What to Expect at Your Child’s Operative Appointment
At
your child’s Operative appointment, there are many elements to consider and
remember to make this visit a pleasant one. As always in our office, parents
are welcome to join us during treatment, and even have a designated chair for
them to sit in. It is very important to remember that during this visit our
attention is focused on your child. Because we are paying such close attention
to your child, and ensuring that your child is comfortable, it is imperative to
allow us to speak directly with your child during the treatment.
We
also use special words, which are appropriate for his/her treatment. In
addition, we also ask that only one parent be in the room with the child in
order to avoid confusion during treatment time. If you need to bring other
children; siblings, friends, aunts and uncles, etc. please understand that they
will be asked to stay in the reception area so that we may attend to your child
without distraction. Keep in mind that these appointments are a minor surgical
procedure and are of the utmost importance. If you do have questions please
feel free to ask them before the beginning of the procedure to avoid any
confusion in the operatory, which may alter your child’s behavior.
When
we prep a tooth for dental work, we use “Jelly Sticks”, which are long Q-Tips
with a topical anesthetic, to numb the gum tissue before the injection, or
“Sleepy Juice”. Because we are numbing an area of the mouth and not just a
single tooth, careful observation must be done, to avoid injury of the tongue,
cheek, or lip tissue, as all will be numb in addition to the teeth. After the
appointment, the patient will be very numb or “sleepy” and the area may feel “fat
and tingly”. The numbing will last for approximately 1 hour but the child will
be able to eat and drink immediately after the appointment. To aid in the
numbing, some children will have Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen analgesia recommended to
help with both the “Sleepy Juice” and any nervousness that the child may have.
If your child has been recommended for the use of Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen, there
are a few reminders to take note of. Because of the Nitrous Oxide, your child
may feel like they are “floating” and their hands and feet will feel “tingly”.
On
occasion, this effect has made some children feel like they are on a boat, and
if they have had a large meal previously, it can make them feel ill. We
recommend that if your child is going to have Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen, they only
have a light meal no less than two hours before the appointment. As the
numbness wears away, children often become irritated, so as a prophylactic
measure, we usually recommend that you give your child either Children’s Motrin or Children’s Tylenol. This will help to
ease the change in sensation as the numbness wears away. As always, we are
available to answer any questions or concerns you may have after the
appointment.
David L. Rothman D.D.S. Diplomate, American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry (415) 333-6811 fax (415)333-6813