Hospital Sleep Dentistry for Children in Denver, CO
At Cherry Creek Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s comfort and safety are always our first priority. For children who need extra support during dental procedures — whether due to significant anxiety, special needs, very young age, or complex treatment needs — we offer sedation and hospital sleep dentistry options that allow us to provide comprehensive care in a safe, stress-free way. Dr. Kojo Danso works in partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado to ensure every child receives the care they need.
Request an AppointmentSedation Options We Offer
We understand that not every child is the same, and not every procedure requires the same level of sedation. Dr. Danso will evaluate your child’s individual needs, medical history, and the nature of the planned treatment to recommend the most appropriate option.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is one of the most widely used and well-established forms of sedation in pediatric dentistry. It is a safe, mild sedative administered through a small mask placed gently over your child’s nose. The combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen helps most children feel relaxed and at ease without putting them to sleep.
Nitrous oxide works quickly and wears off quickly — within minutes of removing the mask, your child will be fully alert and can return to normal activities. It is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as an effective and appropriate way to manage mild to moderate anxiety in children.
Before using nitrous oxide, please let us know of any changes to your child’s health, breathing difficulties, or medications — these factors can affect how the gas works.
Conscious Sedation
For children who experience more significant anxiety, who are very young, or who have special needs that make it difficult to cooperate during treatment, conscious sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation. Oral sedation medications are given before or at the start of the appointment. Your child will become very drowsy — and may even fall asleep — but they will not lose consciousness, and they can still respond to verbal communication.
The specific medications used for conscious sedation are selected based on your child’s age, weight, health history, and the procedure being performed. Before your child’s appointment, we will need a complete list of all medications and any known allergies. Your child must also fast for a specific period before the appointment — we’ll give you detailed instructions when you schedule.
After the appointment, your child will remain drowsy for several hours. They should rest at home, be supervised closely, and be kept away from stairs or any situation where they could fall. It is normal for children to feel slightly nauseous or groggy following conscious sedation, and we’ll go over all aftercare instructions with you in detail.
Hospital Sleep Dentistry (General Anesthesia)
For children who are very young, have significant special needs, or require extensive dental treatment that cannot safely or comfortably be completed while awake, hospital sleep dentistry using general anesthesia may be the best option.
Under general anesthesia, your child is fully asleep — completely unaware and unable to feel discomfort. This is performed at Children’s Hospital Colorado in partnership with board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists and medical staff, ensuring the highest level of safety and oversight throughout the procedure.
Hospital sleep dentistry offers several important benefits. Multiple procedures can often be completed in a single appointment, reducing the number of times your child needs to undergo treatment. Children who are fearful or who cannot cooperate with awake dental care are able to receive the comprehensive treatment they need without any distress. For children with special needs, it is often the safest and most humane option.
The decision to use general anesthesia is made thoughtfully, with your child’s full health picture in mind. The benefits of completing necessary treatment safely typically far outweigh the risks — but we will discuss everything with you thoroughly before proceeding.
How to Prepare for a Sedation Appointment
Regardless of which sedation method is used, preparation is important. Your child should fast — avoiding all food and most liquids for the hours specified before the appointment. Dress your child in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Let us know of any illness, fever, or changes in health in the days leading up to the appointment, as this may require rescheduling.
Plan for your child to be drowsy and rest for the remainder of the day following the appointment. Have a responsible adult available to stay with your child for at least the rest of the day.
For more information about sedation and sleep dentistry at Cherry Creek Pediatric Dentistry in Denver, CO,, contact us at (303) 757-8844.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospital Sleep Dentistry
Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
Yes, when performed by trained and experienced professionals, sedation dentistry is safe for children. We carefully evaluate every child’s health history before recommending any form of sedation, and our hospital sleep dentistry is performed at Children’s Hospital Colorado with board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists.
What is the difference between nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provides mild relaxation while your child remains fully awake. Conscious sedation produces a deeper state of relaxation — your child will be very drowsy but still conscious and responsive. General anesthesia puts your child fully to sleep and is performed in a hospital setting with medical anesthesia professionals.
When is hospital sleep dentistry recommended for children?
Hospital sleep dentistry is typically recommended for very young children (under 3–4) who cannot cooperate with awake treatment, children with significant dental anxiety, children with special needs who cannot safely receive care while awake, and children who need extensive dental work that would be difficult to complete across multiple awake appointments.
Does my child need to fast before a sedation appointment?
Yes. Fasting requirements vary depending on the type of sedation used. We will provide detailed fasting instructions specific to your child’s appointment. It is essential to follow these instructions closely for your child’s safety.
How will my child feel after sedation?
After nitrous oxide, your child will feel completely normal within minutes. After conscious sedation, your child will be drowsy for several hours and should rest at home under supervision. After general anesthesia, your child may be groggy, slightly nauseous, or irritable for the remainder of the day — this is normal. We’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions.
Who performs the anesthesia during hospital sleep dentistry?
Hospital sleep dentistry at Cherry Creek Pediatric Dentistry is performed at Children’s Hospital Colorado with the involvement of board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists. You and your child are in the hands of specialized medical professionals throughout the entire procedure.
What are the risks of general anesthesia for dental procedures?
General anesthesia carries some inherent risk, as with any medical procedure involving anesthesia. However, the risk is very low when performed in an appropriate hospital setting by qualified professionals. Dr. Danso will discuss the risks and benefits with you in detail so you can make a fully informed decision for your child.