Nitrous oxide is the mildest dental sedative and is safe to be used in children.
We will need to review your medical history and list of medications that you take to determine if you are a good candidate for sedation. We also need to know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. We can do sedation for a number of cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry procedures.
To prepare for sedation dentistry, we ask that you don't eat anything for 2 hours leading up to your appointment.
We will administer nitrous oxide once you get to your appointment and then we will get started with your treatment. Nitrous oxide is a more moderate sedation.
We will remove the remnants of nitrous oxide from your body. There are no lingering effects of nitrous oxide and most patients can drive home afterward.
Laughing gas is an odorless, colorless, tasteless oral sedation gas that is inhaled through a nasal mask along with oxygen. The sedative goes into effect within a couple of minutes of inhalation - these effects include a sense of euphoria, deep relaxation, giddiness, and sleepiness. You may also feel heaviness and tingling in your limbs.
The patient is completely conscious during your procedure and can understand what's going on around you. You can respond to the family dentist if they ask you a question or give you instructions. However, you may not remember the procedure afterward due to the amnesiac effect.
For adults who require a little extra comfort, oral conscious sedation may be the solution. We will evaluate your medical history, and if oral conscious sedation is right for you, we will prescribe you a medication that you can pick up before your appointment. On the day of your appointment, you'll arrive 1 hour early to the office, and take the medication while we monitor you. Once the medication begins to take effect, you'll feel relaxed, calm, and sleepy, but you'll remain awake and able to respond to questions and commands.
After your appointment, you'll need to arrange for someone to drive you home and monitor you for the rest of the day, as the effects of oral conscious sedation can last between 4-8 hours. Oral conscious sedation is a great way to relieve your dental anxiety, so you can get the dental care you need with the comfort your deserve.
Patients typically do not fall asleep from nitrous oxide but may feel very sleepy. If they fall asleep, we can easily wake them up.
Dental sedation is most helpful at preventing the sensation of pain and reducing dental anxiety. This is why this medication can be used in more complex procedures like oral surgery or minor routine treatments like dental cleanings. Smile Dental Boutique performs family dentistry, so sedation can be used for all family members with dental fear.
Nitrous oxide requires minimal preparation. You do not need to arrange for someone to accompany you to your appointment or drive you. You will, however, need to fast for 2 hours before receiving the sedative to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting.
Because laughing gas wears off within just a couple of minutes of flushing the gas mask with pure oxygen, you will not experience any lingering hangover effects with this type of sedation. This means that most patients will be able to drive themselves home and resume their normal activities right away.
36% of the population have dental anxiety.