Sedation Dentistry for Kids – Leesburg, VA

A Safe & Fear-Free Environment for Your Child’s Precious Smile

At Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids, our goal is to ensure a safe, positive and memorable experience for our detectives at each visit. As such, we maintain a soothing and comforting kid-friendly dental office environment! However, we completely understand dental anxiety and are fortunate to offer various pediatric sedation dentistry options in Leesburg to ensure our young agents are able to relax comfortably for their appointments and smile brighter at the end.

Why Choose Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids for Your Child’s Sedation Dentistry?

Multiple Sedation Options to Ensure Patient Comfort
Experience Caring for Patients with
Special Needs
We Accept
& Maximize
Dental Insurance

Nitrous Oxide
(Laughing Gas)

Young girl giving thumbs up while visiting sedation dentist for kids in Leesburg

For our detectives who may need minimal assistance to manage mild anxiety or a gag reflex, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is available. Nitrous gas is colorless, sweet-smelling, and administered in conjunction with oxygen. During the appointment, the child breathes nitrous oxide through a scented nose mask and remains conscious, fully alert, and responsive. Once treatment is completed, the nitrous gas is turned off, allowing it to leave the body with each breath. So, within a matter of minutes, the child is back to breathing regular air again.

Oral Conscious Sedation

For our detectives who are young, may have mild to moderate dental anxiety, and/or may need sufficient dental treatment, oral conscious sedation is available. After reviewing your child’s medical history and dental needs, we provide an oral prescription of medication(s) to be taken at your appointment in our office. As the medication begins to take effect, your child will become very sleepy. After a 30–60 minute waiting period, we place the nitrous oxide nose mask and slowly calm your child into a more comfortable and relaxed state. Your child will be conscious, responsive and breathing independently during treatment. It usually takes a few hours to recover from oral conscious sedation.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

For our detectives who are young, struggle with cooperation and may have extensive dental needs, intravenous sedation is available. At Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids, we have a board-certified medical anesthesiologist, Dr. Grace Lee Dorsch, who will administer any medications and monitor the safety of your child for the duration of the sedation appointment. This form of anesthesia produces a “twilight” state of mind; your child will be semi-conscious and able to breathe independently. It usually takes a few hours to recover from this type of sedation.

(Please note, for all intravenous sedation appointments, Dr. Dorsch will talk with parents prior to the visit to review pre- and post-anesthesia instructions.)

General Anesthesia

For our detectives with extensive dental needs or complex medical histories, for whom in-office treatment may be unsafe, general anesthesia is available in a hospital setting. At INOVA Loudoun Hospital, Dr. Takiar maintains outpatient medical privileges and a pediatric anesthesiologist oversees the anesthesia procedure of our patients. General anesthesia includes the utilization of inhaled gases and intravenous drugs to produce a completely unconscious state. Once all dental treatment is completed, the patient is sent to recovery and dismissed for home by the end of the day.

(Please note, for all general anesthesia appointments, INOVA Loudoun Hospital administrators will talk with you prior to your visit to review pre- and post-anesthesia instructions.)

Sedation Dentistry for Kids FAQs

We want you to feel comfortable and confident that your child’s health and smile are in safe, highly capable hands, which is why we are always happy to address any questions you may have. Below, we have highlighted some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from parents about children’s sedation dentistry in Leesburg. If you do not see the answers that you are looking for, please do not hesitate to give us a call !

Is sedation dentistry safe for children?

Dr. Takiar is a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. As a specialist, she follows the latest standards of care and protocols as they pertain to sedation dentistry, ensuring that your child receives safe, ethical, and informed care. If you are concerned for your child’s safety or have any questions prior to their appointment, our team is happy to thoroughly consult with you and make sure that you get the answers you need to feel confident moving forward.

When would children’s sedation dentistry be appropriate?

At Tooth Clues, we do everything we can to help our little detectives feel right at home in our office, including creating a warm and soothing environment. However, we realize that in some cases, sedation dentistry may be necessary and favorable to ensure a positive experience. These scenarios may include:

If your child has severe anxiety or fear surrounding visiting the dentist.
If your child has a physical or developmental disability that makes sitting in the treatment chair uncomfortable or difficult.
If your child becomes overstimulated by the sights, sounds, and smells of the dental office easily.
If your child requires more extensive treatment.

Is sedation safe if my child has an underlying medical condition?

Before any child receives sedation dentistry in Leesburg, Dr. Takiar will consult with the parents, making sure that any questions are answered. Our team will also collect a detailed medical history, allowing us to determine if sedation is a safe option for your little one.

Based on your child’s medical history, Dr. Takiar may not recommend in-office sedation for them. In these cases, she may suggest administering sedation at INOVA Loudoun Hospital, where she maintains outpatient privileges.

What does a children’s dental sedation appointment entail?

Throughout your child’s appointment, regardless of the type of dental sedation that they receive, they will be continuously monitored by trained professionals the entire time. This will include tracking their blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and heart rate. Certain types of in-office sedation, like nitrous oxide and IV sedation, can be adjusted throughout their treatment to ensure they remain comfortable and safe. Others, like oral conscious sedation, will be appropriately administered and dosed by a trained professional beforehand.

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