Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is an analgesic and mild sedative. It is a very safe gas/oxygen mixture, which is inhaled nasally. The use of   nitrous oxide can help many people learn to cope with the sometimes stressful dental experience. Since nitrous oxide generally provides a pleasant sensation, it enables people to remain relaxed for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide decreases fear, anxiety, apprehension, and pain sensations, but it does not always work for everyone.

Nitrous oxide in the dental office is never used as a general anesthetic; it does not put you “to sleep.” For this reason, local anesthetic may still be necessary, but much more comfortable to receive.

Procedures

A nasal mask is placed on the nose, and the nitrous oxide gas is breathed in.

Benefits

Help with anxiety and pain, gagging, and medically compromised individuals.

Common Risks

• Excessive Perspiration: Sweating may occur during the procedure, and you may become somewhat flushed and or experience a warm feeling throughout the body during administration of nitrous oxide
  
• Behavioral Problems: Some patients may become difficult to treat because they are so talkative, or  experience vivid dreams associated with physical movement of the body.
• Shivering: Although not common, shivering can be quite uncomfortable. Shivering usually develops at the end of the sedative procedure, when the nitrous oxide has been stopped.
• Nausea and Vomiting: This is the most frequent of the side effects of nitrous oxide sedation, but its frequency is  still quite low.  In order to use nitrous oxide sedation, you must not have eaten or drank anything for 3-4 hours prior to the procedure. 
• Driving a Motor Vehicle: You may not feel capable of driving after nitrous If this occurs, we will keep you until you feel better or have you call a friend or cab to insure your safety.

Alternative Treatments

Sedation or no treatment

Consequences of Not Performing These Procedures

Fears of or anxiety about the dental experience and/or avoidance of future dental appointments, if not diminished by the use of nitrous oxide sedation, may precipitate other medical problems, including fainting, palpitation, and other heart-related disorders.

Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that your nitrous oxide administration is completed properly, although it is not possible to guarantee perfect results. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have received adequate information about the proposed procedures, that you understand this information, and that all of your questions have been answered fully. You also give permission for information gained from your treatment to be used in clinical and economic research, practice marketing, and patient education activities and materials, provided that your identity is not reasonably discernible.