Pain and the fear have long been associated with dentistry. Modern dentistry has the means to control pain, with safe reliable local anesthetics and conscious sedation. Yet, for many people, the fear of dentistry remains a serious deterrent to seeking and receiving needed dental treatment. In the US annually, 155 million people have acute pain at least once a year, yet 35 million people in the US avoid dental care because of fear.
To a large degree, success in dentistry requires the recognition and effective treatment of fear and anxiety in patients. Local anesthesia does not necessarily reduce fear, and in fact, since it is administered by a "needle" it may be the source of fear itself. For this reason, along with many other reasons Cantwell Dental Group offers a conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, for our patients during their dental procedures. Nitrous Oxide is also referred to as "laughing gas" and provides relaxation, although the patient will be awake, fully conscious and aware of surroundings. Reasons patients’ request nitrous oxide include: fear or anxiety, difficulty getting numb or problems with local anesthetics, prolonged appointments, medically compromised and / or patients whom have strong gag reflexes.
The use of Nitrous Oxide in dentistry dates all the way back to 1844. Since that time, many patients have elected to have nitrous oxide analgesia during their dental appointments, to make the time spent in the dental chair more comfortable for the patient to receive necessary dental work with less pain and / or anxiety. Nitrous Oxide is administered through an inhalation route, with a small rubber hood resting on top of the nasal area.
It is very important the Doctor has a complete and up to date medical history on you, if you are considering having nitrous oxide during a dental procedure. Nitrous Oxide is a very safe and effective way of conscious sedation to facilitate and improve patient's oral health.