Nitrous Oxide at Dr. Sajan’s Victoria BC Dental Clinic
Whether a patient has special needs, is afraid of the dentist or is simply too active to sit still through a dental treatment, nitrous gas sedation is a helpful tool for getting anxious dental patients to relax and cooperate, while still allowing them to maintain a state of awareness.
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Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a type of dental analgesia used by dentists across the world. Also known as ‘laughing gas,’ nitrous oxide is highly effective for giving highly anxious patients a sense of euphoria during their dental experiences. Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that gives off a ‘sweet’ scent. It is administered throughout procedures under the oversight and care of a licensed dentist. Whether a patient has special needs, is afraid of the dentist or is simply too active to sit still through a dental treatment, nitrous gas sedation is a helpful tool for getting anxious dental patients to relax and cooperate, while still allowing them to maintain a state of awareness.
Did you know…
that the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry formally recognizes nitrous oxide sedation as a safe means of administering analgesia to children? It relaxes the central nervous system while causing little effect on respiratory patterns. In fact, the AAPD actually recommends nitrous gas for reducing dental anxiety in paediatric patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ask my dentist to administer nitrous gas during my next visit?
If you have a fear of the dentist, or have extensive dental treatment needs, nitrous analgesia may be a topic that you should explore with your dentist.
What should I expect when I am sedated with nitrous?
You will be asked to breathe in a mixture of nitrous gas and oxygen from a mask at the beginning of your appointment. The amount of gas administered will be monitored and adjusted throughout treatment to help you relax while staying completely alert and responsive. Nitrous often makes people feel warm, lightheaded, or even ‘giggly.’ It also has mild pain-relieving properties. At the end of the nitrous oxide treatment, oxygen is administered to help alleviate the effects of the gas in your system and return you to a natural state of awareness. If at any point during the appointment you feel uncomfortable with the nitrous oxide sedation you are able to breathe through your mouth instead of the nitrous mask to control the level to sedation that you are feeling.
Will I need to follow any special instructions when caring for myself following sedation?
No. Nitrous oxide will naturally leave your body within five minutes of stopping the flow of gas. Once you are deemed fit, you will be able to leave our dental clinic in Victoria BC under your own care.