Sedation Dentistry

Alleviating Children’s Fear of Pediatric Dentistry in Gurnee & Vernon Hills, IL

The Gurnee and Vernon Hills pediatric dentists at Affiliated Dental Specialists will consider the use of sedatives during certain pediatric dental treatments. We know that visiting the dentist can often be a very scary and intimidating topic for young children. Sedation dentistry is offered to help your child relax when he/she is afraid or fidgety, has low pain tolerance, has physical handicaps or exhibits strong gag reflexes.

We commonly use sedation dentistry during treatments that require children to sit still and be calm, or those that can cause fear and anxiety such as:

• Lengthy dental visits
• Extensive restorative treatments
• Extractions
• Oral Surgery

Sedation dentistry is endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA) and is a very effective way to make your child comfortable during their dental visit. That is why our Gurnee and Vernon Hills children’s dentists have incorporated it into their work at Affiliated Dental Specialists.

Types of Sedation

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is often used as an inhalation analgesic during a dental procedure. Nitrous Oxide is administered with a mixture of oxygen and has a calming effect that helps anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Because it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk to their pediatric dentist during their visit. When treatment is completed and the gas is turned off, patients will breath oxygen for a few minutes to exhale any remaining laughing gas. The effects wear off almost immediately. Nitrous oxide rarely has side effects, although some patients may experience minor nausea or vomiting.

Hospital Sedation (General Anesthesia)

Sometimes children are unable to cooperate or require too much dental work to be completed in the office. These children may be treated in a hospital or surgery center setting under general anesthesia. Dr. Maddox is on the staff of The Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and treats patients under general anesthesia once a month. Dr. Orbon is on staff at Lake Forest Hospital and Hawthorne Surgical Center.

Here, an anesthesiologist monitors and keeps the patient comfortable while we are able to complete the needed treatment. This setting enables children who cannot cooperate in the office to have all of their dental work completed in one visit and have no recollection of the treatment. Our Vernon Hills and Gurnee pediatric dentists are very experienced in treating children in the hospital setting and may recommend this treatment in certain cases. Please feel free to ask questions during your child’s examination appointment to help understand what has been recommended for your child.

More information about surgeries at The Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago can be found online.