Nitrous Oxide Sedation Specialist

What is nitrous oxide sedation?

Nitrous oxide sedation, also called laughing gas, is a mode of sedation that dentists use to keep you comfortable and relaxed while they work. The team at Swinney Dental can offer you nitrous oxide sedation if you’re particularly nervous about your upcoming procedure or if the procedure could cause you discomfort.

Nitrous oxide comes in the form of a gas mixed with oxygen that you breathe in through a mask. Shortly after you start breathing it in, you begin to feel calm and light-headed. Some patients say that their limbs feel heavy or relaxed, which is normal.

You can still breathe, respond to commands, and control your bodily functions while under nitrous oxide, but you might fall asleep. Once you wake up, you probably won’t remember any details of your procedure.

What are the benefits of using nitrous oxide for sedation?

Nitrous oxide sedation is highly useful to dentists and patients because of its safety and many other benefits. It numbs pain and worry but doesn’t result in any long-term, day-altering effects. Other benefits are:

• Fast-acting
• Minimal gagging
• A pleasant scent
• No heart or lung side effects
• No hangoverlike after effects

Another benefit is that the effects of nitrous oxide go away shortly after your dentist removes the mask. This means that you can go back to your daily routine shortly after you leave the office without feeling loopy or risking making questionable decisions.

Am I a candidate for nitrous oxide sedation?

Nitrous oxide is a very safe sedative for most patients. In fact, it’s so safe that it’s the preferred sedation method for kids. However, a few conditions might make other options better for you. After a brief consultation, your dentist can decide that you’re a candidate for sedation with nitrous oxide if you don’t have:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• A common cold

These issues affect your breathing. While you might still be able to use nitrous oxide with any of the latter three, COPD patients should always opt for something else. The team at Swinney Dental can offer you a five-minute trial to let you try nitrous oxide and decide if you’re comfortable using it.

If you’d like to learn more about nitrous oxide sedation and discuss the possibility of using it during your next dental procedure, call Swinney Dental or book an appointment online today.