Learn more about pain-free shots at Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry.
When your child needs dental treatment but feels anxious or fearful about their visit, pediatric sedation can make all the difference. Many children experience dental anxiety, and finding the right approach to help them feel comfortable and safe during procedures is essential for their overall oral health and future relationship with dental care.
Beaverton pediatric dentists Drs. Tesha Waggoner and Audrey Mikkelson at Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry understand that every child has different needs when it comes to managing anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. Our special needs pediatric dentist services extend to all children who may benefit from sedation options, ensuring each child receives personalized care in a comfortable environment.
Pediatric sedation dentistry involves using safe, carefully monitored medications to help children relax during dental procedures. We offer different levels of sedation based on your child’s specific needs, age, medical history, and the complexity of the treatment required.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. This mild sedation option allows children to remain conscious and responsive while feeling more relaxed and comfortable during their treatment. We also offer oral conscious sedation for patients who may be more anxious but may not need full general anesthesia. This is a medicine that is taken orally and causes the patient to become drowsy and also acts as a “memory eraser around the time of treatment”.
For children requiring more extensive procedures or those with severe anxiety, we also provide in-office general anesthesia. Both doctors maintain hospital privileges at Providence St. Vincent’s for complex cases that may require treatment in a hospital setting.
Several factors may indicate that your child could benefit from sedation dentistry. Children with severe dental anxiety, those requiring extensive dental work, or kids who have difficulty sitting still for procedures may be good candidates for sedation options.
Children with special healthcare needs often benefit from sedation services, as it allows them to receive necessary dental care without stress or discomfort. Our team evaluates each child individually to determine the most appropriate sedation level for their specific situation and treatment needs.
Very young children who need complex procedures may also benefit from sedation, as it ensures they remain comfortable and allows the dentist to work more efficiently and safely. The goal is always to provide the highest quality care while maintaining your child’s comfort and safety.
Safety is our top priority when providing sedation services. Both Dr. Waggoner and Dr. Mikkelson have extensive training in pediatric sedation protocols and maintain current certifications in advanced life support techniques. We carefully monitor each child throughout the entire procedure using state-of-the-art equipment.
Before any sedation procedure, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your child’s medical history, current medications, and overall health status. We provide detailed pre-operative instructions and discuss what to expect during and after the procedure. Our team remains with your child throughout the entire treatment, continuously monitoring their vital signs and comfort level.
Recovery is carefully supervised, and we provide comprehensive post-operative instructions to ensure your child’s comfort during the healing process. Our post-op instructions page provides detailed guidance for caring for your child after sedated procedures.
Beyond sedation options, we offer many comfort measures to help children feel relaxed during their visits. Our office features weighted blankets, low lighting options, and the ability to watch movies during treatment. Our in-office dog, Meyers, is wonderful with children of all abilities and often helps create a calming atmosphere.
For children who benefit from visual preparation, we provide pre-visit office tours through social stories to help familiarize them with our office environment. This preparation can reduce anxiety and make the actual visit more comfortable for both children and parents.
We encourage parents to act as silent observers or helpers during treatment, allowing our trained team to handle any necessary distraction or coping techniques. Too many voices can sometimes create additional stress for children, so we work to maintain a calm, controlled environment.
Our sedation dentistry services cover the full range of pediatric dental treatments. Whether your child needs dental fillings, dental crowns, or more complex procedures, we can provide appropriate sedation to ensure their comfort throughout the treatment.
We use both composite and stainless steel materials for restorations, depending on your child’s specific needs and the location of the tooth. Our approach focuses on preserving natural teeth whenever possible while ensuring your child’s comfort during treatment.
For children requiring multiple procedures, sedation allows us to complete more treatment in a single visit, reducing the number of appointments needed and minimizing your child’s overall stress and anxiety about dental care.
We are proud to serve families throughout Beaverton and the surrounding communities. Our commitment to providing excellent pediatric dental care extends beyond our office through our involvement with local organizations and community events. We participate in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk and support Smile Oregon, which helps children with craniofacial conditions.
If you need emergency dental care after hours, we have an on-call dentist available to assist with urgent situations. Your child’s comfort and health are our top priorities, and we’re here to help whenever you need us.
We accept most dental insurance plans and are in-network with Delta Dental Premier. For families with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Medicaid coverage, we accept ODS dental plans, as well as CareOregon and Advantage plans by referral. Our friendly staff helps navigate insurance benefits and maximizes your coverage to make sedation dentistry services more accessible.
We understand that the cost of sedation services can be a concern for families. Our team works with you to understand your insurance coverage and explore payment options to ensure your child receives the care they need.
If your child experiences dental anxiety or requires complex dental treatment, sedation dentistry may be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we have put endless thought and care into making our dental office a place your child won’t fear or dread, but look forward to visiting.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and discuss whether sedation dentistry is right for your child. We’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan that ensures your child receives the dental care they need in a comfortable, stress-free environment.
