Anyone who has ever watched cartoons has probably seen a few portrayals of dental sedation. The image of the goofy caricature hallucinating and cackling like a hyena under the effects of laughing gas might be funny, but it is not quite true to life. The practice is a safe method that has kept patients comfortable in the dental chair for centuries. Here are the realities behind the many misconceptions about laughing gas and some of the other effective forms of sedation dentistry.
Busting Misconceptions About Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of dental sedation and is usually associated with treating cavities and dental anxiety. Some people believe that it is a dangerous, addictive drug that makes people lose control of themselves, but that is not true. It raises the pain threshold and helps the patient remain calm. Here’s what to know about nitrous oxide:
“Laughing gas” is just a name.
While nitrous oxide is also called laughing gas, it doesn’t have any effect on making patients laugh. It will simply put you at ease and reduce your anxiety. You will still be in control of yourself.
Nitrous oxide is not addictive.
You cannot get physically addicted to nitrous oxide or suffer from withdrawals. However, it can be abused by people without supervision.
Nitrous oxide is not a truth serum.
Some people worry that they’ll blab their secrets while receiving laughing gas, but this is false. You remain completely in control of yourself under nitrous oxide and responsive to verbal commands.
Nitrous oxide wears off quickly.
If you receive nitrous oxide at the dentist’s office, you won’t remain under the influence for hours after treatment. It does not remain in the system for long and the effects wear off completely within a half hour.
Keeping It Real About Other Forms of Sedation Dentistry
While dental sedation is usually associated with complicated surgical procedures, it can also be used for any other procedure if the patient suffers from dental anxiety. Other than nitrous oxide, forms of dental sedation include:
- Oral Sedation – You take a prescribed pill thirty minutes prior to sitting in the dentist’s chair. You will then be in a relaxed state and able to communicate with the dentist for the whole of the appointment.
- IV Sedation – Intravenous sedation will keep you in a conscious state, but you will be drowsy and require someone to drive them home afterward.
While dental sedation is completely safe for most people, there are some preexisting conditions that limit dental sedation options including pregnancy and use of medications that react poorly with a form of sedation. However, if you can’t receive one form of sedation, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from using another.
Dental sedation is a tried-and-true method of helping patients stay comfortable throughout dental procedures. If you need oral surgery, a cavity treated, or if you are just anxious about going to the dentist, don’t let any of the misconceptions about laughing gas or these other options fool you; they can keep your appointment pleasant and uneventful.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides oral surgical services to the community in the area of Jupiter, FL. With a team of oral surgeons including Drs. Paul Weinstein, Travis Thompson, Jeronimo Guzman, Christopher Chafin, and David Holland, the practice offers treatments such as tooth extractions, dental implants, and facial trauma surgery. If you are curious about what sedation can do for you during oral surgery, contact the office online or call the Jupiter location at (561) 743-8311.