Nitrous Oxide – Gainesville, GA
Overcome Your Dental Fears with Sedation Dentistry
If your palms get sweaty or your heart starts racing at just the thought of visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. Nearly 60% of people have some anxiety when it comes to dental care. Thankfully, you don’t need to put a healthy smile on hold. Your sedation dentist in Gainesville will help you sit back and relax with nitrous oxide. No matter if you need to have a simple procedure or you’re anxious about the sights and sounds during your appointment, we’ll help you enjoy your time in our office for a stress-free visit.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Dr. Her has undergone extra training to achieve certification in sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide. You might know it better as “laughing gas.” The inhaled sedative consists of a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, which is delivered through a mask placed over the nose. When compared to other sedatives, Dr. Her has a greater control over the amount that’s administered to cater to your personal needs. It can be increased or decreased in small increments as needed.
As the sedative takes effect, you won’t be “put to sleep.” Instead, you will reach a deep level of relaxation to the point you might doze off, but we can awaken you easily. You might feel a bit light-headed or experience tingling in your arms and legs. Some patients say their extremities feel heavy. Overall, you’ll feel calm and comfortable. You won’t be aware of the environment around you or experience any pain. You may not even remember the treatment afterward.
At the end of your procedure, the sedative is stopped and the effects will dissipate within a matter of a few minutes. In fact, you can drive yourself home, so you won’t need to worry about arranging a ride home.
Am I a Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
If you are nervous about an upcoming dental appointment or procedure, you might be a candidate for nitrous oxide. Often, it’s recommended for patients who have:
- Dental-related fears or anxieties
- Strong gag reflex
- Difficulty holding the jaw open
- Neck or back pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain
Nitrous oxide is not recommended for patients who are pregnant, have elevated blood pressure, or glaucoma. There are other medical issues that can cause adverse complications, so Dr. Her will need to review your medical history.
What is the Recovery Time?
Nitrous oxide doesn’t cause any lingering side effects like other sedatives. As a result, you will not need special accommodations; however, Dr. Her may have follow-up instructions depending on your treatment. He will take the time to review your go-home instructions and answer any questions before you leave our office.
Sit Back and Relax Today
Don’t let your fear of the dentist prevent you from getting the care your teeth and gums need to stay healthy. If you’re anxious about visiting the dentist or have an upcoming procedure, contact our office today to learn more about nitrous oxide. We look forward to helping you relax during your visit.
Nitrous Oxide FAQs
Would you like to learn more about receiving nitrous oxide sedation when you visit your dentist? At Lifetime Dental of Gainesville, we strive to help our patients feel comfortable and at-ease while they receive the treatments they need. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions that we receive about this service below.
What does nitrous oxide sedation feel like?
Once we place the small mask over your face and begin administering the nitrous oxide, you’ll begin to feel a wave of euphoric pleasance flow over you. Some patients say that they feel a tingling sensation, so if you do feel this way, know that it’s completely normal. Overall, you’ll feel completely relaxed and at-ease during your treatment while you’re receiving nitrous oxide sedation.
Will nitrous oxide keep me from feeling pain?
If you have a low pain tolerance due to your nerves or simply don’t like the feeling of having instruments in your mouth, nitrous oxide will help ease that discomfort. While it’s not a local anesthetic, it does help mute your senses so you’re not overwhelmed with pain or anxiety while we treat you. It also lowers your sensitivity when it comes to touch and hearing as well.
Can I drive home if I receive nitrous oxide sedation during my dental appointment?
One of the best benefits about nitrous oxide sedation is that the effects wear off just as quickly as they begin. As soon as we remove the mask from your face, you’ll notice yourself coming down from the sedation and returning back to your normal feeling. Within a few minutes, you’ll be completely fine to drive home from your appointment and carry on with the rest of your day as you normally would. However, if you do feel slightly lightheaded or woozy afterward, we do recommend that you have a close friend or trusted family member come pick you up from your appointment to ensure your safety.
Is nitrous oxide safe?
Nitrous oxide administered by a trained sedation dentist in Gainesville, like Dr. Her, is completely safe. The sedation treatment itself administers a mixture of about 70 percent oxygen and 30 percent nitrogen. This can be altered depending on your reaction to the sedation and how serious your procedure is. Throughout the entire time that you’re under sedation, one of our dental professionals will be monitoring your vitals to ensure that you’re completely safe and adjust the nitrous oxide administration accordingly.