Dental Anxiety
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide (NO, Laughing Gas) is a colorless,
slightly sweet-smelling gas that is introduced through a nasal mask. It
works as you breathe it in through your nose. It has been used in
dentistry for over 100 years.
The most common response for most people is… " I’m aware of what is
going on, but it does not bother me". Sometimes there is an accompanying
tingling in the hands and feet. In controlled use during a dental
procedure it produces a slightly euphoric effect, similar to that
produced by Valium, or a cocktail. It is probably the most controllable,
reliable and predictable of the moderately effective light sedation
agents.
Will it eliminate "the shot"? For complete pain
control it is usually necessary to use a local anesthetic in conjunction
with nitrous oxide. However, NO also makes the injection much more
comfortable.
Each person is comfortable at different levels of NO,
which is what we determine at the initial first visit. A few people just
end up not liking it for one reason or another, but for those people who
do use it; it can literally make a world of difference in their comfort
and perception of dentistry.
Nobody absolutely needs nitrous, although it makes the
visit so much more comfortable that we almost routinely use it for
fillings and other work on children (3-10 yrs). I recommend everyone try
NO if they have any apprehension whatsoever about having dental work
done. Why be uncomfortable if something so safe and easy is available?
It is simply an extension of local anesthetic; anything that can make
your experience more comfortable is what we are interested in providing
for you.
The effects wear off as soon as you stop breathing the
nitrous oxide and most people are completely back to normal responses
within 1-5 minutes. Some people report a lingering effect, but that is
most likely just due to the total relaxation some people feel under
Nitrous Oxide. There are no long-term effects unless you are exposed to
it frequently over an extended period of time.
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