Oral Conscious Sedation/ Nitrous Oxide

Many people are calm, comfortable, and confident in a dental office. Some people, however, feel anxious during treatment. These people may need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable. Oral Conscious Sedation and/or nitrous oxide/oxygen are safe effective techniques to calm a person’s fear of the dental visit.

Oral Conscious Sedation makes use of a prescription medication taken orally before the dental appointment.

The prescription medication is given to the patient and is taken orally prior to the dental appointment. The medication induces a drowsy, relaxed feeling. Due to the relaxing effect of the medication, a friend or family member must drive the patient to and from their dental appointment. During Oral Conscious Sedation, the patient’s vital signs are monitored. Although patients are not completely unconscious, many patients sleep through their dental appointment. Some patients may have little or no memory or their treatment.

Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect. You will smell a sweet, pleasant aroma and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation. Normal breathing of oxygen eliminates the nitrous oxide/oxygen from the body.

Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is mild, easily taken and quickly eliminated by the body. You remain fully conscious and keep all or your natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen.