Conscious sedation for children in Palma
Conscious sedation helps children who are afraid of or anxious about the dentist to receive treatment calmly. They breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, and oxygen through a small nose mask, which relaxes them without putting them to sleep: they stay awake, breathe on their own and can talk to us at all times.
We use it at Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma, when the child's assessment makes it advisable. The effect wears off a few minutes after the mask is removed.
With oxygen, through a nose mask
The child is relaxed but conscious
The effect wears off shortly afterwards
First visit and assessment
Is your child afraid of the dentist? Book an appointment
We assess your child, get to know their fears and explain whether conscious sedation is a good option for their treatment.
Leave us your details and we will call you back within three hours.
What is conscious sedation?
It is a technique for reducing anxiety during dental treatment. The child breathes a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through the nose, which brings a feeling of calm and wellbeing within a few minutes.
Unlike general anaesthesia, the child does not fall asleep: they stay awake, breathe on their own and respond to what we say. Sedation does not remove pain by itself, so if treatment requires it, it is combined with local anaesthetic, which children tolerate much better when they are relaxed.
When is it recommended?
We consider it in these cases:
- Children with fear, anxiety or a bad previous experience at the dentist.
- Long treatments or several treatments that are best grouped into one visit.
- Children with a very strong gag reflex.
- Some children with special needs who can cooperate with help.
- Children who don't cooperate with the usual adaptation techniques.
Advantages of conscious sedation
Relaxed, not asleep
The child is calm but awake, and can communicate with us.
Breathes unaided
No intubation or IV line is needed: just a nose mask.
Fast-acting
The effect starts within a few minutes and wears off soon after the mask is removed.
Back to normal
After the visit your child can carry on as normal the same day.
A better experience
It helps children not associate the dentist with fear, so they feel calmer at future visits.
More treatment in fewer visits
When appropriate, several treatments can be done in the same session.
What is conscious sedation like?
Prior assessment
We review your child's medical history to make sure it is a good option, and explain what the visit will be like.
During treatment
We place the nose mask, which can have a pleasant scent, and adjust the mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen until your child is relaxed. If needed, we apply local anaesthetic and carry out treatment while monitoring your child at all times.
Recovery
At the end, your child breathes pure oxygen for a few minutes to clear the gas. They recover straight away and can go home with you.
Before and after sedation
A few simple recommendations:
- On the day of the appointment, give them a light meal a few hours beforehand and avoid heavy meals.
- Let us know if they have a blocked nose or a cold: they need to be able to breathe through their nose.
- Tell us about any illness or medication at the prior assessment.
- They should come in comfortable clothes and with an adult.
- Talk about the dentist naturally and never use it as a threat.
- Afterwards they can carry on as normal. If anything worries you, call us.
Is conscious sedation safe?
It is a widely used technique in paediatric dentistry and very safe when carried out after a prior assessment and with a monitoring protocol. The child breathes unaided and keeps their reflexes at all times, and side effects, such as slight dizziness or nausea, are uncommon and short-lived.
It is not suitable in every case, for example if the child cannot breathe through their nose or has certain medical problems. That is why we always assess it beforehand. If your child needs another type of sedation, we explain the options.
Who will see your child
Conscious sedation is provided by our paediatric dentists, Dr Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá, Dr Maria Morro and Dr Ana Ledesma Pavón.
Where to find Arcdental
We provide conscious sedation for children at Arcdental, our children's dental clinic in Palma.
Our children's dental clinic
Arcdental
Carrer de Sevilla, 8, ground floor
Son Dameto · 07013 Palma
- Monday and Wednesday
- 16:00–20:00
- Tuesday
- 9:00–13:00 · 16:00–20:00
- Thursday
- 13:00–19:00
- Friday
- 15:00–19:00
By car
Street parking and the pay car park at Hospital Juaneda Miramar, a 3-minute walk away. There is also free parking on Camí de la Vileta, about a 10-minute walk away.
Go to the car parkBy taxi
Taxi ranks at Carrer de Son Espanyolet, 58 and Carrer de Pasqual Ribot, 1.
Frequently asked questions about conscious sedation in children
Is conscious sedation safe for children?
Yes. It is very safe when carried out after reviewing the medical history and with a monitoring protocol. The child breathes unaided and keeps their reflexes throughout treatment.
Will my child be asleep?
No. They will be relaxed and calm but awake, and able to talk to us. This is the big difference from general anaesthesia.
What does the child feel?
A feeling of calm, sometimes a tingling or light-headed sensation, and less fear. Some children laugh, hence the name laughing gas.
Will the treatment hurt?
Sedation reduces anxiety but does not remove pain on its own. If treatment requires it, we apply local anaesthetic, which children tolerate much better when relaxed.
Are there side effects?
They are uncommon and mild, such as slight dizziness or nausea, and pass quickly when breathing oxygen at the end of treatment.
From what age can it be used?
It depends more on the child’s cooperation than on age: they need to accept the mask and breathe through their nose. We assess each case.
What is the difference from general anaesthesia?
Under general anaesthesia the child is asleep and needs a hospital setting. With conscious sedation they are awake, breathe unaided and recover within minutes.
How much does conscious sedation cost?
It depends on the treatment and how long it takes. At the free first visit we give you a detailed quote, and you can finance your treatment.