Why Don’t Dentists Offer Laughing Gas Anymore?

Dental sedation by inhaling laughing gas was first used in 1844 in the United States. Currently, more than a third of dentists use this method, but its popularity is declining nevertheless.

This type of sedation is performed using a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (the so-called laughing gas), administered by respiration.

Nitrogen oxide is a colorless, non-invasive gas with no side effects and a slightly sweet taste and odor. It produces a conscious sedation. The patient becomes relaxed, no longer anxious, but still fully able to answer the doctor’s questions and cooperate during the treatment. Its effects are rapid – they appear 2-3 minutes after inhalation and disappear shortly after the dentists ceases to administer the gas.

It does not require special preparation before the beginning of the treatment. Once the session is over, the patient can leave the clinic alone.

Inhalation of laughing gas is considered the safest sedative used by Littleton family dentistry practitioners and it is recommended for both children and adults, due to its rapid and completely non-toxic effects.

So what are the reasons why the popularity of this type of sedation is declining? First of all, it is about setup costs, which are quite significant ($ 10,000- $ 20,000 to setup for nitrous). Also, given that the gas must be inhaled through the nose, it is not recommended in the case of patients who deal with a cold and have respiratory problems. Finally yet importantly, in the case of patients who consume alcoholic beverages or drugs, laughing gas inhalation, just like anesthesia, has not the desired effect.

 

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