For some, dental treatment can be frightening and stressful thought. Often, they put off going to dentist till too late. We want to make your visit as comfortable as possible. So, we have just introduced something new at Alexandra Dental Clinic to help make this happen.
Nitrous oxide, also known as happy air or laughing gas, can help make your dental experience a more relaxed and stressed free. Nitrous oxide allows you to have your treatment done while putting you in a calmer state. It is a safe and non-invasive technique. It significantly reduces the sensation of pain and memory of the treatment. Thus, it reducing fear and improves co-operation to enable dental therapy to be carried effectively and with ease.
When is Nitrous Oxide used?
- anxious and nervous individuals
- complex procedures in nervous adults such as removal of teeth, root canal therapy and fillings.
- to achieve cooperation from young kids.
- sometimes indicated in kids when injections need to be given. It can overcome fears that kids may have and avoids creating traumatic memory.
- individuals with heighten gag reflex.
How does Nitrous Oxide work?
In the dental chair, nitrous oxide is inhaled via a small nosepiece. The level of nitrous oxide is gradually increased to right level that is appropriate for you. Under nitrous oxide, you are likely to experience the following:
- General relaxation
- Slight tingling in your fingers and toes
- Heaviness in arms and legs
- Slight feeling of warmth
- Sometimes, state of ‘dreamy and floaty’
The major advantage of nitrous oxide sedation is that you will be awake and able to respond.
The dental treatment will be carried out. Local anaesthesia injections may also be given so that you don’t feel pain.
Upon completion of the treatment, you will be given 100% oxygen for minimum of three minutes, allowing time for you to return to normal state. It is easily reversed, and recovery is quick with minimal side effects. It is a good idea to be accompanied by chaperone.
Can anyone use Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is light form of sedation for reducing anxiety and improving cooperation. Some individuals and certain procedure may require more deeper sedation. We can guide you in the right direction for that.
Nitrous oxide is not effective if you are unable to breathe through your nose or have block nose or cold. It is not suitable for those with chronic respiratory disease, blocked ear, pre-cooperative children and pregnant women (first trimester).
Nitrous oxide offers you the possibility of receiving dental care with a reduced level of fear and anxiety. Ask us about nitrous oxide at your next dental visit.
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