Nitrous Oxide – Doylestown, PA
Stress-Free
Dental Care
Taking care of your teeth shouldn’t require you or your child to battle through stress and anxiety. That’s why Dr. Rakowsky and our team do everything we can to help our patients feel comfortable, and for those with stubborn dental nerves, we offer nitrous oxide. With it, we can help a patient avoid physical discomfort and unwanted thoughts so their dental experience is smooth, easy, and flows by quickly. Want to use it at you or your child’s next appointment? If so, give us a call today to learn more about nitrous oxide in Doylestown, PA.
Why Choose Terry Rakowsky DMD for Nitrous Oxide?
- 30+ Years of Experience Working with Patients of All Ages
- Can Be Tailored for Each Unique Patient
- Friendly Team That Puts Your Comfort First
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide (otherwise known as “laughing gas”) is a calming solution that has been used for decades. Not only that, but it’s safe, gentle, effective, and can be used for any type of dental procedure – from routine cleanings to tooth extractions. If you are interested in learning more about this type of dental sedation, you can give our Doylestown dental team a call or read on!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide sedation has been extensively tested over the years, and it’s considered safe for patients of all ages. That said, we do need to review your medical history first. After all, if you have a condition that makes it difficult to breathe, like asthma, then nitrous oxide is not the ideal solution for you.
Fortunately, many patients who struggle with dental-related anxiety, sensitive gag reflexes, or nerves stemming from the sights and sounds of the dental office are candidates. So, if you’ve been putting off getting the care you need or want, don’t hesitate to give us a call – nitrous oxide may just be the solution you’ve been looking for!
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Once you arrive at our office, we will take you back to your treatment room and help you get settled comfortably into the chair. Then, we will place a small nasal mask over your nose and begin the flow of nitrous oxide. In addition to being colorless and odorless, the gas is fast-acting. In fact, many patients feel the effects within a matter of minutes!
If you’re curious what to expect, many patients say they feel warm, happy, and slightly numb all over. One of the biggest perks of nitrous oxide is that we can adjust the amount someone is receiving based on their comfort level. So, if you need more or less during your time in the treatment chair, that can easily be accommodated!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
If you’re curious about recovery time after receiving dental sedation, we have some good news for you: the effects of nitrous oxide dissipate quickly. In fact, after the mask is removed, you should feel completely normal! So, you don’t need to ask a trusted friend to drive you home from your appointment or spend the rest of the day recovering; you can get right back into your routine.
Important note: If we restored a damaged tooth with a dental crown, we removed an infection with a root canal, or we extracted a tooth to make room in your mouth prior to your orthodontic treatment, then we will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure you heal comfortably. A few examples include not chewing on that side of your mouth, not drinking alcohol, and not using tobacco products.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Many patients experience anxiety around dental visits, especially if they’re undergoing a major procedure that requires sedation. It’s only natural to wonder whether there are negative effects either during its application or after the fact once it wears off.
Fortunately, sedation dentistry is usually harmless when it’s administered by a qualified professional. Nitrous oxide specifically is considered the safest for the most amount of people. However, before deciding whether this medication is right for you, Dr. Rakowsky will update your medical history and examine your current dental condition to avoid risking your oral or general well-being.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated?
Multiple medications can be used for dental sedation, producing a range of different sensations. That said, Dr. Rakowsky currently offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which is well-known for causing a euphoric or giggly sensation.
This medication doesn’t technically numb pain, but it does affect the oxygen in your body to keep it from reaching your brain to reduce pain sensitivity. It doesn’t necessarily numb you (that’s what topical anesthetics are for), but it keeps you relaxed and content. You may feel tingling in your arms and legs, or feel sleepy and want to drift off.
The drug is administered through a mask placed over your nose while Dr. Rakowky works and wears off moments after you stop inhaling it.
Will I Remember My Procedure with Dental Sedation?
It’s natural to worry that being sedated means that you’ll be forced into a state of unconsciousness, which can trigger panic in a lot of people. Thankfully, nitrous oxide doesn’t “knock you out”. You’ll be awake enough to respond to Dr. Rakowsky’s questions or instructions but might experience some mental fog or memory loss afterward. Many anxiety-prone patients consider this an added benefit because they don’t want to remember every detail of their time spent in the dental chair.
What are the Risks of Sedation Dentistry?
Typically, dental sedatives are safe for most people, but that doesn’t mean it’s ideal for everyone’s circumstances. There are some instances in which it can put your health at risk. Our team might not recommend nitrous oxide if you:
- Suffer from sleep apnea.
- Take certain medications that complicate sedation.
- Are pregnant in the first or third trimester.
- Have had middle ear surgery.
- Have a respiratory condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry, the best way to find out is to contact us and schedule a consultation!
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe While Pregnant?
It’s not recommended for any patient who is pregnant to receive dental sedation, even nitrous oxide sedation in Doylestown. This is because the drugs involved in sedation can pass through the placenta. During your first trimester, sedation drugs can encourage premature labor. If you were in dire need of a dental treatment, the safest time to offer sedation is typically during the second trimester, but most dentists recommend that procedures that require sedation wait until after the pregnancy whenever possible.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
The cost of sedation dentistry will largely depend on whether or not your dental insurance plan covers the service. Our team at Dr. Terry F. Rakowsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will conduct a benefits check with your insurance plan and let you know how much the expected out-of-pocket cost will be before moving forward with treatment. We’ll also file dental insurance claims on your behalf to maximize your benefits if they do cover the cost of dental sedation.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact our front desk staff!
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
We offer nitrous oxide sedation, which is one of the gentlest and shortest-lasting methods of sedation available. After your procedure is complete, our team will have you breathe in oxygen to flush the effects from your system. In most cases, our patients who receive nitrous oxide sedation are able to carry on with the rest of their day as they normally would without any downtime.
Will I Feel Any Pain Under Dental Sedation?
Sedation and local anesthesia do two very different things. While sedation helps ease anxiety, fear, and nervousness, it doesn’t numb the treatment area. It can dull your senses and nerves, but our team will also likely administer local anesthesia if it’s necessary to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort or pain.
Does Dental Sedation Put You to Sleep?
Nitrous oxide sedation, or any method of dental sedation, does not put you to sleep. While it can make you groggy and relaxed, sometimes so much so that you fall asleep, it doesn’t work like anesthesia and renders you unconscious. Throughout your treatment, you’ll remain able to respond to our team’s requests, including being able to answer our questions and being aware of what’s happening around you.