Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates, LLC

Ocean Pediatric Associates, LLC Logo

Sedation Dentistry in Toms River, Manahawkin, and Cream Ridge, NJ

Sedation Options

  1. Inhalation Sedation (in-office) — Inhalation sedation using nitrous oxide can help children handle nervousness, pain, or gag reflex difficulties during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide (N2O), or laughing gas, is simply a gas that you breathe in through your nose. This colorless, sweet-smelling, and non-irritating gas is commonly used in dental offices. It can help your son or daughter feel calm, comfortable, and less sensitive to pain. A child must be able to breathe in through his or her nose for the duration of the procedure for this to be effective.
  2. Oral Sedation (in-office) — Oral conscious sedation is when your child receives a liquid sedative in the office to have his or her treatment completed. This is known as “giggle juice.” The child is drowsy and unaware of the treatment being performed. This is a safe and effective treatment choice for the nervous or fearful child or for very young toddlers. This is all done in accordance with American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines (AAPD.org). Often, the dental work can be completed in one procedure, depending on the amount of work your child needs.
  3. IV Sedation (in-office) — IV Sedation in the office is recommended for apprehensive children and children with special needs that would not work well under oral conscious sedation. This is an alternative to hospital dentistry. The IV and all anesthetic drugs are administered by a dental anesthesiologist in our office and all dental work is completed in one visit. The anesthesiologist is Dr. Mendia.

    Dr. Jonathan Mendia is the anesthesiologist that will come to our office to perform the IV sedation for your child. He obtained his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He completed a two-year postdoctoral residency in dental anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

    During his residency, Dr. Mendia successfully completed more than 1,200 cases of both office and hospital-based general anesthesia in the areas of dentistry, general surgery, otolaryngology (ENT) surgery, and obstetrics. Dr. Mendia provides IV sedation and general anesthesia services to pediatric, special needs, anxious and dental phobic patients.

Boy undergoing sedation dentistry