Most of your child’s dental care will be preventive. At Smith Pediatric Dentistry our dental team will clean your child’s teeth and discuss home care so you can help them properly brush and floss at home. Dr Smith will look at issues that affect their dental development, such as bottle feeding and thumb sucking. As they grow, we can provide sealants, which prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the back teeth, and sport guards, which keep the teeth of young athletes safe. If your child does need treatment, such as a filling or a crown, we will provide that treatment with gentle compassion and care for your child’s comfort.

At Smith Pediatric Dentistry we provide an exceptional dental environment for children. We offer an array of services that will grow with your child through the years and will strive to put them on the right path for a lifetime of good oral health.

Treatment Methods

NITROUS OXIDE

This is the most common way of treatment in our office for those with slight apprehension. Nitrous oxide reduces anxiety, has an analgesic effect and anti-gag property. Nitrous Oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that allows many children to complete dental treatment they wouldn’t otherwise allow. As with most dental procedures, local anesthetic will likely be required. Dr Smith and his hygienist will be gentle while placing the anesthetic. A topical anesthetic will be applied prior to administration of the anesthetic. The local anesthesia will be given slowly, and in a gentle comfortable manner to help eliminate any pain. Your child will be numb for the duration of the appt plus another 1-2 hours. During this time it is very important that a guardian keep an eye on them to make sure they do not bite or suck on the numb area. Dr smith also recommends parents give their child Motrin or Tylenol as needed for discomfort.
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At Smith Pediatric Dentistry we provide an exceptional dental environment for children. We offer an array of services that will grow with your child through the years and will strive to put them on the right path for a lifetime of good oral health.

Conscious Oral Sedation

In-office conscious sedation is used here at Smith Pediatric Dentistry. Conscious sedation is an option for healthy children 3 or older. This is administered in an oral form and accompanied with Nitrous Oxide. Dr Smith will complete an exam on every child and those children who are very young, have numerous and/or pressing treatment needs and high anxiety may have conscious oral sedation offered. Sedation can also be effective for some older kids or those with special needs.

There are many safe and effective drugs available. Dr will review your child's medical history and contact your primary care provider if necessary. We must obtain consent prior to sedating any child and decide if this treatment option is appropriate for your child. Sedation requires that your child be healthy and to be NPO (without food or drink) after midnight the night before surgery. The medicine will usually take 45-60 minutes to take affect.

Completing a conscious oral sedation for children who qualify allows treatment to be completed in a safe and controlled environment who otherwise would not allow treatment. We have a state-of-the-art dental office with new technology and trained staff to monitor your child and keep them safe. Although oral conscious sedation can be very effective, it is not a perfect science and some children will end up requiring additional help to complete needed treatment.

In-Office IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation requires a needle to be inserted into your child’s vein, usually in the arm or hand. The biggest advantage to IV sedation is that the dentist works together with an anesthesia provider to give your child more medicine during a longer procedure to keep him or her relaxed. Some preparation is required for this type of sedation.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is sometimes recommended to complete dental treatment. This is recommended for very young children, extensive treatment needs, severe apprehension, or more complex medical histories. This is a procedure that isn't completed in our office but Dr Smith and his team will help coordinate with a surgery facility to take care of your child's needs.

Pediatric Services

Treatment Methods