Gas Sedation
Topics
- Introduction
- What is nitrous oxide?
- The goal of nitrous oxide inhalation..
- Is nitrous oxide safe?
- Is nitrous oxide safe for children?
- What are the advantages of nitrous oxide?
- Disadvantages of nitrous oxide?
- Contraindications of nitrous oxide
- What does it feel like?
- Before taking nitrous oxide
- Is nitrous oxide right for me?
Feeling Anxious About Dental Treatment?
Introducing…….
Nitrous Oxide Relaxation….
Transforming dental anxiety into soothing, peaceful relaxation with absolute safety.
Breathing nitrous oxide will put a smile on your face from the moment you slip into the dentist’s chair. This safe and highly effective method of patient relaxation has helped millions of people overcome their anxieties about dental treatment.
As you try nitrous oxide, your feelings of anxiety will melt away quickly and be replaced by a warm, gentle feeling. Patient describe the experince as peacefully floating in pleasant dreamlike state. The apprehensive child or adult, nitrous oxide can be the key to an enjoyable, comfortable and anxiety-free dental experience.
What is nitrous oxide?
Commonly known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a non-allergenic, non-irritating gas that affects the central nervous system. It is one of the safest forms of sedation available and is easily and completely reversed by breathing normally for 5 to 10 minutes following treatment.Nitrous oxide is used in combination with pure oxygen to relieve dentistry-related anxiety. When inhaled and absorbed into the body, nitrous oxide has a natural calming effect that lasts only as long as your dental procedure.
The goal of nitrous oxide inhalation..
The goal of use of nitrous oxide in dentistry is to eliminate dental anxiety, making the patient more comfortable while the sedation dentist is able to more effectively complete the planned dental care procedure while the patient is sedated. Consult with your dentist to find out if this pain free procedure right for you.
Is nitrous oxide safe?
COMPLETELY. Nitrous oxide is recognized as the safest sedative used in dentistry today. It is mild, non-toxic and removes itself naturally from your body after use. Its benefits are even recommended for patients with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure, angina and a history of heart attacks. And, unlike general anaesthesia, patients on nitrous oxide remain fully conscious and responsive at all times.
Is nitrous oxide safe for children?
ABSOLUTELY. While our practice goes to great lengths to make every child feel at ease, some children required a degree of sedation to achieve successful treatment. Nitrous oxide is the safest, most effective form of sedation to relieve your child’s fears and ensure a positive experience.
What are the advantages of nitrous oxide?
- It’s fast acting – Within minutes of administration, your stress will be transformed into a sensation of smoothing relaxation and pain-killing properties develop after 2 or 3 minutes..
- Your depth of sedation can be adjusted easily – The depth of nitrous oxide sedation can be adjusted to quickly achieve your optimal level of relaxation. Other sedation techniques don’t allow for this. For example, with IV sedation, it’s easy to deepen the level of sedation, but difficult to lessen it.
- Recovery time is short – In just 3 to 5 minutes after the flow of nitrous oxide is stopped (100% Oxygen flush), the effects completely disappear from your system. In fact, nitrous oxide is the only form of sedation that has no lasting after-effects that impair your ability to drive. You will simply feel refreshed and ready to go about your daily activities.
- Certain procedures can be done without local anaesthesia – those that usually involved the gums such as deep cleaning. Nitrous oxide acts as a painkiller on soft tissues such as gums. However, its pain-relieving effects vary a lot from person to person and can’t be relied upon.
- Very safe – Inhalation sedation has very few side effects and the drugs used have no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain.
- Reduce gagging – Inhalation sedation can be very effective in eliminating or at least minimizing severe gagging.
Disadvantages of nitrous oxide?
- Not comfortable with laughing gas – Some patients might afraid they might ‘lose control’ and some actually feel nauseous when inhaling nitrous oxide which are quite rare and usually due to over-sedation.
- Inadequate of sedation – Some people will not achieve adequate sedation with permissible levels of oxygen.
- Not comfortable with nasal mask – If you can’t breathe through your nose (either because you’re a pure mouth breather, or because your nose is blocked), or you feel too claustrophobic when something is put over your nose, it can’t be used.
Contraindications of nitrous oxide
- Significant respiratory compromise
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Conditions related to vitamin B12 deficiency
- Nitrous oxide is relatively contraindicated in pregnancy
What does it feel like?
The most common sensations that patients experience are:
- tingling of hands and feet
- a general feeling of warmth
- numbness of your legs, tongue and oral tissues
- a ringing sensation or droning sound
- feelings of euphoria
- feelings of heaviness or lightness
If you feel nauseous while breathing nitrous oxide, please inform the dentist immediately so that the level can be adjusted.
Not everyone enjoys the feeling of nitrous oxide. If you feel uncomfortable at any time while breathing nitrous oxide, you can discontinue it at once by breathing deeply through your mouth. Be sure to let the dentist know so that the gas can be turned off.
Before taking nitrous oxide:
1. Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours prior to your appointment. Otherwise you may feel nauseous or vomit during treatment.
2. Inform us of any changes to your medical history or any medications you are presently taking.
3. Use the restroom before your dental procedure.
Is nitrous oxide right for me?
Please discuss the possibility of nitrous oxide conscious sedation with us. It may be just the solution you or your child have been waiting for. If you have any questions regarding the use of nitrous oxide, feel free to discuss it with our dentist.
Read More
- Dental Anxiety
- Gas Sedation
- Nitrous oxide delivery system
- Oral Sedation
- IV Sedation
- General Anesthesia