Chelsea House
2411 Crofton Lane #19A
Crofton, Maryland 21114
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(410) 721-0900 |
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(410) 721-0915 |
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Opening Hours
Tues-Thu: 8am to 4pm
Fri: 8am to 2pm
Alternate Saturdays: 8am to 2pm
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Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide (NO,
Laughing Gas) is a colorless, slightly sweet-smelling gas that is
introduced through a nasal mask. It works as you breath e it in
through your nose. It has been used in dentistry for over 100 years.
The most common response for most people is… " I’m aware of what is
going on, but it does not bother me". Sometimes there is an
accompanying tingling in the hands and feet. In controlled use
during a dental procedure it produces a slightly euphoric effect,
similar to that produced by Valium, or a cocktail. It is probably
the most controllable, reliable and predictable of the moderately
effective light sedation agents.
Will it eliminate "the shot"? For
complete pain control it is usually necessary to use a local
anesthetic in conjunction with nitrous oxide. However, NO also makes
the injection much more comfortable.
Each person is comfortable at
different levels of NO, which is what we determine at the initial
first visit. A few people just end up not liking it for one reason
or another, but for those people who do use it; it can literally
make a world of difference in their comfort and perception of
dentistry.
Nobody absolutely needs nitrous,
although it makes the visit so much more comfortable that we almost
routinely use it for fillings and other work on children (3-10 yrs).
I recommend everyone try NO if they have any apprehension whatsoever
about having dental work done. Why be uncomfortable if something so
safe and easy is available? It is simply an extension of local
anesthetic; anything that can make your experience more comfortable
is what we are interested in providing for you.
The effects wear off as soon as you
stop breathing the nitrous oxide and most people are completely back
to normal responses within 1-5 minutes. Some people report a
lingering effect, but that is most likely just due to the total
relaxation some people feel under Nitrous Oxide. There are no
long-term effects unless you are exposed to it frequently over an
extended period of time.
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