Advanced Hospital Dentistry in Chicago, IL
Sometimes, children who are emotionally unable to cooperate with dental care or who have special needs may require sedation dentistry in order for their appointment to be truly safe and comfortable. At Growing Smiles, our team is happy to accommodate these patients. Dr. Kristin, Dr. Reena, Dr. Paula, and Dr. Lexi are all on-staff at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and they can provide comprehensive treatment while your child sleeps safely with the help of sedative care. Contact us today to schedule a first appointment!
Does my child need sedation?
Our dentists typically recommend sedation dentistry in cases where a child has one or more teeth that require immediate attention, but they’re unable to cooperate with treatment. At Growing Smiles, we offer nitrous oxide (a mild gas that’s inhaled through a nasal mask) and general anesthesia, which is a deep level of sedation and is typically reserved for longer, more complex procedures. Pediatric anesthesiologist and other professionals will be on-site to monitor your child when they’re undergoing general anesthesia at the children’s hospital to ensure their safety.
In what situations is general anesthesia recommended?
If a young child who cannot successfully undergo restorative treatment has cavities, they may not need to be restored. Diligent brushing and fluoride treatment can often reverse early signs of tooth decay. However, once the cavity has penetrated the enamel surface, it must be addressed in order to prevent severe dental pain and infection down the road. At Growing Smiles, we are likely to recommend general anesthesia in the following situations:
- Toddlers who have multiple cavities.
- Older children who are, for whatever reason, unable to cooperate with in-office dental care.
- Children of all ages who have special needs that require unique attention, such as autism or cerebral palsy.
Are there risks involved?
When a child is medically placed in a sedative state, this does lead to elevated risks of airway complications. This is why an on-site pediatric anesthesiologist will help to control your son or daughter’s breathing throughout their procedure, minimizing the possibility of problems and allowing their treatment to be carried out as predictably and safely as possible.
What are the benefits of choosing hospital dentistry?
Treating children in a hospital setting with general anesthesia offers several significant, long-term benefits to parents, including the following:
- The procedure is completely painless for your sleeping child.
- Your child doesn’t have to be restrained and can remain comfortable and safe.
- Your child can receive several dental procedures at once, which is more convenient for the patient’s schedule and reduces any dental-related anxiety the child may experience.
- The overall pleasantness of general anesthesia helps your child maintain a positive attitude about the dentist and dental care.
- With the help of general anesthesia, Dr. Kristin, Dr. Reena, and the rest of our team can take *even more* time with restorative work, allowing for meticulous and highly successful results that look seamlessly natural.