Nitrous Oxide Huntington Beach CA It isn't uncommon for patients to be anxious during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide has long been used in dental and surgical anesthesia, mainly to put patients at ease. At Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, our doctors employ safe and effective means to manage your pain and anxiety during a dental procedure. This highly used gaseous anesthetic is also referred to as nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, relative analgesia, and conscious sedation. What is Nitrous Oxide?Nitrous oxide is commonly used for pain relief and sedation. Most medical professionals use it to sedate patients undergoing minor procedures. Since it's a dissociative anesthetic, it can dissociate one's mind from the body. How Do Dentists Administer It?This type of sedation usually starts and ends with the patient getting 100% oxygen. Your dentist may adjust the flow rate after observing the reservoir bag. They will also ensure that the bag pulsates gently and isn't under or overinflated. Following the oxygen, they may titrate nitrous oxide in 10% intervals based on the procedure's requirement and increase it until they've achieved the desired effect. Throughout the course of administration, your dentist will encourage you to breathe through your nose. They may also inquire how you're feeling to ensure that the right level of nitrous is being administered. What Are the Objectives of Nitrous Oxide?One of the major objectives of using this gas is to eliminate or reduce your anxiety during a minor dental procedure. Patients tend to react and make movements during procedures which can disrupt and extend the procedure duration. Administering nitrous oxide is imperative to increase your tolerance for longer appointments. Furthermore, it also aids in the treatment of patients that are medically compromised. Advantages of Nitrous OxideFor one, it's easy to administer, and there's a wide margin of safety, which further puts you at ease. Recovery is usually fast since no hangover effect is experienced. In most cases, there are no instances of nausea, and titration is also possible. The odor is bland and usually non-irritating. All in all, administering it does not require much preparation and is relatively easy and safe. Possible RisksWhile no major risks are expected, you will be required to breathe through the nose. Additionally, in rare cases, there is a chance of nasal hood interference. It's also important to note that therapeutic levels tend to vary from patient to patient. Administering too much or too little nitrous oxide can also have a detrimental effect. Unwanted side effects are rare but not impossible. Learn More About Your Sedation OptionsAt Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, our professionals believe in providing patients with utmost care and comfort. Nitrous oxide is not only the safest but also the easiest to administer, and it hardly induces any discomfort. However, our team makes sure to inform you about all of the sedation options you can avail of before the procedure begins so you can make an informed decision. Call Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 657-384-2787 to schedule an appointment. |
