In addition to their technical skills, dentists must also consider patient discomfort and pain management. Many people are afraid of dentists and there are procedures that require anesthetic and numbing properties. 

Because of this, nitrous oxide has become a common tool in dentistry that’s been in use since the 1800s. The American Dental Association estimates that up to 70% of dentists in the United States use it to manage pain and anxiety. 

Commonly called laughing gas or happy gas, nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless, and sweet-smelling inorganic gas which, when used properly, can be a safe and effective means of managing pain and anxiety in dentistry.

This post highlights some of the top benefits of nitrous oxide in dental care and how nexAir can meet these needs.

 

Benefits of Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Here are the main reasons why nitrous oxide is a popular sedation method in dentistry:

Safe and Effective

Nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most effective sedation methods because it’s non-addictive.

During dental procedures, nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen. This makes it safe for the brain while preventing hypoxia and other side effects.

It’s also easy to monitor and alter the level of sedation at any given time, which further contributes to its safety.

Increases Comfort

Within minutes of administration, nitrous oxide can make patients feel calm while reducing pain during their procedure. Since they remain conscious and aware of their surroundings, nitrous oxide promotes effective communication between you and your patients, enabling them to receive better and more responsive care. 

Easy and Quick Recovery

Despite its potency, nitrous oxide has no severe side effects. Its impact quickly dissipates after you stop administering the gas. This means little to no downtime for patients, allowing them to return to their daily lives and normal state of awareness almost immediately. It’s one of the few sedation procedures where patients can drive themselves home after treatment and carry on with their regular activities.

Fast-acting

Nitrous oxide is fast-acting. It enters the bloodstream rapidly, taking as little as two to three minutes for the pain-killing and calming properties to reach the body and brain.

Safe for Patients of All Ages

Nitrous oxide is safe and effective for patients of all ages. Young children, the elderly, and patients with special needs sometimes find it hard to sit still for long periods and follow necessary directions. In such cases, nitrous oxide’s calming effects can help ensure the success of dental treatments.

Easy Administration

Nitrous oxide is easily administered with a breathing mask. Other sedation methods require needles, prior medication, and other more invasive procedures.

 

Forge Forward With nexAir KnowHow

With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that nitrous oxide is one of the preferred methods for sedating patients in dentistry. Its easy administration, safety, fast-acting, pain-relieving, and calming effects with almost zero downtime make it more convenient than other sedatives.

If you’re looking for a reliable nitrous oxide supplier, allow nexAir to help you Forge Forward. nexAir supplies several dependable specialty gases such as nitrous oxide to a wide range of industries, including healthcare. We use our KnowHow to understand our clients’ stringent needs so that we can deliver consistent high-quality gases that you can count on.

Learn more about partnering with us by visiting our website, giving us a call at 888-639-2474, or sending us a message.