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Pediatric Sedation In Fullerton

We get it — going to the dentist isn’t always easy for children. Many kids have a hard time sitting still, which can make dental care difficult. Others may be anxious or scared about visiting the dentist. With our sedation options, your child can feel totally comfortable and relaxed during their treatment. It’s just one of the many ways we make each visit a positive experience.

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Why Should I Choose Pediatric Sedation For My Child?

Pediatric sedation is a good option to consider for your child’s dental appointments because it can make a big difference in how they view the dentist. It helps keep them calm and relaxed, especially if they struggle to sit still or get nervous. This way, the dentist can do their work with ease, and your child won’t feel scared or uncomfortable. It’s all about making sure they get the dental care they need in the most stress-free way possible. Just have a talk with your dentist to see if it’s the right fit for your child’s needs.

Going to the dentist shouldn’t be scary, but sometimes little ones get nervous and antsy during their visits. Fortunately, you have several gentle sedation options to help your child feel relaxed and stay still, which allows their treatment to go by faster. At ChildSmiles OC, we’ve created a warm, supportive environment where even the most nervous children can receive the dental care they need while feeling comfortable and relaxed.

 

Dr. Mehdi Dowlaty, our board-certified pediatric dentist, combines extensive training in pediatric sedation, personalized care, and advanced technology to give your child the high-quality, kid-focused treatment they deserve. We prioritize your child’s safety, comfort, and oral health every step of the way to help build confidence and trust from an early age.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

With all the machines, noises, and tools in a dentist’s office, children may have trouble staying calm and relaxed before and during a procedure. In fact, approximately nine percent of children in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia have dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry acts like a cozy security blanket that alleviates worries and makes the time in the dental chair fly by more comfortably. We take a kid-focused approach to sedation, customizing the level to match your child’s needs perfectly.

 

We have several special options that range from just a touch of relaxation to dreamier states of calm for longer procedures. Our dedicated team chooses the right choice for your child based on their unique personality, medical needs, and preferences. With special training in helping children feel safe and secure with sedation, you can trust us to make your child’s experience gentle and positive.

When Is Sedation Dentistry Recommended?

Every child has their own feelings about visiting the dentist, so before we start any treatment, we discuss their needs and sedation options to determine what’s best for them. We’ve found that the following situations often benefit from a little extra help with relaxation during treatment:

 

  • Children who feel extra nervous or frightened about dental procedures
  • Little ones who find it challenging to sit still for the time needed to complete treatment
  • Kids who need several dental procedures done in the same visit
  • Children with special healthcare needs 
  • Children who may have had scary dental experiences in the past
  • Young children who are still learning how to cooperate during dental treatment

 

We take the time to get to know your child and understand what makes them comfortable. Working together with you, we create a positive environment that helps build their confidence with each visit to our office.

Types of Sedation We Offer

Based on our discussion during your consultation, we will create a tailored sedation dentistry plan using one of our many options. We administer the following types of sedation with extra care and attention to ensure your little one feels secure throughout their visit:

 

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): A light, mild gas your child inhales to keep them relaxed while staying awake
  • IV sedation: Gentle medication given intravenously that we often recommend for children with special needs or more intense anxiety
  • General anesthesia: Recommended for the most invasive treatment to keep your child completely asleep, so they don’t feel or remember anything about their procedure.

 

If your child has special needs or is too young to receive sedation in our office, we have hospital privileges that allow your child to receive their treatment in a safe, monitored environment with a certified pediatric anesthesiologist.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry for Children

Choosing sedation dentistry at ChildSmiles OC offers excellent benefits beyond just helping your child get through a single appointment. Our approach combines advanced sedation techniques with a deeply compassionate understanding of children’s emotional needs around dental care, transforming your child’s experience in the following ways:

 

  • Creates happy, positive dental memories that help children feel good about future visits
  • Allows us to complete multiple treatments in one visit, meaning fewer trips to the dentist
  • Helps prevent the development of dental fears that might follow them into adulthood
  • Makes it possible for children to receive important care they might otherwise miss out on
  • Provides a gentler experience for children with special needs or sensory sensitivities
  • Helps children forget the details of potentially uncomfortable procedures
  • Gives parents the peace of mind that comes from seeing their child comfortable and relaxed

 

At ChildSmiles OC, Dr. Dowlaty brings over 15 years of specialized pediatric experience to every sedation procedure. As a father, he understands parents’ natural concerns when considering sedation for their little ones. His gentle approach and board certification in pediatric dentistry mean your child receives the highest standard of care in the most nurturing environment possible.

