Dental visits can feel overwhelming for some children, especially when they are very young, nervous about treatment, sensitive to unfamiliar sounds or sensations, or need a longer dental procedure. Pediatric sedation dentistry can help make necessary dental care more manageable while supporting your child’s comfort during treatment.
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Pediatric sedation dentistry uses medication to reduce dental anxiety and help children remain calm and comfortable during dental treatment. The level of sedation needed can vary depending on your child’s age, medical history, anxiety level, ability to cooperate, and the type or length of treatment planned.
Sedation does not automatically mean your child will be asleep. With nitrous oxide, children usually remain awake and responsive. General anesthesia is different because the child is fully asleep while dental care is completed. Our team discusses the available options with parents before treatment so you understand what is being recommended and why.
Get to Know Dr. Jenny
Dr. Jenny Citineni is a board certified pediatric dentist who has spent much of her life in Durham. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, she attended the UNC School of Dentistry and went on to build her career around helping children receive comfortable, individualized dental care.
Dr. Jenny understands that dental emergencies require both timely clinical care and a calm approach for children. Along with Dr. Emilee, Dr. Haley, and the Smile First team, she helps families manage unexpected dental injuries, pain, and other urgent oral health concerns.
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At Smile First Dental, sedation is never treated as the first solution for every nervous child. Our board-certified pediatric dentists are experienced in behavior guidance and helping children manage dental anxiety with a gentle, age-appropriate approach. When sedation is appropriate, we consider your child’s age, medical history, anxiety level, special healthcare needs, and planned dental treatment before recommending the right option.
Families can access different levels of pediatric dental sedation, including nitrous oxide for mild to moderate anxiety, in-office general anesthesia with board-certified anesthesia professionals, and hospital-based general anesthesia at Duke Children’s Hospital when a more advanced setting is appropriate. This allows us to create an individualized treatment plan focused on your child’s comfort, safety, and dental needs.
Sedation can reduce fear and stress surrounding dental treatment, helping children who would otherwise find necessary procedures difficult or overwhelming to complete successfully.
A calmer child can remain more comfortable and still during treatment, allowing the pediatric dentist to work carefully without repeatedly stopping because of anxiety or movement.
Sedation may allow children with extensive restorative needs to receive fillings, crowns, extractions, or other necessary dental treatment when conventional appointments are difficult.
Choosing appropriate behavior guidance and sedation can help prevent an already anxious child from becoming increasingly fearful because of a difficult or overwhelming dental experience.
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Our pediatric dentist first evaluates your child’s teeth, treatment needs, age, medical history, previous dental experiences, anxiety level, and ability to cooperate during dental care.
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We explain whether behavior guidance, nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, or another treatment approach is appropriate. Parents can discuss concerns, alternatives, preparation instructions, and expected recovery.
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During the appointment, your child receives the planned sedation while the dental team completes the necessary care. The level of monitoring depends on the type of sedation being provided.
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After treatment, we provide instructions based on the sedation method used. Some children recover quickly, while children receiving general anesthesia require additional observation and rest afterward.
My toddler had a great first visit! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable and made my daughters first ever dental visit a pleasant one! This will definitely be our dental home moving forward!
Herison
This is a wonderful group of people. Some of the same employees took care of my teeth as I was growing up and it’s great to have many of the same ones help clean and keep my daughters teeth in great shape! I love Smile First and trust them with my daughter’s smile!!
Sara h
Pediatric dental sedation can be used safely when the child is properly evaluated and the appropriate sedation method, monitoring, equipment, and trained professionals are used. Every form of sedation has potential risks, which is why our team reviews your child’s medical and dental history before recommending an option.
Pediatric dental sedation can be used safely when the child is properly evaluated and the appropriate sedation method, monitoring, equipment, and trained professionals are used. Every form of sedation has potential risks, which is why our team reviews your child’s medical and dental history before recommending an option.
Laughing gas provides mild sedation while allowing your child to remain conscious. General anesthesia produces a much deeper state in which your child is completely asleep. The appropriate option depends on factors such as anxiety, age, medical needs, cooperation, and treatment complexity.
Sedation may be considered when dental anxiety, young age, sensory concerns, special healthcare needs, a strong gag reflex, difficulty remaining still, or extensive treatment makes conventional dental care difficult. Your pediatric dentist should evaluate these factors before recommending sedation.
Nitrous oxide generally wears off quickly once administration stops and oxygen is given. Recovery from general anesthesia takes longer, and children may remain tired or less coordinated afterward. We provide detailed recovery instructions based on the sedation your child receives.
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Smile First Dental provides pediatric sedation dentistry at 3616 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in Durham, NC. Our team helps parents understand sedation options for children experiencing dental anxiety, needing extensive restorative care, or having other needs that can make conventional dental treatment challenging.
Our Durham pediatric dental office also serves families from Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Hillsborough, Roxboro, Bahama, Oxford, Raleigh, and nearby communities. Whether your child needs mild nitrous oxide sedation or an evaluation for general anesthesia, we can help determine an approach based on their individual dental and comfort needs.
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