Sedation Dentistry for Pasadena and Deer Park, Texas
One of the easiest is Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). It’s been used safely for over 100 years. This sweet smelling blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen reduces anxiety, minimizes an overactive gag reflex, raises your pain threshold and helps make your dental visit pleasant and comfortable with its calming effect.
Nitrous Oxide is non-addictive, predictable, and reliable and is, perhaps, the safest sedative in dentistry. During the treatment, you remain fully conscious and have all your natural reflexes. Both adults and children can use it. In fact, 85% off all pediatric dentists use “laughing gas” with their patients. You quickly recover in about 5 minutes after the nitrous oxide is turned off, and you are switched to pure oxygen to breathe. It is safe to drive and return to your normal activities after the visit.
The nitrous oxide is administered through a “mask” or nosepiece that fits snugly over your nose. The amount you receive can be individually adjusted to satisfy your personal needs. A euphoric effect is produced that may be accompanied by a tingling in the hands and feet. Some report feeling giddy – thus the name laughing gas. The most common response we hear is “I’m aware of what is happening, but it doesn’t bother me.”
Contraindications to the use of nitrous oxide are pregnancy, if you are uncomfortable with something around your nose or if you have a respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult. It is recommended to refrain from eating for about 2 hours before treatment. Nitrous oxide is excellent for patients with a history of heart problems because it reduces tension and provides 2-3 times more oxygen than breathing normal air.
Nitrous oxide does not numb teeth, so most patients use it in combination with a local dental anesthetic. However, after being placed on nitrous oxide for several minutes, many patients report not feeling the injection or being aware of the injection and not caring.
Also, Dr. Nugent has more dental sedation options. Be sure to ask him next time about the many sedation options available.
Dr. Nugent is a leader in Sedation Dentistry. Patients from Pasadena, Deer Park, Friendswood, La Porte, Clear Lake, Leauge City, Webster, Pearland and Houston Texas trust the expertise of Dr. Nugent for all their dental sedation needs. Come see why Dr. Nugent was voted BEST PASADENA TEXAS DENTIST 2010 and BEST PASADENA TEXAS DENTIST 2011.