Why Choose ChildSmiles OC for Sedation Dentistry?

Our caring team understands the importance of finding a sedation dentist you trust to care for your child during treatments, especially if your child has anxiety, trouble sitting still, or special needs. We strive to make your decision easy by standing out in the following ways:

Fun Office Designed for Kids

We designed our office with children’s comfort in mind, featuring special amenities like entertainment and iPads in treatment rooms that help create a positive atmosphere before, during, and after sedation. We’ve invested in the most advanced monitoring equipment available, ensuring your child’s safety while allowing us to provide the most precise treatments while they’re comfortably sedated.

Personalized Care

From our front desk staff who greet your child by name to our dental assistants who specialize in caring for sedated children, everyone on our team strives to make the experience exceptional and tailored to your child’s needs, so they leave our office feeling positively about the dentist.

Free Meet and Greet

We offer free “Meet and Greet” sessions for families considering sedation dentistry. During these no-obligation visits, your child can explore our kid-friendly office, meet our team, and even sit in the dental chair while you discuss any concerns. These introductory visits can make all the difference in your child’s comfort level when they return for treatment.

Flexible Financial Options

We understand sedation dentistry can be a major investment in your child’s care, so we offer flexible financing options to make these services accessible to all families. Through partnerships with CareCredit and our in-house payment plans, we can create a financing arrangement that works with your family’s budget and maximizes your insurance benefits. 

How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?

To ensure a calm and positive experience, ChildSmiles OC offers both Nitrous Oxide and IV Sedation:

  • Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): $100 – $200 per visit
  • IV Sedation: $800 – $1,400+

These options are ideal for patients undergoing complex procedures or who may feel anxious during treatment.

What Influences Sedation Cost:

  • Type and duration of sedation
  • Length and complexity of treatment
  • Individual medical needs

We’re committed to safe, stress-free visits for every child. All major dental insurance plans are accepted, and membership plans are available. Contact us to learn more and schedule your child’s visit.

Schedule a Sedation Dentistry Consultation With ChildSmiles OC Today

If your child gets nervous about dental visits or has special needs that make traditional appointments challenging, ChildSmiles OC offers several gentle sedation options. Our compassionate approach helps transform dental anxiety into positive experiences that build confidence and trust.

 

With family-friendly hours that include evening appointments, we make it easy to fit quality dental care into your busy schedule. Reach out today at (714) 253-3172 or through our online appointment form to learn how we can make your child’s next dental visit a comfortable, positive experience!

Complimentary Meet & Greets

Overcoming the fear of going to the dentist can be a challenge. That’s why we encourage parents to bring their little ones for a tour of the office and to meet the team. Their dentist will “count their teeth” and show them how cool going to the dentist can be, so they can get excited about their oral health!

Healthcare Financing Options

Membership Plans Available

Insurance-Friendly Office

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The Benefits of Pediatric Sedation

Reducing Fear and Dental Anxiety

Visiting the dentist can be intimidating for children, especially for procedures like fillings. Sedation allows your child to feel calm and relaxed, ensuring a more comfortable experience during their dental appointment.

Minimizing Pain and Discomfort

When used with local anesthetics, sedation is highly effective in minimizing any potential pain and discomfort during dental treatments. This not only makes the process smoother for your child but also gives you peace of mind knowing they are comfortable.

Addressing Gag Reflex and Needle Phobia

Certain types of sedation can significantly reduce your child’s gag reflex. This is particularly beneficial for dental work on the back teeth. Sedation also helps alleviate the common fear of numbing needles.

What makes us different

Hospital Privileges

If your child has special needs or is too young to be sedated in-office, our team has hospital privileges. This means your child can have general anesthesia performed by a certified pediatric anesthesiologist in a safely monitored environment. We will carefully take care of your child’s treatment with hospital resources in that one appointment so that you and your child can get back to smiling.

