Nitrous Oxide In Enfield, CT - Pappas Family Dentistry

We know that there are a lot of people who have anxiety around visiting the dentist, and some may not get the care they need because of fear; however, our team here at Pappas Family Dentistry wants to ensure that not only do people get the routine care and treatments they need but they also feel 100 percent comfortable whenever they are sitting in our dental chair. This is why we are pleased to offer our patients a variety of sedation options to help calm their nerves. One popular sedation option is nitrous oxide.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is one of the most common types of sedation options offered in a dental office. It’s also the only type of inhalation sedation, which means that we don’t have to administer it with needles or through an IV, making this an easy choice for patients of all ages (including kids!).

You probably know this form of sedation from its nickname “laughing gas”. This mild sedative is an easy and safe way to help patients feel relaxed and calm throughout the dental procedure. The effects are almost instant, from the moment the gas is administered, and the effects also disappear quickly after treatment, so you don’t have to worry about feeling groggy or “spacy” for hours after your procedure.

How does nitrous oxide work?

If you’ve talked it over with your dentist and decided that nitrous oxide is going to be the best sedation method for your upcoming dental procedure, it’s important to understand how it will work. While nitrous oxide can make you feel tired, light-headed and relax it will not put you to sleep. You will still be able to hear everything around you and respond to the dentist, but you’ll just feel far more comfortable and at ease during the procedure.

Before your procedure, a small mask is placed over your nose. You will be instructed to take a few deep breaths through your nose. You will feel the effects almost instantly. Once the mask is removed at the end of the procedure the effects will wear off immediately.

What are the benefits of nitrous oxide?

One of the major benefits of nitrous oxide is that it provides a simple way to take away a patient’s anxiety and stress around getting the dental care they need so they don’t put off an important procedure that could save a tooth.

Another benefit is that nitrous oxide doesn’t come with any side effects and you won’t feel the effects for hours after, like you often do with oral sedation. This makes it a safe option for all of our nervous patients, from children to seniors.

If you are interested in learning more about nitrous oxide the other sedation options Pappas Family Dentistry offers, give us a call at (860) 745-0662.