What is conscious sedation?
Conscious sedation is a way of using medication to relax a child without the loss of consciousness.

Who should be sedated?
Dr. Elliott and Dr. Molina recommends that those children with severe anxiety and/or the inability to relax are candidates for sedation. Usually these children are young or have trouble managing their anxiety.

Why does Dr. Elliott and Dr. Molina use conscious sedation?
Conscious sedation aids in calming a child so that he or she can accept dental treatment in a more relaxed state. This can prevent injury to the patient and provide a better environment for delivering quality dental care - it's hard to do dentistry on a moving child!

What medications are used?
Dr. Elliott and Dr. Molina have many different agents that are used for conscious sedation, from inhalation agents (laughing gas) to medicines that are drank from a cup. None of these sedatives render the child unconscious. Dr. Elliott or Dr. Molina will base his/her recommendations of medications to be used based on the child's age, level of anxiety, amount of dental work that needs to be completed and length of appointment. Click on each of the titles below to see more about each of these medications.

NITROUS OXIDE ("Laughing Gas")

VALIUM (DIAZEPAM)

MIDAZOLAM ("Versed")

CHLORAL HYDRATE, HYDROXYZINE & MEPERIDINE

Is sedation safe?
Dr. Elliott has had 3 years of advanced training to administer, monitor and manage sedated patients. He also exceeds the standard of care in his monitoring and emergency equipment. Dr Elliott is trained and certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Click here to see pre-op sedation instructions (before your visit)

Click here to see post-op sedation instructions (after your visit)