DENTIST GAS

aka...

Dental LAUGHING GAS, or dentist NITROUS OXIDE, is a form of conscious sedation, which can help reduce DENTAL ANXIETY. This is opposed to an unconscious sedation, where you are put to sleep.

The good parts of the gas is that because it is inhaled, it acts very quickly, but also leaves the body very quickly. You also are conscious throughout the procedure, so you do not need to worry about losing CONTROL. Because it leaves your body within minutes, you are also able to drive home, and will not impair you for the remainder of the day.

It does not knock you out, but can make you feel more relaxed. It often makes your body tingle, and can give your body feel lighter.

There are conditions in which NITROUS OXIDE should NOT be used. They include but are not limited to,

• PREGNANT patients
• Patients with RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

APPARATUS: One potential problem is the apparatus. When work is to be done on the upper front teeth, the nosepiece which is used to administer the DENTIST GAS, can sometimes get in the way of where the dentist is working. On the other hand, that is THE DENTIST’S PROBLEM, not yours.