Serious Facts about Laughing Gas in Dentistry

To stave off the dental phobia of their patients, many dentists choose varying means of applying sedatives before certain treatments, especially invasive ones, like implant surgery. One such technique involves the use of nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas. Here are a few basic facts about this sedation:

What is it?

Nitrous oxide is a colorless and odorless gas that you breathe in, so you won’t have to add your fear of needles to your dental phobia problems. While it’s a painkiller, it doesn’t exactly put you to sleep, as some people might expect. Instead, in the right dose, it will get you to a relaxed state, almost like a “happy drunk” experience.

Benefits

Since you won’t be unconscious, you could still communicate with the dentist, albeit in a very limited manner (your muscles will be relaxed). It also wears off rather quickly, and it doesn’t have a lengthy recovery time, so patients can go into the dentist’s chair and back home without having to ask someone to escort them.

Warnings

Despite these benefits though, as with any sedation technique, nitrous oxide can be dangerous unless handled by a registered professional with training or education as to its use. Moreover, this substance can be highly addictive, so it’s important that you’re getting only the right amount at the right time.