Sedation Dentistry

We use advanced sedation dentistry for a wide variety of in-house services. Our goal is to ensure you are comfortable, calm and relaxed through any dental treatment or dental procedure. Our team will work closely with you to assess what fears you may have and determine a treatment option that feels comfortable for you.

The Purpose of Dental Sedation

Dental sedation refers to medicine that is designed to reduce physical pain associated with treatment or to reduce anxiety and help you feel more relaxed while dental work is being completed. This makes the experience more pleasant and ensures our staff can perform their duties more effectively. We offer dental sedation in local anesthesia, laughing gas, and IV sedation.

IV Sedation Dentistry, also known as Conscious Sedation Dentistry, is a very safe and effective way to relieve anxiety associated with being at the dentist. Small incremental doses of relaxation medicine are given until you are completely relaxed and will have virtually no memory of the procedure.

If you are interested in sedation dentistry, the first step is to schedule a consultation with us so we can determine your treatment options. We can then discuss if sedation is right for your child. We offer IV Sedation in both our Lynn and Salem locations.

A white tooth on a white background
  • What is laughing gas and what does it do?

    Laughing gas is Nitrous Oxide and is commonly used as a local sedation method. It’s colorless and odorless and its usefulness stems from its ability to quickly work and safely reverse its affects. It is a widely considered safe dental sedation method.

  • Do you put kids to sleep for cleanings?

    In general, we do not use sedation for cleanings. We work hard to ensure that your child feels comfortable with our office, staff, and dental cleaning process so that sedation is not necessary. If you think sedation might be right for your child, contact our office so we can discuss options with you.

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  • What type of anesthesia are used for dental work?

    The most common types of anesthesia used are local anesthesia, IV sedation and general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is a numbing medication that is injected directly in the area that is to be treated—usually the gums around an effected tooth. In contrast, general anesthesia produces a more profound experience that usually leaves no memory of the actual procedure. It’s typically used for more intensive procedures like tooth extraction, dental implants or other surgical procedures and the patient is unconscious during the process. IV sedation is a deeper type of anesthesia that achieves a period of brief sedation with very little memory of the surgery.

  • What should I expect with IV Sedation?

    IV sedation does a great job of managing both pain and anxiety. An advantage of IV sedation is that the medicine takes effect very quickly and also wears off in a timely manner. This is the sedation method used for most oral surgeries.

    IV Sedation Dentistry is an excellent treatment for many different types of people and situations.  Here are just a few examples of who it is good for:

    • Patients who have “dental phobia” and have avoided the dentist for many years, but need to have a procedure done.
    • Patients undergoing certain surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or extractions.
    • Patients with a bad gag reflex that would otherwise not be able to tolerate a dental procedure.
    • Patients with complex medical problems, disabilities, very sensitive teeth, or difficulty getting numb.

    During this procedure, small amounts of medication are given through an IV line to produce a state of complete relaxation.  You will have virtually no memory of the procedure and will feel no pain. Conscious sedation is most popular in dentistry because you are able to respond to verbal commands such as “open your mouth” or “close your mouth” and you are able to breathe and swallow just like normal!  Throughout the procedure, you will be connected to a state-of-the-art monitor that will continuously assess your vital signs such as breathing sounds (Bluetooth laryngeal stethoscope), oxygenation (pulse oximetry), heart rhythms (EKG or ECG), and blood pressure, all of which help ensure a completely safe procedure.

A Kid-Friendly Dental Experience

We specialize in providing first-class dental care to children of all ages. What’s more, we are parents too! Therefore, we understand the busy lives of families and have created an experience to make your dental visits simpler. Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today.

Broad Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics – Lynnfield, MA

6 Kimball Lane, Suite 140, Lynnfield MA 01940
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Hours

School Year
Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Select Fridays: 8:00am - 2:00pm
Select Saturdays: 8:00am - 1:00pm

Summer
Monday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30am - 4:00pm
Select Fridays: 7:30am - 1:00pm

Broad Smiles Pediatric Dentistry- Salem, MA

600 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
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Hours

School Year
Monday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Summer
Monday-Thursday: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Broad Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics – Lynn, MA

77 Broad Street
Lynn, MA 01902
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Hours

School Year
Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Summer
Monday-Thursday: 7:30am - 4:00pm