At our pediatric dental practice, led by Dr. Elizabeth Shin, we are proud to be one of the few offices in the area that offers a full spectrum of sedation options tailored to the needs of each child. From minimal sedation to general anesthesia, our goal is to ensure a comfortable, safe, and positive dental experience. Importantly, we prioritize behavior management techniques to minimize the need for sedation, encouraging better oral hygiene practices and helping children overcome their fears and apprehensions about dental care.
Minimal sedation involves the use of nitrous oxide, mixed with oxygen, breathed in through a mask placed over the nose. This sedation allows the child to feel relaxed while remaining fully awake and responsive. It’s ideal for mildly anxious children undergoing short procedures.
At BCC Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to making every dental visit a comfortable and positive experience for children. To help achieve this, we offer nitrous oxide sedation, a safe and effective sedative agent that helps anxious children relax during their dental procedures.
Commonly known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that is inhaled through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose. It is mixed with oxygen and breathed in through the nose, helping the child to feel calm and comfortable within minutes.
Nitrous oxide sedation is particularly useful for children who:
After the procedure, we provide all necessary post-care advice to ensure your child feels fine as the effects of the sedation quickly dissipate. Our team is always available to answer any questions and provide support as needed.
Moderate sedation can be administered orally or intravenously (IV). This level of sedation makes children more relaxed, and they may even fall asleep during the procedure but can still be awakened easily. They might not remember much about the treatment after it's done.
Oral sedation is a safe and effective way to help children relax during dental procedures. It involves administering a mild sedative in the form of a liquid or pill, which helps reduce anxiety and discomfort. Our sedatives are carefully selected and administered under strict guidelines to ensure the utmost safety of our young patients.
Oral sedation is particularly beneficial for children who experience high levels of dental anxiety, those with special healthcare needs, or when undergoing a lengthy dental procedure. It’s also a great option for little ones who have had traumatic dental experiences in the past or who have a strong gag reflex that interferes with dental treatment.
Deep sedation is also administered intravenously, taking the child to a deeper state of relaxation. Under deep sedation, children are usually asleep throughout the procedure and are less likely to remember any part of the treatment.
IV sedation involves the administration of sedative medication through a vein, allowing for rapid onset and a deeper level of sedation compared to oral sedation. This method is controlled by our expert anesthesiologist, providing a safe, effective, and adjustable sedation level throughout the dental procedure.
IV sedation is ideal for children who:
Administered in a hospital setting, general anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness where the child feels no pain and has no memory of the procedure. This option is reserved for extensive dental work, children with special healthcare needs, or those who do not respond well to other levels of sedation.
At our pediatric dental practice, led by Dr. Elizabeth Shin, who is credentialed in two prominent hospitals in the area, we prioritize the safety and comfort of all our young patients, especially those with particular health or medical conditions that require specialized care. For certain complex cases where in-office IV sedation is not suitable, we recommend general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Here’s what parents need to know about this process:
General anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness where the child feels no pain and has no memory of the procedure. It is administered to ensure that extensive dental work can be performed safely and comfortably, particularly beneficial for children with specific medical conditions that make in-office sedation a risk.
A hospital setting provides the highest standard of care with a full medical team. It is essential for children who might have complex medical histories or need additional monitoring that cannot be as extensively provided in a dental office setting. In these controlled environments, Dr. Shin, alongside an experienced anesthesiologist and our specialized pediatric dental team, will manage the procedure.
The safety of your child is paramount. In a hospital, your child will be under the constant supervision of an anesthesiologist and a medical team trained in pediatric care. They will monitor your child’s vital signs rigorously throughout the procedure to manage the anesthesia safely and respond immediately to any changes in their condition.
Prior to the procedure, your child will be required to fast for several hours, as instructed by the anesthesiologist. The anesthesia itself is typically administered via an inhalation mask or through an IV, depending on what’s best for your child’s specific situation. While your child is asleep, we will perform the necessary dental treatments.
After the dental work is completed, your child will be taken to a recovery area where they will continue to be monitored as they wake up from the anesthesia. Recovery times can vary, but children usually begin to wake up within an hour after the procedure ends. We provide detailed after-care instructions to help manage recovery at home and are available for any follow-up questions or concerns.
We are dedicated to providing the most comfortable and safe dental experience for your child, especially those who need extra care due to their health conditions. If you have any questions about why general anesthesia is recommended over in-office sedation for your child, or about the procedure itself, please reach out to us. Our goal is to ensure you feel fully informed and confident in the care your child receives.
Understanding that each child is unique, we focus heavily on behavior management techniques to create a friendly, fun, and supportive environment. The space feels more like a playroom than a clinic—bright colors, fun distractions, and a team that truly gets kids. By working closely with children and their families, we strive to improve oral hygiene practices and reduce dental anxieties over time. This proactive approach aims to decrease the future need for sedation and build positive dental habits that last a lifetime.
Make your child’s dental procedure easier, relaxing, and pain-free with our pediatric sedation dentistry in Bethesda and Chevy Chase. Schedule appointment today!
