Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry offers a full array of dental services to help you maintain healthy teeth. You can read more on this page about specific services.
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- Dental Prophylaxis (Cleanings)
- Dental Radiographs
- Fluoride Treatments
- MI Paste
- Sealants
- Composite Restorations
- Stainless Steel Crowns
- Root Canal Therapy
- Extractions
- Space Maintenance
- Bitesplints
- Mouthguards
- Special Care
- Nitrous Oxide
- Conscious Sedation
- General Anesthesia (Operating Room)
- Dental Emergencies
Nitrous Oxide
Most children are calm, comfortable, and confident in a pediatric dental office. At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, our office is designed for young people, and our pediatric dentists have additional training in caring for
infants, children, and adolescents. Our staff members chose to work in a pediatric dental office because they like children and want to cater to their special needs. These elements combine to make your child feel relaxed
and special.
Sometimes children may feel anxious before or during treatment. Your child may need more support and a gentle caring manner to feel comfortable. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a
child’s fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication. Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O-O2) is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. A fitted mask is placed over the nose and, as the patient breathes normally, uptake occurs through the lungs. At the end of treatment, it
is eliminated after a short period of breathing oxygen and has
no lingering effects
.
Your child will smell a faint sweet aroma and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation. Since it may produce a feeling of giddiness, it is often called “laughing gas.” Children sometimes report dreaming and their arms and legs may feel “tingly.” It raises the pain threshold and may even make the time appear to pass quickly. If your child is worried by the sights, sounds or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may respond more positively with the use of nitrous oxide/oxygen.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated, has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations, and is non-allergenic. Your child remains fully conscious (keeps all natural reflexes) when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen. He/she will be capable of responding to a question or request. Nitrous oxide/oxygen may also be used in combination with other sedative agents.
Prior to operative appointments likely to be treated with nitrous oxide, limit food in the two hours preceding (occasionally, nausea or vomiting occurs when a child has a full stomach). Tell your pediatric dentist about any
respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child, as it may limit the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen. Be sure to notify your pediatric dentist if your child is taking any medication
on the day of the appointment.
At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists know that all children are not alike. Every service is tailored to your child as an individual. Nitrous oxide/oxygen may not be effective for some children,
especially those who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion, or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. We will review your child’s medical history, level of anxiety, and dental treatment needs and inform you if nitrous oxide/oxygen is
recommended for your child. Our pediatric dentists have comprehensive specialty training and can offer other sedation methods that are right for your child.
Sedation
Sedation may be indicated for children who have a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, those who are very young and do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion, or those requiring extensive dental treatment.
Sedation can also be helpful for some patients who have special needs.
Sedation is used for a child’s safety and comfort during dental procedures. It allows the child to cope better with dental treatment and helps prevent injury to the child from uncontrolled or undesirable movements.
Sedation promotes a better environment for providing dental care.
Various medications can be used to sedate a child. Medicines will be selected based upon your child’s overall health, level of anxiety and dental treatment recommendations.
Sedation can be used safely and effectively when administered by a pediatric dentist who follows the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists will discuss sedation options and patient monitoring for the safety and comfort of your child.
Should your child become ill prior to a scheduled sedation appointment, contact our office to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment. Tell our pediatric dentists about any prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal medications your child is taking. Check with our pediatric dentists to see if routine medications should be taken the day of the sedation.
Our office will provide you with additional detailed instructions before your sedation visit. It is very important to follow the directions regarding fasting from fluids and foods prior to the sedation appointment.
On your appointment day, we will evaluate your child’s health status and discharge your child when they are responsive, stable, and ready to go. Children recover from effects of sedatives at different rates so be prepared to remain at the office until the after-effects are minimal. Once home, your child must remain under adult supervision until fully recovered from the effects of the sedation. Your pediatric dentist will discuss specific post-sedation instructions with you, including appropriate diet and physical activity.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is controlled state of unconsciousness that eliminates awareness, movement, and discomfort during dental treatment. General anesthesia is the most involved sedative we offer at Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry to treat dental decay, and it involves same-day surgery. All treatment is completed in a hospital operating room suite under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
General anesthesia may be indicated for children with extensive dental needs who are extremely uncooperative, fearful, or anxious or for the very young who do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion. General anesthesia also can be helpful for children requiring significant surgical procedures or patients having special health care needs.
Although there is some risk associated with general anesthesia, it can be used safely and effectively when administered by an appropriately-trained individual in an appropriately-equipped facility. Precautions are taken to protect your child during general anesthesia; personnel who are trained to manage complications will monitor your child closely. At Mid-Michigan Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists will discuss the benefits and risks of general anesthesia and why it is recommended for your child.
A physical evaluation is required prior to general anesthesia for dental care. This physical assessment provides information to ensure the safety of your child during the general anesthesia procedure. Our office will advise
you about evaluation appointments that are required.
Parents are instructed to report any illness that occurs prior to the general anesthesia appointment as it may be necessary to reschedule the appointment. It is very important to follow instructions regarding fasting from
fluids and foods prior to the appointment.
Your child will be discharged when stable, alert, and ready to depart. Patients often are tired following general anesthesia. You will be instructed to let the child rest at home with minimal activity until the next day.
Post-operative dietary recommendations also will be given.