Dental Wellness Care
- Dental x-rays
- Oral examinations
- Thorough cleanings
- Brushing and Flossing instructions
- Fluoride treatments
- Comprehensive dental care for special needs children
- Aesthetic tooth colored fillings
- All white crowns for front teeth
- Stainless steel crowns
- Pediatric Partials to replace lost front baby teeth
- Cross-bite correction
- Limited tooth movement
- Thumb/Finger habit appliances
Emergency Dental Care
- Tooth pain
- Traumatic dental injuries
- Nitrous oxide
- Oral sedation
- General anesthesia
We accept and file most dental insurance.
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Some children require a little more sedation than just nitrous oxide. With these children, oral sedation may be the optimal treatment. During oral sedation, a liquid sedative is given before the appointment. This medication is meant to further relax the patient so that treatment may be completed. The child will only be sedated, and still able to breath and respond on his or her own.
General anesthesia is the highest level of sedation that can be given to manage a child. While under general anesthesia , your child will be fully unconscious. He or she will be unable to move or feel pain under this treatment. There are many issues to consider when deciding if treatment under general anesthesia is the best option. We need to consider the child’s behavior, the amount of treatment and the medical status of the child.
It is important that it is understood that treatment under general anesthesia is surgery. It is because of this that this office treats this treatment as such. Every precaution is made to ensure the safety of your child. Your child will be asked to receive a physical by his or her physician to ensure safety. Your child will also be seen in a hospital setting. Cases needing general anesthesia are taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, or Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma. In these hospital settings, your child will be surrounded by the best staff ensuring the safety of your child. These hospitals also allows us to see medically compromised children under general anesthesia. It is important to us that your child receives the best treatment but in a safe environment.