Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation – Midland, TX

What is
Nitrous Oxide?

If you haven’t heard of nitrous oxide before, you might know it as “laughing gas.” It’s an odorless and colorless gas that, when inhaled, encourages the brain to release opioids, endorphins, and dopamine. This puts you in a highly relaxed and euphoric state. It does not cause you to fall asleep; if you do happen to doze off, you can be easily awakened right away. Nitrous oxide has been used by dentist for decades and is considered very safe when administered by a professional. It’s normally mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask throughout the duration of a dental procedure.

How Does
it Work?

Compared to other forms of sedation, nitrous oxide is rather straightforward. You won’t need to make any particular preparations, although it’s generally recommended that you avoid eating large meals for at least two or three hours beforehand. Once we’re ready to begin, we’ll place the mask over your nose. The effects should kick in after just a few minutes, and at that point you’ll no longer feel worried or experience any discomfort. At the end of the procedure, you will be given 100% oxygen to clear your system of the nitrous oxide gas. After a few minutes, the effects wear off and the mask is removed. You don’t have to worry about asking someone else to drive you home or experiencing drowsiness throughout your day; you can simply return to your daily routine as you normally would.

Who is a
Good Candidate?

One of the reasons that nitrous oxide is so common at dental offices is that almost anyone can benefit from using it. It’s useful in a variety of situations. Obviously, anyone with dental anxiety should consider it. It also helps patients who have trouble controlling their movements sit still throughout the procedure. Patients with sensitive teeth or a resistance to numbing agents can also benefit from the additional relaxation that nitrous oxide offers.

With all that being said, there are a few patients who might not be able to use this form of sedation. This includes pregnant women, patients suffering from sinus congestion, those who take certain medications, and patients who suffer from some form of respiratory disease. It’s important to let us know whether any of these scenarios apply to you before moving forward with nitrous oxide.