Sedation Dentisty

In Nampa, Idaho

If Going to the Dentist Makes You Anxious...

If you feel anxious about your dental treatment, Middle Creek Dental can help with sedation dentistry using nitrous oxide. You most likely know nitrous oxide by its more common name, laughing gas. It is a form of mild sedation that is delivered through a small mask that is worn over your nose. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and is a colorless, odorless gas. It is the lightest form of sedation available and is designed to help take the edge off. In addition to helping you feel calmer, nitrous oxide raises your pain threshold while lowering the gag reflex. This particular type of sedation is ideal for patients who only experience minor anxiety regarding dental treatment.

Why Nitrous Oxide?

If the thought of having to undergo even a simple dental procedure makes you feel uneasy, you might avoid going. While it might not seem like a big deal at the time, undiagnosed or minor issues only continue to grow worse over time. This leads to the need for more invasive, more expensive, treatments later on. Even if you can get into the chair, you might not be able to sit still. You may become tense. These issues can make it difficult to provide you with proper, safe care. With nitrous oxide, you can relax during your treatment, allowing us to provide you with the care you need in the safest manner possible.

How Nitrous Oxide Works

Nitrous oxide is very straightforward. After you are seated in the dental chair, a small mask is secured over your nose. Before we begin treatment, the nitrous oxide and oxygen are turned on, and you begin to breathe in the mixture of gases. Nitrous oxide goes to work almost instantly, enabling you to relax and feel comfortable. You are still completely conscious. You can respond to requests and answer questions. Once your procedure is complete, we turn off the nitrous oxide, but leave the oxygen running for just a few minutes more. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost as quickly as it takes effect, and you are back to feeling like your normal self in no time. In most cases, you are even able to drive yourself home afterward.

Benefits of Nitrous Oxide

There are several benefits associated with nitrous oxide.
• No needles are necessary.
• You do not need to take medications before treatment.
• The effects of nitrous oxide take effect quickly and wear off quickly as well.
• The levels of sedation you receive can be adjusted quickly, which greatly reduces the risk of inhaling too much.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Nitrous oxide has been in use for well over a century. It is the safest form of sedation available and is very common in dental offices all over. There are also no lingering side effects once sedation has worn off.

If the thought of dental treatment causes you to feel anxious, ask us if sedation dentistry is right for you.

Call Middle Creek Dental at (208) 505-9975 today.