Services

PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES

Amazing Kidz Pediatric Dentistry offers a wide variety of pediatric dental services:

  • Examination and Diagnosis of dental and soft tissue diseases
  • Positive psychology and re-enforcement
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oral conscious sedation
  • General Anesthesia (provided by Dental Anesthesiologist)
  • Dental cleanings and fluoride treatment
  • Sealants
  • Tooth colored fillings
  • Crowns
  • Pulp therapies
  • Extractions including wisdom teeth
  • Interceptive orthodontics
  • Whitening
  • Protective and Habit appliances
  • Emergency treatment
  • Silver Diamine cavity arresting medication

SEDATION TREATMENT OPTIONS

Sedation dentistry provides a safe and comfortable option for pediatric dental treatment for patients with specific needs. Sometimes called relaxation or sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry is a method of managing pain and anxiety during professional dental care through the use of medications. Your child may benefit from sedation dentistry if they experience one or more of the following:

  • Being too young to communicate, cope with, or understand the procedure
  • Short attention span
  • High fear or anxiety about dental care
  • Complex dental problems
  • Previously traumatic dental experience
  • Fear of needles/shots
  • Trouble getting numb
  • To protect their developing psyche

The two most common types of sedation dentistry are:

  • Inhalation Sedation- Nitrous Oxide
  • Oral Conscious Sedation

Nitrous Oxide

Many children and adults for that matter feel nervous or anxious about receiving dental work. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” can help alleviate this anxiety and help children relax while normally remaining awake during our dental procedures.

Dr. Shults uses nitrous oxide to help children receive the best dental care they may need in the best environment for them.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Unlike sedation dentistry and general anesthesia, nitrous oxide doesn’t cause patients to fall asleep or alter their state of consciousness. Your child will be fully conscious throughout the entire procedure.

The nitrous oxide dentists’ use is administered along with oxygen. Children who need nitrous oxide breathe the “laughing gas” through a small mask placed over their nose. The treatment is effective and quick — most children start to feel more relaxed within 2-3 minutes.

Is Nitrous Oxide Right for Your Child?

Dr. Shults is extremely experienced in working with children who have special needs or who may suffer from dental anxiety and will always make recommendations based on your child’s specific needs. He may recommend nitrous oxide if your child:

  • Is too anxious to sit still during dental procedures
  • Understand the need to complete dental work but isn’t able to relax without help
  • Has a medical condition that requires nitrous oxide during dental work
  • Previous attempts at treatments without nitrous oxide have been difficult or unsafe

At Amazing Kidz, we know every child is unique. Your child’s dentist will get to know you and your child, evaluate your child’s specific situation, and make a recommendation based on your child’s needs and best interests. Your child’s comfort, health, and safety are our top priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrous Oxide

How does nitrous oxide differ from conscious sedation dentistry?

Both conscious sedation dentistry and laughing gas (nitrous oxide) help children relax during dental procedures. With conscious sedation dentistry, children become very drowsy or even fall into a light sleep. With nitrous oxide, on the other hand, your child will be fully conscious throughout the entire procedure.

Conscious sedation dentistry is often used for children who are unable to undergo dental work even with the aid of nitrous oxide.

Is nitrous oxide safe?

Nitrous Oxide has had a safe track record and Dr. Shults has undergone extensive training that has prepared him to safely administer nitrous oxide to patients of all ages and will carefully monitor your child throughout the procedure to make sure he or she is comfortable and relaxed. We encourage you to ask about any concerns you may have.

Is nitrous oxide recommended for children with Autism?

Yes, and at Amazing Kidz, we work with many children who are on the Autism Spectrum, and we know that dental work can be especially challenging for them.

We will always make recommendations based on your child’s individual situation, many children with Autism may benefit from sedation as an option if nitrous oxide alone is not effective. In those cases, conscious sedation dentistry or general anesthesia may better meet their dental needs to provide a safer environment for care.

What should I do to prepare for my child’s appointment?

Your child’s dentist will give you a full list of pre-operative and post care-operative instructions. These may include the following:

  • Discuss your child’s full medical history with the dentist to help determine if nitrous oxide is the best fit
  • Bring a list of all your child’s current medications (both prescription and over the counter)
  • Notify us of any sudden change in your child’s health (such as getting a cold or flu)
  • Have your child wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to make it easy to apply patient monitors
  • Make sure your child avoids food and drink a few hours before and after the appointment
  • Watch for nausea, extreme drowsiness and other side effects after your child’s treatment
How long does nitrous oxide take to wear off?

