Nitrous Sedation
Do you have dental anxiety and feel anxious during your dental appointments? Nitrous sedation is an excellent option to make your dental visits much easier and comfortable. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective gas that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to provide a mild level of sedation and help you relax.
Sometimes called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is an option our office can offer to help make you more comfortable during dental visits. Patients who are anxious or worried about their dental treatment can benefit from this safe and effective sedative gas to help make dental procedures more comfortable. Nitrous is not intended to put you to sleep – patients are still awake and will be able to hear and respond during treatment. While nitrous is being administered during your dental visit, you will be asked to breathe normally through your nose. The minimal sedation effects usually start within a few short minutes. Most patients will feel light-headed or a tingling and heavy sensation in their arms and legs. Some people may feel like they have a weighted blanket on their chest and arms. Generally, the laughing gas will make you feel calm and comfortable. At the end of your appointment, we will administer 100% oxygen to flush out any remaining nitrous in your system and the effects of nitrous oxide wear off within a few minutes. One of the many great things about nitrous is that after we flush your system with oxygen, the effects of the gas are completely gone and it is safe to drive or work immediately after the procedure.
While safe for most people, patients who are currently pregnant or have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should not use nitrous sedation.
Please call or email us today if you have additional questions or would like to have nitrous sedation with your next dental visit.