Anesthesia in pediatric dentistry is an essential tool to ensure that dental procedures in children are performed comfortably and without pain.
📌 Recommended Article :
Video 🔽 Inferior alveolar nerve block Technique For Children - Tips and tricks ... In pediatric dentistry, the inferior alveolar nerve block technique can be quite a challenge, and the video that we share offers several tips and tricks for its administration in pediatric patientsHowever, the safety of its application in pediatric patients is a common concern among parents and healthcare professionals. This article addresses the risks associated with dental anesthesia in children and the necessary precautions to ensure its safe use.
Advertisement
✅ Local Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry
Local anesthesia involves the temporary loss of sensation in a specific area of the body without affecting the patient’s level of consciousness. In pediatric dentistry, it is commonly used for procedures such as fillings, extractions, and root canal treatments on primary teeth.
➤ Safety and Effectiveness
Local anesthesia is generally safe in children when properly administered. Local anesthetics such as lidocaine and articaine are widely used. Lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:100,000 is considered the gold standard, while 4% articaine has proven to be equally effective and safe in pediatric procedures.
It is important to calculate the correct dosage based on the child’s weight and to monitor for any adverse reactions. Side effects are rare but may include allergic reactions or systemic toxicity if administered in excess.
📌 Recommended Article :
PDF 🔽 Manual of Local Anesthesia - Anesthetic techniques and anatomical references ... We share a dental anesthesia manual, which teaches us in a practical and simple way the different anesthetic techniques and their anatomical references✅ Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry
Sedation is used to help children who experience anxiety or fear during dental procedures. There are different levels of sedation: minimal, moderate, deep, and general anesthesia.
➤ Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation allows the child to be relaxed but still awake and responsive to stimuli. Nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas," is a popular option in pediatric dentistry. Its use has been shown to be safe and effective, with a low incidence of adverse effects.
➤ Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia
In more complex cases, or when the child is non-cooperative, deep sedation or general anesthesia may be required. These techniques must be administered by trained professionals in controlled environments, such as hospitals or specialized clinics, to ensure the patient’s safety.
📌 Recommended Article :
PDF 🔽 Local anesthesia calculations: How to avoid overdose and toxicity in pediatric patients? ... Local anesthetic systemic toxicity is a consequence of overdose, it is rare but usually occurs in children. This event is avoidable if all safety measures are taken✅ General Safety Considerations
➤ Preoperative Evaluation: A full medical evaluation is essential before administering any type of anesthesia or sedation.
➤ Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation is required during the procedure.
➤ Staff Training: Personnel administering anesthesia or sedation must be trained and prepared to handle any pediatric emergencies.
➤ Informed Consent: Parents or guardians should be thoroughly informed about the procedure, its risks, and available alternatives.
📌 Recommended Article :
Video 🔽 DENTAL ANESTHESIA : Mandibular Block for Pediatric Patients - Dental Injection Technique ... The use of local anesthetics is important to perform any procedure that requires controlling pain and discomfort during dental treatment. The anesthetics used in pediatric dentistry are safe and do not pose a greater risk✅ Conclusion
Anesthesia and sedation in pediatric dentistry are safe when performed following proper protocols by trained professionals. The choice between local anesthesia and sedation will depend on the nature of the procedure, the child’s age, and their level of anxiety. An individualized evaluation is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of pediatric patients.
📖 References
✔ Patiño Ortíz, P. E., & Chiriboga Ramón, P. L. (2022). Anesthesia in pediatric dentistry: conventional and alternative systems. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362011260
✔ Sociedad Española de Odontopediatría. (2013). Premedication and sedation protocol in pediatric dentistry. https://www.odontologiapediatrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/SedacionSEOP.pdf
✔ Torres Lefián, C., Sandoval Gorigoytía, J., & Monsalve Reyes, V. (2024). Safety of nitrous oxide as conscious sedation in pediatric dentistry: A scoping review. International Journal of Odontostomatology, 18(3), 305-310. https://ijodontostomatology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024_v18n3_008.pdf
✔ Campos Medina, A. S. (2022). Scientific evidence on the use of local anesthetics in pediatric dentistry. Universidad Señor de Sipán. https://repositorio.uss.edu.pe/bitstream/handle/20.500.12802/9535/Campos%20Medina%20Alicia%20Sarai.pdf
✔ Soto, D., Chourio, F., & Pino, R. (2022). Administration of local anesthetics in pediatric dentistry. La Pasión del Saber, 12(21), 55–67. https://lapasiondelsaber.ujap.edu.ve/index.php/lapasiondelsaber-ojs/article/view/38
✔ Gaceta Dental. (2011). Sedation and general anesthesia in pediatric dental patients. https://gacetadental.com/2011/09/sedacin-y-anestesia-general-en-el-paciente-odontopeditrico-4338/
✔ Cadena SER. (2025, March 12). Conscious sedation in Hospital Dental Care: pain-free and anxiety-free treatments in Madrid. https://cadenaser.com/cmadrid/2025/03/12/sedacion-consciente-en-odontologia-hospitalaria-integral-tratamientos-sin-dolor-ni-ansiedad-en-madridsalud-y-bienestar-radio-madrid/
✔ Cadena SER. (2025, February 19). 'Mejor Acompáñame' platform calls for parents to accompany children during pre-sedation. https://cadenaser.com/aragon/2025/02/19/nace-la-plataforma-mejor-acompaname-para-que-los-menores-no-entren-solos-en-el-proceso-de-sedacion-radio-jaca-ser-pirineos/
📌 More Recommended Items
► Pharmacological management of the behavior of the pediatric patient: Nitrous Oxide and General Anesthesia
► Local Anesthetics Allergies in Children
► Dental Anesthesia: Overdose and Complications in Pediatric Patients