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.

IV Sedation Available

IV sedation is delivered directly to the bloodstream, putting your child into a state of deep relaxation. Ideal for those with severe anxiety or other special needs, little patients who receive IV sedation may fall asleep during treatment, but they can be easily woken to respond to commands.

General Anesthesia for Severe Anxiety

General anesthesia is usually reserved for only the most invasive dental surgeries, as it requires the use of a ventilator to help patients breathe. The primary benefit of general anesthesia is that it will render your child completely unconscious, they will not feel anything or remember anything about their treatment.

Laughing Gas for Little Smiles

The most mild form of sedation, nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or minimally inhaled sedation, is a safe way to ensure your child stays relaxed during their treatment.

The Pediatric Sedation Treatment Process

Initial Consultation & Approval

Before considering sedation for your child, your child’s pediatric dentist will evaluate their health history, current medications, supplements, and other relevant health information. If your child is a good candidate, you will be informed about the available sedation options and which one will best suit their needs.

Preparation & Sedation

Your child’s pediatric dentist will let you know if there’s anything you need to prepare before your child’s appointment. On the day of the visit, your child will receive sedation in our office, helping them stay calm and comfortable during their treatment.

Sedation Aftercare

Your child’s recovery process depends on the type of sedation used. They may recover within just a few minutes or require some special aftercare and monitoring after their appointment. Your pediatric dentist will give you all the details you need to care for your child after their treatment.

FaQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.

Sedation is used to help children feel calm, comfortable, and relaxed during dental visits. Some children feel nervous, have trouble sitting still, have strong gag reflexes, or need longer or more involved treatment. Pediatric sedation dentistry in Fullerton allows dental care to be completed safely while reducing fear, stress, and discomfort. It can be especially helpful for young children, kids with anxiety, or children with special health care needs. Many families explore sedation alongside care from our Pediatric Dentistry or Special Needs Dentistry services.
Your child’s pediatric dentist will let you know if there’s anything you need to prepare before your child’s appointment. On the day of the visit, your child will receive sedation in our office, helping them stay calm and comfortable during their treatment.
The experience depends on the type of sedation used. Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, helps children feel relaxed and calm while staying awake. Oral or IV sedation usually makes children very drowsy and deeply relaxed, and many remember little of the visit. General anesthesia places children fully asleep for more involved procedures. The goal in every case is to create a gentle, stress-free experience while allowing dental care to be completed safely. Oral conscious sedation or IV sedation often results in a drowsy, sleepy state. Children might fall asleep and have little to no memory of the procedure but can still respond to instructions. General anesthesia provides the deepest sedation. Your child will be completely unconscious and unable to feel or remember the procedure.
Yes, when properly evaluated and administered, pediatric sedation dentistry is considered safe for children of many ages, including toddlers. Safety always comes first. Before any sedation, the team carefully reviews your child’s health history and selects the most appropriate method. Throughout the appointment, children are closely monitored, and parents receive clear instructions before and after treatment. Pediatric sedation in Fullerton is always tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Sedation options range from mild relaxation with nitrous oxide to deeper levels such as IV sedation or general anesthesia. The recommended option depends on your child’s age, comfort level, medical history, and the type of treatment being performed. Some children only need light relaxation, while others benefit from deeper sedation for complex or lengthy procedures. These options are often used alongside Pediatric Restorative Dentistry or Special Needs Dentistry care.
Preparation depends on the type of sedation being used. Your child’s dentist will provide specific instructions, which may include eating and drinking restrictions, medication guidance, and what to expect on the day of the visit. Following these directions closely helps ensure a smooth, safe experience. Parents are also given clear aftercare instructions so they know how to support their child’s recovery at home.
The cost of sedation depends on the type used and the length and complexity of the procedure. Nitrous oxide is typically less costly, while IV sedation and general anesthesia involve more extensive monitoring and training. Most major dental insurance plans are accepted, and membership plans are available to help manage costs. A personalized estimate is always provided after your child’s consultation so families understand their options.