Pediatric Sedation & Anesthesia Dentistry in Winchester, VA
While we practice sedation-free dentistry first, we understand some children may need extra help relaxing at the dentist’s office. That’s why we offer safe, customized and controlled sedation dentistry for kids who need it!
At Shenandoah Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we believe every child deserves a dental experience that’s calm, positive, and tailored just for them. Our warm and welcoming staff bring years of expertise to treating children of all ages and abilities with gentle, personalized care. We’re proud to focus on comfortable, sedation-free dentistry whenever possible — helping little ones feel right at home the moment they walk through our doors!
Of course, if your child feels extra nervous, has special healthcare needs, or simply needs a little more support to feel at ease, we offer safe and effective sedation options designed just for kids. Before any treatment, our pediatric dentists will perform a thoughtful evaluation to create a personalized sedation plan based on your child’s needs and health history.
There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:
- No memory of undergoing the procedure
- No sense of time while under sedation
- No sense of smell or sound
- No fear or anxiety during treatment
Laughing Gas
Our Winchester office is equipped with laughing gas (also called inhalation sedation) — a gentle, light sedation option perfect for kids with mild anxiety during dental visits. This colorless, odor-free gas is administered through a soft, comfy breathing mask, helping your child feel relaxed while staying awake and able to follow instructions. We carefully controls the level of sedation at all times to ensure your little one’s safety and comfort from start to finish.
At Shenandoah Smiles, your child’s comfort is our top priority — and we’re excited to offer Pain-Free NuSmile Injections to help make dental visits even easier! NuSmile’s advanced technology delivers local anesthesia gently and slowly, so your little one barely feels a thing. No scary pressure, no sharp pinch — just a calm, comfortable experience that helps ease anxiety and keeps those precious smiles shining bright.
Soan Painless Injections (Electronic Delivery)
Learn More About Sedation-Free Dentistry
At Shenandoah Smiles, we do everything we can to make dental care a positive, stress-free experience — offering sedation-free dentistry whenever possible, and safe, tailored sedation when needed. Our team is always happy to answer your questions and help you choose the best care approach for your child’s smile.
Sedation Levels
Sedation dentistry is carefully regulated by law, and your child’s dentist can provide treatment under the following two levels:
1. Anxiouslysis With Inhalation Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for children with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is a form of mild sedation that results in relaxation during treatment. It helps calm and relax your child, allowing their dental procedure to go much more smoothly. When nitrous oxide is breathed in continuously, it creates a mild, relaxing sedative effect. The nitrous oxide relaxes the child without putting them to sleep. The gas works almost immediately, with drowsiness setting in within the first two to three minutes. Nitrous oxide is given at a controlled rate throughout the whole procedure. Your child may feel a little lightheaded or tingly. It may also give them a giggly feeling, which is why it is sometimes referred to as “laughing gas”. It is the least invasive type of sedation used by dentists and is easily titrated or adjusted, depending on how a child responds to the gas. Additionally, it wears off within minutes after being turned off and leaves no residual effects. Children can resume normal activities right after a nitrous oxide restorative appointment.
2. Deep Sedation/Full Anesthesia
At Shenandoah Smiles we are pleased to offer two options for general anesthesia. Patients who are too young to undergo in-office conscious sedation (age three and younger) or who have extensive dental treatment needs and acute dental anxiety may require deeper sedation to restore their teeth to optimal oral health. Patients are completely asleep during the procedure and will have no recollection of the experience. They will wake up with all treatments completed, cavity-free. Shenandoah Smiles has an in-house dental anesthesiologist who can perform deep sedation at our office. Please talk to your pediatric dentist at Shenandoah Smiles about what option is right for your child. We offer full sedation/ general anesthesia at Winchester Medical Center where Dr. Gibson is on staff at the Surgi-Center.