Nitrous Oxide - Laughing Gas
If you’re a little nervous or anxious about
your dental appointment, you don’t have to be!
We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to any of our patients who want
to try it. There is no fee for this, we just want you to be as comfortable as possible!
What is it?
Nitrous oxide is a gas which you can breathe in and out. It is
colorless, sweet smelling, and non-irritating.
The best part is that it means safer, quicker, and more comfortable
dental care for you!
Nitrous oxide allows you to relax, which can
greatly reduce the fear, nervousness, and tension associated with dental
procedures. You do, however, remain in complete control. You are fully conscious and can follow
directions easily. While you may not burst out laughing, you should feel very relaxed and comfortable.
It works very fast! Nitrous oxide reaches the brain in about 20
seconds, and it only takes about 2-3 minutes to completely relax.
The amount of sedation can be changed very
easily, by turning the amount of nitrous up or down. The effects are almost instantaneous. Other forms of sedation have more of a fixed
duration of time because the effects of pills or IV sedation have a specific
amount of time needed to run their course.
Nitrous can be administered only when needed and turned off as soon as
the procedure is done.
When we do turn off the nitrous, we will then
switch it to all oxygen. The nitrous
dissipates very quickly and you are able to go right back to your daily
activities, such as work or school.