Nitrous oxide wears off very quickly once administration is discontinued, so there is no prolonged drowsiness or dizziness after the procedure. Your child will remain on 100% oxygen for several minutes at the end of the procedure for observation to assure your child is ready to be sent home. In fact, your child will stop feeling the effects of laughing gas long before the numbness of local anesthesia wears off.

Call (480) 634-5686 to Schedule Your Appointment

 

Sedation Dentistry

When a child is unable to tolerate dental treatment or suffers from dental anxiety that can’t be overcome with laughing gas (nitrous oxide), conscious sedation dentistry may be a great alternative option.

At Amazing Kidz Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Shults uses conscious sedation dentistry to help children receive the dental care they need in a safe and comfortable environment.

How Does Conscious Sedation Dentistry Work?

Conscious sedation dentistry uses oral sedative medications to help your child relax prior to receiving dental treatment.

With conscious sedation dentistry, your child should become very drowsy or even fall into a comfortable sleep. They will still be able to interact with their dentist when spoken to, but relaxed enough to have reduced anxiety during their appointment.

Is Conscious Sedation Dentistry Right for Your Child?

Dr. Shults will always make recommendations based on your child’s specific needs and may recommend conscious sedation dentistry for your child if:

  • He or she isn’t able to undergo dental procedures, exams, or treatments even with the aid of laughing gas
  • His or her dental anxiety is so extensive that other methods of calming and relaxation are not effective
  • He or she has a medical condition that necessitates sedation for dental work
  • He or she is too young to wear a laughing gas mask or is too young to follow the dentists’ instructions

Remember, every child is unique. Dr. Shults will make recommendations based on the best interest of your child when considering all their needs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sedation Dentistry

How does conscious sedation differ from general anesthesia?

When general anesthesia is required, a patient is fully “asleep.” When placed under conscious sedation, patients are very relaxed and drowsy, but still aware enough to interact with their dentist if needed, conscious sedation is referred to as a “twilight sleep.”

Is conscious sedation dentistry safe?

Yes, when you help your child by following all the guidelines that we give you for a successful visit. Dr. Shults has completed extensive training that prepares him to safely treat your child. This form of sedation has been used for many years with great success to alleviate anxiety associated with dental work.

Is sedation dentistry recommended for children affected by autism?

As always, Dr. Shults will make recommendations based on your child’s unique situation and dental needs. Conscious sedation may help children affected by autism to receive dental care with reduced anxiety. There are times when a deeper level of sedation than conscious sedation is needed to provide help to meet their dental needs, this is where we can offer general anesthesia when needed.

Will my child always need sedation dentistry?

No, depending on your child’s medical and dental needs, sedation dentistry may be available to you when needed or requested for some or all of his or her treatments.

At Amazing Kidz Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to provide a relaxing, calming atmosphere to help children overcome their dental anxiety. Unless medically necessary, we generally recommend that most children should be able to undergo dental exams and minor procedures without the use of sedation dentistry.

We want you to know that, if your child (no matter his or her age) would benefit from sedation to help them tolerate any dental treatment needed, we are happy to discuss the options with you.

What do I need to do before and after my child’s appointment?

Dr. Shults will provide a full list of pre-operative and post care-operative instructions, which include:

  • Discuss your child’s full medical history with the dentist prior to their sedation appointment
  • Bringing a list of any medications your child is taking (prescription and non-prescription)
  • Notify us of any acute change in your child’s health (such as developing a cold or flu)
  • Avoiding food and drink for at least 6 hours before your child’s appointment
  • Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to assist in the application of patient monitors
  • Watching for nausea, extreme drowsiness or other side effects after your child’s treatment
How long does conscious sedation last?

Your child may be drowsy for a few hours after their treatment. It is important that you do not leave them unassisted during this period. We may evaluate your child at the office for some time after their appointment to assure that they are alert, responsive, and able to demonstrate the ability to protect their own airway.

Call (480) 634-5686 to Schedule Your Appointment

 

General Anesthesia

Not all children are able to tolerate dental procedures awake or without the aid of sedation. In fact, sometimes laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and conscious sedation aren’t sufficient enough to help a child receive the dental care he or she needs. Thankfully, there is another option available.

