2325 West Arbors Dr, Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28262
For many children, the dental chair can feel like the most intimidating place in the world, and for parents of kids who are very young, highly anxious, or have special healthcare needs, getting through a dental appointment can feel just as stressful. Dental fear is one of the most common reasons children avoid necessary care, and when treatment gets delayed, small problems have a way of becoming much bigger ones. The good news is that modern pediatric sedation dentistry makes it possible for children to receive the care they need in a way that is safe, comfortable, and as stress-free as possible for the whole family.
At University Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Funny and our team are proud to offer a range of sedation options designed specifically for children. As a board-certified pediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience leading our owner-operated practice, Dr. Funny brings both clinical skill and genuine compassion to every sedation appointment. Our goal is to match each child with the gentlest, most appropriate level of sedation, one that meets their needs. Our full list of pediatric dental services is built around the belief that every child deserves a positive experience at the dentist, and sedation dentistry is a cornerstone of making that a reality.
Sedation dentistry uses carefully selected medications to help children feel relaxed, comfortable, and free from anxiety during dental treatment. Far from being a last resort, sedation is a well-established, evidence-based tool that allows dentists to provide thorough, effective treatment while keeping children calm and safe.
The right sedation option for your child depends on their age, medical history, level of anxiety, and the complexity of the treatment being performed. Dr. Funny conducts a comprehensive evaluation before any sedation appointment and walks you through exactly what to expect, so you feel fully informed and confident every step of the way.
At University Pediatric Dentistry, we offer multiple levels of sedation to meet a wide range of needs. Here is an overview of the options available at our practice:
No matter which option is recommended, every sedation appointment includes careful pre-sedation screening, continuous monitoring throughout the procedure, and thorough post-sedation instructions so you know exactly how to care for your child after treatment.
Sedation can be a meaningful solution for a wide range of children, and Dr. Funny takes a thoughtful, individualized approach to determining whether it is the right fit for your child.
Dental anxiety is incredibly common among children and should never be dismissed. When fear keeps a child from sitting still for care, sedation offers real relief. Rather than pushing a child through a stressful experience, sedation allows us to create a positive association with the dentist’s office, one many children carry into future visits.
Children with developmental differences, sensory processing challenges, or other special healthcare needs may find traditional dental appointments difficult to manage. Our office is designed with these children in mind, with adjustable lighting, quiet treatment spaces, and sensory toys available. For children who need an additional layer of support, sedation paired with our special needs dentistry approach can make dental care genuinely manageable.
Sometimes a child needs multiple procedures completed in a single appointment, or the nature of the treatment requires a level of stillness that is unrealistic for a young child. In these cases, sedation allows Dr. Funny to complete thorough, high-quality work efficiently while minimizing the overall stress on both the child and the family.
We understand the idea of sedation can feel daunting for parents, and we want to assure you safety is at the center of everything we do. Dr. Funny follows the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and monitors every child carefully throughout their appointment.
All children are evaluated in advance to confirm they are strong candidates for the recommended sedation type, and all necessary emergency equipment is maintained and readily accessible in our office. This commitment to safety is an extension of our broader preventive care philosophy: thorough, communicative, and always conservative in approach.
Dr. Funny’s board certification in pediatric dentistry and her deep commitment to serving every child, including those with the most complex needs, make her one of Charlotte’s most trusted providers of sedation care for children. To learn more about her background and our team, visit our meet our doctors page.
We are in-network with Delta Dental PPO and welcome patients with all other PPO plans as an out-of-network provider. Flexible payment options, including CareCredit, HSA/FSA, and our in-house Dental HQ membership plan, are available on our financial options page. If you have questions about sedation or would like to find out whether your child is a candidate, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation. We proudly serve families throughout Charlotte, Concord, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, and Kannapolis, NC.
Yes, when administered and monitored by a trained team it is a safe option for children who need additional support during dental treatment. At University Pediatric Dentistry, every sedation case is carefully evaluated based on your child’s health history before we recommend any option. For general anesthesia, a licensed anesthesiologist monitors your child’s vital signs throughout the entire procedure. Our Charlotte team is highly trained and your child’s safety is the first priority in every decision we make.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a mild option inhaled through a small mask. Your child remains awake, relaxed, and aware, and the effects wear off within minutes after treatment ends. General anesthesia places your child in a deep sleep so they are completely unaware during the procedure, typically recommended for extensive treatment, severe anxiety, or children with special healthcare needs. At our Charlotte office, Dr. Funny will discuss which option makes sense based on your child’s specific situation and health history.
Sedation is typically considered for children who experience significant dental anxiety, have had negative dental experiences in the past, have difficulty getting numb, or require extensive treatment in a single visit. Children with special healthcare needs often benefit from sedation as well. During your consultation at University Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Funny will review your child’s health history and discuss the visit’s treatment needs to determine whether sedation is the right fit. You can also keep in mind that our laser dentistry technology often eliminates the need for sedation entirely for many procedures.
Preparation instructions depend on the type of sedation being used. For general anesthesia and out-patient hospital visits, we will provide specific pre-procedure guidelines including fasting requirements. For nitrous oxide, preparation is minimal and your child can typically eat normally beforehand. Our Charlotte team will go over all preparation instructions with you in advance so that nothing is left to guesswork. We also ask that a second responsible adult accompany you for appointments involving deeper sedation to help with the drive home.
Yes. Our Solea laser system allows Dr. Funny to perform many procedures, including fillings, with virtually no pain or vibration and in many cases without anesthesia at all. For children who are nervous about needles or the drill, laser dentistry is often a strong alternative to sedation. Most fillings in our Charlotte office can be completed anesthesia-free, and children can eat, drink, or return to school right after the appointment without any numbness. Contact our office to find out whether your child’s procedure is a good candidate for laser treatment.
Get your child started on a lifetime of healthy smiles.