What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide, or what is commonly known as laughing gas, is a chemical compound that has been widely used as an anesthetic and analgesic agent in dentistry. Dr. David Peck uses nitrous oxide to sedate patients that undergo specific dental procedures as part of his practice in his dental facility in Springfield, Massachusetts.
What are the uses of nitrous oxide in dentistry?
Using nitrous oxide as a sedating agent dentistry is, perhaps, its most common use in the medical field. Inhaling nitrous oxide depresses the pain sensation in the patient so that he may be able to undergo a procedure without being nervous or uneasy about the imminent dental operation. Nitrous oxide can be used to lesson discomfort for a variety of procedures, ranging from a simple dental cleaning appointment to the more complex procedures.
What should I expect with the use of nitrous oxide?
A precise dose of a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen will be inhaled by the patient prior to the indicated dental procedure, which will induce a state of complete relaxation that some patients have described as being overcome with a feeling of warmth, lightheadedness, and an overall sensation of comfort. On the other hand, nitrous oxide keeps the patient conscious during the entire procedure and this enables him to interact with the dentist all throughout the treatment. This makes it easier for the dentist to gauge whether the initial dose was enough for the patient, or if the ratio of nitrous oxide and oxygen should be adjusted to fit the patient’s requirement.
Is nitrous oxide safe to use as a method of sedation?
The use of nitrous oxide has been around for hundreds of years and, to this day, it remains to be one of the safest and best ways to achieve dental sedation in patients who experience fear or anxiety when faced with the possibility of undergoing a dental procedure. In fact, because it is extremely safe, it is the only station option that is being offered to children and two adults who are unable to receive other forms of anesthesia. Additionally, the effects of nitrous oxide relatively disappear quickly because it is classified to be a weak general anesthetic, and patients who choose to use this method for sedation are usually able to go about normal activity after the procedure without needing assistance or additional downtime to recover from the effects of the nitrous oxide.