Massapequa Sedation Dentistry

Jay B. Lubliner, DMD provides sedation dentistry in Massapequa, NY. Call 516-798-0223 to learn more and schedule your appointment today.

When you think about visiting the dentist, do you ever feel a sense of fear or anxiety? It’s common to be a little nervous, but some people are so afraid that they skip visits even when they have a serious condition that needs treatment. When dental health issues go unaddressed, they will often become worse over time, and may require more dramatic treatments to repair. 

Sedation dentistry is the use of a mild sedative (calming drugs) to manage special needs or anxiety while your child receives dental care. It offers a safe and practical option that can help patients feel comfortable getting the dental procedures that they need, when they need them. 

During sedation dentistry, the patient will enter a relaxed or sleeping state, where they are less aware of the procedure. Sedation is often used for certain dental surgeries, such as wisdom tooth extraction, but we can provide any of our normal services under sedation as well. Sedation can also be used when several procedures need to be done at the same time, when the safety of a child may be compromised, or if your child has a strong “gag” reflex. Your child’s dentist will give the sedation. 

It is important to note that the sedation medication does not control pain or discomfort. Once your child has received sedation, the dentist will give him or her an injection (shot) or injections in the treatment area to keep it pain-free during and after the procedure. The sedation medicine may last up to 6 hours after the treatment is done

There are a few different options for sedation, depending on how aware you want to remain during the procedure. Some provide a sense of deep relaxation, but the patient will still be awake and able to communicate with their dental team. Other types of sedation put the patient completely to sleep, and they will wake up later after the procedure is finished.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a very safe, mild sedative that will help your child remain relaxed during dental procedures. Your child’s dentist will give the sedation with the use of a “space mask,” which carries air (oxygen) mixed with the medication. Your child will be asked to breathe through the nose, not the mouth, and will sense a faint, sweet smell. The sedation will take effect in about 5 minutes. The mask will remain in place until the procedure is done. Your child will be awake during the entire procedure and may have a “happy” feeling. When the procedure is complete, the nitrous oxide will be turned off and your child will breathe in pure oxygen for about 5 minutes to clear out any remaining gas. You should limit your child to a very light meal before this procedure, such as toast or a bagel.

Oral Sedation: If your child is nervous, oral sedation may be used. It is taken by mouth or through the nose. This type of medicine will make your child a little drowsy, and will keep him or her relaxed and calm during the procedure. The medicine usually begins to work within 20 minutes. Your dentist will have your child take the medicine once you arrive at the appointment. If your child is having sedation, he or she should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the appointment.

IV Sedation: Intravenous (IV) sedation requires a needle to be inserted into your child’s vein, usually in the arm or hand. Using an IV, the sedative enters the bloodstream quickly and can be very fast-acting.  You will be completely asleep and unaware during your dental treatment. The biggest advantage to IV sedation is that the dentist can give your child more medicine during a longer procedure to keep him or her relaxed. IV Sedation is administered in our office by a board certified anesthesiologist, who will monitor your sedation levels throughout the procedure. This is usually the form of sedation chosen by our more phobic patients, who want to be completely unconscious while the dental procedure is happening. 

When choosing Oral or IV Sedation, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure. 

Visiting the dentist doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. If anxiety is holding you back from getting regular dental care, sedation dentistry is a safe and effective solution that can help. Call us today for a consultation. We are happy to discuss your options, and to see if sedation dentistry might be right for you. 

Call 516-798-0223 to learn more and schedule your appointment today.

For children that are autistic or who are extremely young or nervous, a dentist may recommend sedation for dental procedures. Sedating a child is normally very safe, and there are things that parents can do to reduce the risks and stress level for their child before and after treatment.

If your child has anxiety about going to the dentist or has special needs, sedation dentistry is a proven, effective, and safe procedure to help ensure that your child receives the dental treatment he or she needs to provide good oral health for years to come.

Under a trained dentist, dental sedation is safe and effective for children. Indeed, dental sedation has a great track record in terms of safety. Your child's health and level of consciousness will be monitored very closely during sedation, including their respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure.

In dental offices nationwide, children who need cavities filled or teeth pulled are sometimes sedated. Ideally, it makes them less anxious and more cooperative. They may swallow a liquid sedative or inhale laughing gas and once it kicks in, they will be conscious but calmer, so the dentist can do extensive work.

It's an extremely safe way to make sure your child is comfortable during otherwise uncomfortable dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, and extractions. Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that can be easily controlled, does not affect heart rate, and has no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle problems particular to children, such as dental developmental difficulties and root canals on adult teeth that have not fully formed. However, most children are treated by general dentists.