Sedation Dentistry Bullard

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is one of the most sought-after sedation solutions in all of dentistry due to how gentle and effective it is. If you are interested in learning more about it, including if you’re a good candidate, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dental team in Bullard. You can also read on to learn more about it, including how it works.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Typically, we recommend dental nitrous oxide in Bullard when patients:

• Struggle with mild to moderate anxiety
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
• Have a fear of needles
• Need extensive dental care, like multiple tooth extractions

However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, if you have asthma or another medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, then nitrous oxide isn’t ideal since it’s administered through a nasal mask.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work

Once you settle comfortably into the treatment chair, a member of our team will place a soft nasal mask over your nose. Then, we will begin the flow of nitrous oxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll enter a complete state of relaxation, resulting in you feeling comfortable and at ease.

Throughout your appointment, we will check in with you to make sure you’re doing okay. If needed, we can adjust the flow of nitrous oxide to keep you comfortable as well. Although it won’t put you to sleep, you may feel so relaxed that you doze off. If that happens, we can gently wake you or, if you’d prefer, allow you to rest.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Not only are the effects of nitrous oxide fast-acting, but they also dissipate quickly. As a result, you don’t need to arrange for an adult to drive you home or take the rest of the day off work or school. All we ask is that you follow any aftercare instructions we give you pertaining to the treatment that you received. For example, if we provided a root canal, then you should rinse with warm saltwater periodically, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and take OTC pain medication as directed.