What to expect with Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) during dental treatments

At Conyers Endodontic Center, we love taking care of our patients’ teeth. But we know that visiting a dental practice doesn’t top everyone’s list of favorite activities. That’s why we are committed to making our patients’ experience as comfortable as possible when they visit our practice. If you have dental anxieties, a strong gag reflex, or will be undergoing several procedures in one visit, we may recommend nitrous oxide to help you feel calm and relaxed. 

What is nitrous oxide, and how does it work?

Also called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide has been used for many decades in dentistry as a safe and effective way of providing sedation during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-irritating gas breathed through a nasal mask while we perform your endodontic treatment. This provides a mild sedative effect that helps you feel calm and comfortable for the duration of your treatment. 

Nitrous oxide is:

• Safe
• Effective
• A great option for patients who have dental anxieties, special health care needs, or strong gag reflexes

What to expect when receiving nitrous oxide

To administer nitrous oxide, we gently place a mask over your nasal area — this mask is connected to a tube through which nitrous oxide will flow. Most patients begin to feel the effects within a few minutes. You may feel less inhibited, light-headed, or tingly but should have a general sense of calm. The nitrous oxide will be administered continuously at the appropriate dose throughout your treatment. After your treatment is complete, we will turn off the nitrous oxide and administer oxygen for approximately five minutes to help purge any remaining gas from your lungs and help you become more alert. 

Whereas oral medications and general anesthesia take several hours to wear off, the effects of laughing gas wear off within minutes after the flow of nitrous oxide is stopped. Because of this, patients typically do not need someone to drive them home from their treatment and, depending on the procedure performed, can resume normal activities soon afterward.

Comfortable care in a friendly environment

Your comfort matters to us at Conyers Endodontic Center. Laughing gas is just one of the many extra steps we take to ensure you have an excellent overall experience when receiving endodontic care at our practice. To schedule an appointment, call us at (470) 486-6025 today! 

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