Missouri Dental Board. While the dentist focuses on the treatment the anesthesiologist monitors the anesthetic prior to, during and after the procedure.
Side effects can vary but nausea and rarely a sore throat can occur. In the unlikely event that there is nausea afterwards, there are excellent medications to deal with this side effect.
Missouri State Law requires medical insurance to cover anesthesia for the following individuals:
- A child under the age of five.
- A person who is severely disabled.
- Someone who has a medical or behavioral condition which requires general anesthesia when dental care is needed.
There are however some patients who are not candidates for in-office anesthesia due to medical conditions. These patients will need to be treated in a Hospital setting. Please call our office to find out if your child is a candidate.