General anesthesia in some cases may be the best choice for your child.

How Does General Anesthesia Work?

General anesthesia is a state of closely monitored unconsciousness, like Doctors would use for ear tubes or tonsillectomy procedures. General anesthesia can be achieved by administering a gas or a combination of medications that are delivered through an IV. We use general anesthesia to keep your child completely asleep, allowing us to complete all necessary dental procedures typically in 1 visit. Once the dental procedures are complete, your child will begin to wake up as the medications wear off.

In our practice, we always use 2 practitioners for our general anesthesia cases; the anesthesiologist who administers the anesthesia and monitors your child, and the dentist who provides the dental procedures.

While your child is under general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will monitor your child’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygenation, temperature, and level of unconsciousness. The anesthesia provider will adjust the medications accordingly to make sure that your child remains completely asleep throughout the procedure and will also diligently monitor your child to keep his or her vital signs within a normal, safe range.

Our priority is to make sure that your child is as safe as possible throughout treatment.

Is General Anesthesia Right for Your Child?

Before recommending general anesthesia, special attention will be given to your child’s current state of health and previous health history. General anesthesia allows us to mitigate influencing factors such as behavior, anxiety, apprehension and cooperation. We may recommend the use of general anesthesia for your child if:

  • He or she isn’t able to tolerate dental procedures, exams, or treatments even with the aid of laughing gas or conscious sedation
  • His or her dental apprehension is so severe that other methods of calming and relaxation are insufficient
  • He or she has a medical condition that necessitates complete sedation during dental work
  • He or she requires an extensive amount of dental work
  • He or she is too young to tolerate dental procedures while awake
  • Previous attempts at treatments with other methods of sedation have been unsuccessful

At Amazing Kidz Pediatric Dentistry, we know that every child is unique. We will thoroughly evaluate your child’s specific situation before making a recommendation. We will consider his or her dental needs and health status when we make a recommendation so that it is in your child’s best interests.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anesthesia

How does General Anesthesia differ from Conscious Sedation?

When general anesthesia is used, your child will be completely “asleep.” When conscious sedation is used, patients become very relaxed and drowsy, but remain “awake” allowing them to interact with their dentist.

How safe is General Anesthesia?

Before proceeding with general anesthesia, our team works closely with you to make sure this is the best option for your child. When using general anesthesia in our office, there is always an anesthesiologist who is solely responsible for monitoring your child’s vital signs and adjusting the level of anesthesia used. Your child will be carefully monitored by your anesthesia provider throughout the appointment in order to keep him or her as safe as possible. Your child’s health, safety, and comfort are always our top priorities.

Is General Anesthesia recommended for children on the Autism Spectrum?

We know that every child affected by Autism is unique and that sometimes it is difficult for them to adjust to a new environment or to tolerate dentistry. We will work specifically with you and your child to tailor our treatments and recommendations to meet your child’s needs. Depending on the amount of dental work to be completed and their willingness to tolerate dental work, we may recommend general anesthesia to receive the dental care needed. Every child is different, so we will carefully consider all of the influencing factors in your child’s specific case before recommending a specific treatment method.

What do I need to prepare for my child’s appointment?

Dr. Shults and his team will provide you with a complete list of pre-operative and post care-operative instructions, which may include:

  • Discussing your child’s complete medical history with the dentist to determine if general anesthesia is the best option for them
  • Providing a list of all medications your child is taking (prescription and over the counter)
  • Following the dentist’s instructions when to take or avoid your child’s regular medications
  • Notifying us of any acute change in your child’s health (such as developing a cold or flu)
  • Avoiding food and drink at least 6 hours before your child’s appointment
  • Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to assist in the application of patient monitors
  • Bringing a favorite toy or blanket for your child to help relieve their anxiety on the day of surgery
  • Watching for nausea, extreme drowsiness or other side effects after your child’s treatment
How long does General Anesthesia take to wear off?

By closely monitoring and adjusting the level of anesthesia provided throughout your child’s treatment, we’re able to minimize the amount of time needed to “wake up” and recover. We will keep your child for observation and monitoring until he or she is awake, alert and responsive before we dismiss you and your child. You can expect your child to be a little drowsy for a few hours after his or her appointment.

Call(480) 634-5686 to Schedule Your Appointment