Our Services

In addition to routine preventative care such as check ups and sealants, our office provides the following advanced behavior management services:

Sedation

We will always choose the most conservative treatment options available to your child, and we seek to use non-invasive procedures whenever possible. However, there are times when your child may need to be sedated to care for them properly. Ultimately, their safety and comfort are our utmost concern.

Nitrous Oxide

Laughing gas is the common term for Nitrous Oxide, a safe and mild method used during dental procedures. Your child will be awake and responsive throughout the procedure, in a more relaxed state.

Because this type of dentistry is short-lived with a gentle effect, it is often used for children. Nitrous oxide puts patients at ease to remain relaxed during dental procedures allowing the anxious child a more pleasant dental experience! We customize each case individually and will discuss sedation only if necessary.

Moderate Sedation

Moderate Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.
There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

Before the Sedation Appointment

Eating and drinking: Your child must not eat or drink anything after midnight before the appointment. This helps avoid vomiting and resulting complications during sedation.
Medications: Do not give your child any medications before or after the sedation appointment unless they are medications that your child takes routinely.
Change in Health: If there is any change in your child’s health (such as a cold, fever, ear infection, chest congestion or sore throat) during the days prior to his/her dental visit, notify our office to see if it’s necessary to postpone the appointment.
Clothes: Have your child wear loose and comfortable clothing to the appointment and bring a change of clothing.
Adult Supervision: We ask that a parent or legal guardian stay within the office throughout the appointment. Plan for a responsible adult to be able to monitor your child for 4-6 hours after the appointment. If you will be traveling by car, it is preferable to have two adults accompany the patient home so one adult can monitor your child while driving.

After the Sedation Appointment

Symptoms: Your child may experience the following symptoms up to several hours after treatment: grogginess, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, lack of coordination, crankiness, itchy nose, elevated temperature (up to 100.5 OF), nausea.
Naps: Your child may be sleepy and drowsy for several hours after being sedated. When driving home, your child should be carefully secured in a car sear or seat belt and try to position his/her chin up. When home, position your child so they nap on his/her side or stomach. If your child does not nap, do not be alarmed. Children react different to sedation.
Activity: Your child may have some unsteadiness or be uncoordinated after the appointment. Hold your child’s hand when walking. Do not allow your child to engage in active play (running, jumping, climbing, playing outside). Do not send your child to school the day of the appointment.
Eating and Drinking: Encourage clear fluids to avoid dehydration. Soft, non-chew or easy to chew bland food is the best immediately after the appointment.
Nausea: If your child throws up after sedation, allow him/her to rest and slowly sip clear liquids. This usually stops on its own.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under moderate sedation. The dentist performs the dental treatment in our office with the child anesthetized under general anesthesia, which is administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist.
Prior to your appointment:
⦁ Please notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical condition. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
⦁ You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
⦁ Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
⦁ Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to arriving at the office.
⦁ Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
⦁ The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.
After the your appointment:
⦁ Please review the anesthesiologist’s post-anesthesia instructions regarding diet and activity.
⦁ Oral Hygiene: Starting the day after surgery, brush twice a day and floss once a day. Your child may experience some sensitivity and slight bleeding of the healing gingiva in the days following while brushing; this is normal. You may notice an initial gray/purple discoloration along the gumline of some restorations/extraction sites. This scabbing is normal and will resolve within a week or two.
⦁ Swelling and Pain: Mild swelling along the gums and mild discomfort are normal occurrences following dental treatment. You also might notice your child’s cheeks and lips are slightly swollen following treatment.
⦁ Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.

I.V. Sedation

Many children suffer from dental anxiety, feeling extreme fear that keeps them from attending dental visits. We want all patients to receive excellent dental care despite their dental anxiety. To this end, we offer in-house IV sedation dentistry from an anesthesiologist to ensure the comfort of our patients. If your child fears going to the dentist, call us today to learn more about intravenous “IV” sedation.

Dr. Diane Tung