Sedation Dental Care: Rethink Dentistry with Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Do you avoid dental treatments because of dental anxiety? Having difficulty staying calm in the dental chair? Nitrous oxide sedation in Sioux City, Iowa, can help you enjoy dentistry again. Also known as happy or laughing gas, nitrous oxide offered at Sioux City Family Dentistry alters the perception of pain, creating a feeling of relaxation as the dentist works on you.

How nitrous oxide works

Nitrous oxide is a colorless and odorless gas that has a calming effect when inhaled. The dentist administers this sedation by placing a mask on your nose. Once you inhale the gas, the sedation effects kick off in minutes. Some patients experience tingling in their hands, and a floaty feeling, but the overall feeling is a sense of euphoria and relaxation.

The calming effects of sedation dentistry allow dental-phobic patients to tolerate treatments they’d otherwise avoid. After the mask is removed, the sedation effects leave the body within minutes. This way, you can drive yourself and continue with your everyday activities.

What to expect from nitrous oxide sedation 

Laughing gas is easy to administer and requires almost no preparation. Perhaps the dentist will tell you to avoid eating for a few hours before the procedure because some patients can experience nausea. To customize your treatment, it’s also essential to inform your doctor about your medical history, including allergies.

We administer nitrous oxide through a small mask that fits over your nose. The mask allows you to breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. We will adjust the levels to achieve the desired level of sedation. Nitrous oxide doesn’t put you to sleep—you’ll be awake/conscious and able to respond to our instructions during treatment.  

Nitrous oxide has a rapid onset of action, providing a quick and effective way to induce relaxation. Once the procedure is complete, we’ll remove the mask, and the effects of nitrous oxide will wear off quickly. You’ll resume normal activities without lingering sedative effects.

Benefits of nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is an effective mild sedative used to help patients feel at ease when undergoing treatments like cavity treatments and dental extractions. Nitrous oxide is a commonly used sedation in dentistry, offering several benefits like.

  • Few to no side effects
  • It’s easy to administer
  • It’s suitable for patients of all ages, including children
  • The sedation level can be adjusted 

Nitrous oxide isn’t only suitable for patients with low pain tolerance. It’s also ideal for patients with a strong gag reflex, allowing the dentist to work on you with minimal discomfort.

Sedation dentistry near meDon’t let dental fear prevent you from achieving your healthy smile—experience stress-free and comfortable dental visits with sedation dentistry. Call (712) 639-6665 to reserve an appointment with Dr. Nhu Le and the team.