Nitrous Oxide


 

Nitrous Oxide

Austin, TX

At B.J. Myers DDS & Associates, we have the option of Nitrous Oxide, it is a safe, effective sedative that can calm a patient during a dental procedure. nitrous oxide can also be used for children or adults whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment. nitrous oxide is given through a fitted mask that is placed over your nose. As you breathe normally the medication enters the lungs giving you a calming effect within minutes.

 

How will I feel while breathing Nitrous Oxide?

While breathing in the nitrous oxide, our patients report smelling a faint, sweet smell while experiencing a sense of relaxation. It may produce a feeling of giddiness, which gives it it's nickname, laughing gas. Some report dreaming while breathing in the medication, or that their arms and legs may feel tingly. What we do know is that nitrous oxide raises the pain threshold and may make time seem to pass quickly. If you are worried about your dental treatment and whatever sights, sounds or sensations may be part of it, you may respond more positively with the use of nitrous oxide. Dr. Myers can answer any questions you have about this sedation.

Is Nitrous Oxide safe?

This form of sedation, nitrous oxide, is very safe. It is perhaps the safest sedative. Studies tell us that it is well tolerated by patients of all ages and is non-allergenic. With this sedation, you will remain fully conscious. You are capable of responding to questions and requests. The effects of nitrous oxide are easily reversible within minutes, and in fact our patients are back to normal by the time you leave the dental chair. Nitrous oxide does not mean that you must have someone drive you home, our patients can almost always leave the office by themselves, without a second person.

What should I know before my appointment?

We ask patients, as a precaution, to not eat anything for about two hours prior to use of the gas. Occasionally, patients have experienced nausea or vomiting if they had a full stomach. Please inform us before your appointment of any medications that you are currently taking and if you have taken them during the day of your appointment. Respiratory issues may make it difficult to breathe only through your nose, please inform us beforehand if this will be an issue for you.

What can I expect afterwards?

Some patients have reported headaches following dental treatments with nitrous oxide. We have found that this may occur if the patient does not receive at least five minutes of pure oxygen after the nitrous has been turned off. We ask that you remain for the full duration of this post nitrous oxide process. This helps to flush away any remaining gas from the lungs and return you to an alert status.

For more information on nitrous oxide, and how our team at B.J. Myers & Associates can help you at our Austin, TX location, contact us at: (512) 506-9889

Location

2222 Dental
10601 Ranch Rd 2222, Suite S
Austin, TX 78730
Phone: 512-234-3983

Office Hours

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512-234-3983