Need Nitrous Oxide Sedation near Mission Viejo, Orange County, CA?

Nitrous oxide sedation, commonly referred to as “laughing gas”, is a safe and effective sedative used in sedation dentistry. The sedative is not meant to put you to sleep, so you can expect to hear and respond to any requests, comments or questions from your dentist. The effects of the sedative will last for as long as you are wearing the mask that delivers the agent, and for a short time after removing the mask.

How is Nitrous Oxide Introduced to the Patient?

The sedative agent is mixed with oxygen, which is then inhaled by the patient through a small mask that fits directly on your nose, helping you to relax during the procedure. Patients will typically begin to feel the effects of the sedation within two to five minutes after inhalation. Among inhalational anesthetics, nitrous oxide-oxygen has the fastest onset.

What Are the Dangers of Using Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous is a drug, and like some other drugs, can be emotionally habit forming. Aside from that, the main complication experienced after using nitrous oxide is hypoxia, which affects the functions of both the brain and heart. Chronic exposure to the substance can cause hematological and neurological changes. It is not recommended that nitrous oxide be used more than 24 hours due to risk of bone marrow depression. But the standard for using nitrous oxide in sedation dentistry runs on a large margin of error, greatly minimizing the risk of danger from using nitrous oxide-oxygen.

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