Treatment Modalities in Greensburg

Treatment Modalities in Greensburg

1. Local Anesthesia

When we fix cavities, we use local anesthesia (“novocaine”) to help reduce pain and keep your child comfortable. We start by rubbing some topical anesthetic (“numbing jelly”) to the gum tissue. To make the experience less scary, we often call it “sleepy juice” or “sleepy water” and describe that it puts their teeth “to sleep” so that they can’t feel anything.

Numbness will last for a few hours post treatment so it is important to monitor for lip, cheek, and tongue biting. Our goal is always to help your child feel safe, calm, and comfortable throughout their visit.

2. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas):

Getting dental work can be nerve-wracking for anyone, especially children. This is why we often recommend using nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). This safe and reliable option is given along with oxygen through a small, comfortable mask placed over your child’s nose.

Nitrous oxide is considered mild sedation so it does not make your child fall asleep. It simply helps to reduce anxiety and creates a calm, comfortable feeling while they are getting treatment. At the end of treatment, 100% oxygen replaces the nitrous oxide, and the effects wear off quickly.

3. IV Sedation:

In certain cases, IV sedation is the safest and most effective way to complete dental treatment in children. This may be recommended for children who need a large amount of dental work, who are very young, who have special needs, or who are unable to sit safely through treatment.

Our office works with an anesthesiologist who visits our office on scheduled days to provide this service. Before proceeding, your child’s pediatrician must complete a physical exam to ensure they are healthy and ready for sedation, as safety is always our top priority.