BRENT CAPLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IN ROGERS, AR
Numbing, Happy Gas & Oral Sedation
Numbing (Local Anesthesia)
What is local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia, or “numb mouth”, numbs a localized area of the mouth where a particular procedure or treatment will be performed.
When your child receives local anesthetic, the mouth will become numb. Along with blocking sensation from the teeth, the lips, cheeks and tongue will be numb in the area of treatment. The administration of local anesthetic is safe and effective, but the numbing sensation may be puzzling to your child.
Some examples of when local anesthesia may be used include: tooth preparation, pulp therapy and extractions.
Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
What is aftercare for local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia will wear off in just a few hours. However, care must be taken that your child does not bite his or her lips or tongue. Therefore, please watch your child closely for approximately one and a half hours.
Avoid eating or drinking until the anesthetic is no longer numbing the mouth. If your child needs something before then, he or she may carefully have something to drink and may carefully eat soft solids such as ice cream, popsicles or jello.
What is nitrous oxide sedation treatment?
Nitrous oxide (happy gas) is a colorless gas with a faint, sweet odor that is commonly mixed with oxygen and inhaled through the nose during some dental procedures to reduce anxiety and pain and promote relaxation.
Many people feel nervous about having dental work done, especially more invasive or involved procedures. One solution for easing this anxiety is nitrous oxide sedation, also commonly called “laughing gas”. At the office of Dr. Brent Caple, pediatric dentist in Rogers, Arkansas, we offer nitrous oxide sedation to our patients for a relaxing stress free dental experience.
What is the procedure like?
Under nitrous oxide sedation, your child will be awake but should feel relaxed and not fully alert. After the procedure is finished, you will receive 100% oxygen for 3 to 5 minutes, and the effects of the gas will begin to lift.
What are the benefits of nitrous oxide sedation?
Nitrous oxide (happy gas) helps patients relax and feel at ease during the operative appointment. Some of the benefits of nitrous oxide sedation include:
Eliminates the apprehension, nervousness and tensions associated with dental procedures
Allows for a cooperative, well-managed pediatric patient
Induces a feeling of warmth and security
Permits needed injections of local anesthetic with less discomfort and with more profound results in most instances
Allows your child to stay awake during the procedure
Effects of nitrous oxide are no longer present within 2 to 5 minutes after the gas is stopped
What are the side effects of nitrous oxide?
Under the care of a professional dentist such as Dr. Brent Caple, the use of nitrous oxide sedation is considered safe by the American Dental Association. Many people have no side effects after use of nitrous oxide, but some possible aftereffects are nausea, headache, excessive sweating, shivering, dizziness, and fatigue.
Oral Sedation
What is oral sedation like?
Oral sedation involves the administration of sedative drugs given orally, to help reduce patients anxiety related to the dental procedures. An initial dose is usually in office approximately one hour before the dental appointment.
To learn more about the types of sedation we offer for children and to schedule an appointment at the office of pediatric dentist, Dr. Brent Caple, please request an appointment online or call our office today. Dr. Caple’s pediatric dental clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, serves families across Northwest Arkansas. We are always accepting new patients, and look forward to partnering with you to help your child enjoy a lifetime of oral and dental health.
To schedule an appointment at the office of Brent Caple, DDS, pediatric dentist serving Northwest Arkansas, request an appointment online or call our office today.