Sedation Dentistry

Imagine your child undergoing a complex dental procedure—like an extraction or root canal—without anxiety, fear, or discomfort. When the treatment is over, they may not even remember how long it took, the noise, or any discomfort.

At Canton Pediatric DentistryClick to open in this tab, we offer safe, effective sedation dentistry options tailored to meet your child’s unique needs. Sedation can make dental visits easier and less stressful for children who:

Experience fear or anxiety at the dentist
Have difficulty sitting still for extended periods
Struggle to get or stay numb with traditional anesthetics

Our goal is to make every visit as calm and comfortable as possible for both you and your child. We offer oral sedations and general anesthesia and work with a local CRNA.

A young girl sitting in a dentist chair, looking around with curiosity in a bright dental office

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your pediatric dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for children who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

Sedation can help reduce the fear associated with dental care and help create a positive, fear-free association with dental care.

Levels of Sedation

Sedation dentistry is carefully regulated by law, and we only recommend it when it’s safe and appropriate for your child. There are three levels of sedation, depending on your child’s needs and the complexity of the procedure.

Mild Sedation (Anxiolysis): This is the lightest level of sedation and is ideal for children with mild dental anxiety. Typically administered orally, it helps your child feel calm and relaxed while remaining awake. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is also commonly used at this level for its fast-acting, calming effect. Recovery is quick—most children resume normal activities within a few hours after their visit

A woman smiles while holding a baby in her arms, radiating warmth and joy

Two young girls lying on the grass, smiling joyfully at the camera under a clear blue sky

How Sedation Is Administered

We offer two common and safe methods of sedation at Canton Pediatric Dentistry:

Inhalation Sedation (Nitrous Oxide): Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a gentle and effective way to help children relax. It’s inhaled through a small mask and wears off quickly, so your child can return to normal activities soon after the appointment
Oral Sedation: With this method, your child takes a prescribed liquid or pill about an hour before their appointment. By the time you arrive, they’ll feel calm and fully relaxed, but still responsive. This is a great option for children with mild anxiety or those who will be having a shorter procedure

Please contact our practiceClick to open in this tab to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for your child.

Canton
1657 North Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48187
frontdesk@cantonpediatricdentist.com
(734) 335-7270