Sedation dentistry is the practice that involves having local anesthetic administered by your dentist. One of the most common sedation dentistry used is nitrous oxide or as some people refer to it as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a mix between oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled it is absorbed by the body and gives a calming feeling. Nitrous oxide is very safe. The effects of nitrous oxide go away as soon as you start breathing in normal air. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that is like an oxygen mask. You will stay fully conscious your body will just become relaxed and you won't have the uneasy feeling.
Sedation dentistry especially nitrous oxide is used a lot with younger children. Sedation dentistry is used on smaller children because they are usually a lot more nervous about the dentist than older children and grown ups. Sedation dentistry helps relax children and it helps the dentist to be able to work in the child's mouth without having to sit and fight to try to keep the child's mouth open. Nitrous oxide is very easy to administer. It is administered through a noise piece that looks like an oxygen mask bit instead of just administering air it administers a mix of two gases. There are two tubes, one on each side. In one tube there is nitrous oxide. In the other tube there is plain oxygen. When they get to the noise piece they mix together. Usually the dentist has different smelling noise pieces that children can choose from. They can come in flavors from bubble gum to cinnamon. The dentist can control the level of nitrous oxide to make sure that the right amount is given. Nitrous oxide is not for every child though. Dentists know this. If your child has extreme anxiety, nasal congestion or other medical problems the dentist can offer other types of sedation dentistry that are better for your child.
There are many types of sedation dentistry that are out there used for different procedures and different people. Lets face it some people don't go to the dentist because they are scared. Sedation dentistry helps make it so there isn't any crying or panic and the dentist can do his job and do his job thorough. You want to get the best care for your teeth and gums that you can. So if sedation dentistry is your ticket to insure that the dentist can do his job right why not try it. With all of the variety of sedation dentistry out there, there has to be at least one type of sedation dentistry that can work for you.
Now that you know a little bit about what sedation dentistry is and what it can do for you. You can now decide if you think that sedation dentistry could be right for you. Call your dentist and see what types of sedation dentistry he/she has available. Your dentist will be able to tell you from knowing your past dental and health history what sedation dentistry is right for you. If there isn't a sedation dentistry procedure that will work for you, your dentist might be able to recommend other procedures that might.
About the Author
Dr. Hitesh Patel, DDS, is a leading dentist in Naperville, Illinois. Dr. Patel specializes in Naperville Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. Visit us for more information on Dr. Patel and the Naperville Dental Center, or call (630) 305-7500.
