At Restoration Smiles: Adult & Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that dental treatment can feel overwhelming for some patients- especially young children with dental anxiety, special healthcare needs and those requiring extensive treatment. We perform sedation dentistry in select cases for children and adolescents who cannot tolerate dental treatment in the traditional setting.

Our Hudson dentist and our anesthesia team will review each case and determine if a patient will qualify for IV sedation/general anesthesia in the dental office. If you think your child may need IV sedation/general anesthesia for dental treatment, please mention this upon booking. There are certain procedures that cannot be done under sedation, and certain patients with medical conditions that cannot have sedation in office.

Consultation & Evaluation for IV Sedation/General Anesthesia

A consultation with our Hudson dentist is necessary before considering sedation. At this visit we will complete:

• A dental examination
• Review of medical history and medications
• Discussion of treatment needs
• Evaluation to determine if sedation or anesthesia is appropriate and safe for the individual patient

All patients will need a physical examination completed with their primary care physician within one year of the surgery date. The notes from this visit will need to be faxed to us for review by the anesthesia team.

If you are being referred to our office for sedation, please have all your records, including x-rays sent over from your previous/current dentist.

We will answer all questions and review the risks, benefits, and alternatives with you.

Most children needing sedation will be planned for general anesthesia, which is deeper than IV sedation, allowing them to be fully asleep and have no memory of the procedure. The determination of IV sedation vs. general anesthesia will be made by the dental and anesthesia team, in the patient's best interest, depending on the type of procedure needed.

Pre-Operative Instructions

You will receive detailed instructions prior to your appointment, including:

• Eating and drinking restrictions
• Medication instructions
• What to wear
• Transportation requirements
• What to expect the day of treatment

Following these instructions carefully is extremely important for safety.

Day of Treatment

On the day of the appointment:

• Vital signs will be reviewed and monitored throughout the procedure
• The anesthesia provider will administer sedation or anesthesia, while the dentist will complete the planned dental treatment.

Our team is focused on making the experience as smooth, calm, and stress-free as possible.

Falling Asleep with a Mask ("Mask Induction")

For many children, anesthesia begins gently by breathing medication through a small, soft mask placed over the nose and mouth. This is called mask induction.

The mask delivers anesthetic medication mixed with oxygen, allowing the patient to gradually and comfortably fall asleep. Once asleep, additional medications can be administered via an IV catheter and monitoring can be completed without causing fear or discomfort.

Parents are often relieved to know that this process is designed to feel calm, gentle, and non-traumatic for children.

Placement of a Breathing Tube

Once the patient is fully asleep, a breathing tube is carefully placed to help protect and support the airway during treatment.

The breathing tube:

• Helps ensure the patient continues to breathe safely throughout the procedure
• Protects the airway from water or debris during dental treatment
• Allows the anesthesia provider to continuously control and monitor breathing and oxygen levels

Patients are continuously monitored throughout the entire procedure by a trained anesthesia professional using specialized equipment that tracks:

• Oxygen levels
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Breathing
• Carbon dioxide levels

Recovery & Going Home

As children wake up from sedation it is common for them to be very emotional, confused, and irritable for a short period of time. Some children may cry, seem upset and push caregivers away as they wake up. This reaction is a normal effect of anesthesia medications and the transition from deep sleep to wakefullness. It does not mean that your child is in pain or something is wrong.

After treatment:

• Patients are monitored closely during recovery.
• Written and verbal post-operative instructions are reviewed
• A responsible adult must drive the patient home and remain with them afterward as instructed.
• Some grogginess, sleepiness, or mild nausea can be normal after sedation or anesthesia.
• Patients can often return to school/work the following day.

Safety Is Our Priority

Patient safety is our top priority. We carefully review each patient's medical history and work with experienced anesthesia professionals to provide safe, monitored care throughout the entire visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child/patient feel pain?

The goal of sedation and general anesthesia is to allow treatment to be completed comfortably and with minimal stress or discomfort. The patient is completely asleep during treatment.

How long does recovery take?

Most patients recover quickly, though some drowsiness may continue for the remainder of the day. Most can return to work/school the next day.

Can everyone have IV sedation or general anesthesia?

Not every patient is a candidate. A medical evaluation is needed beforehand to determine the safest option.

Will insurance cover sedation or anesthesia?

Our anesthesia team is not in-network with any private insurance. The cost of anesthesia is an out-of-pocket cost. However, for children with Masshealth insurance, the state does cover the cost of anesthesia. Please call our office to inquire about the cost and the process.

Do you do IV sedation/general anesthesia for adults?

Due to the complex nature of dental treatment for adults which often requires treatment over several visits and multiple specialties, we typically do not offer IV sedation/general anesthesia for adults. However, each case is unique and the possibility can be discussed with our dentist upon consultation. However, for patients needing permanent tooth extractions or implants under sedation, we work closely with several oral surgeons in the area. We can refer you to them for the surgery under IV sedation and then the patient can have the implant restored in our office.

What procedures cannot be done under sedation?

We do not perform root canals on permanent adult teeth, extractions of permanent adult teeth, placement of implants under sedation or other procedures that require a specialist.

We're Here to Help

If you have questions about IV sedation or general anesthesia, our team is happy to help guide you through the process and determine the best option for you or your child. Visit Restoration Smiles: Adult & Pediatric Dentistry at 2 Coolidge St Suite 202, Hudson, MA 01749, or call (508) 658-0661.