Happy Gas Dentistry
Happy gas or laughing gas is one of the most common sedatives used for dental procedures. It can help ease your stress and anxiety before a dental procedure, and allow our dentists to conduct your treatment more efficiently.
Our dental team will consider several factors before determining whether happy gas is the best option for you to ensure a safe and efficient treatment. If you are not a suitable candidate for happy gas, we can discuss your options and recommend a sedation method that would be more appropriate for your situation.
What is Dental Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide, also known as happy gas or laughing gas, can work wonders in reducing stress and anxiety before a dental procedure.
This odourless, colourless gas acts as a sedative and will eleviate your worries in no time. By inhaling the gas, the oxygen supply to your brain is temporarily blocked, leaving you feeling cheerful and elated. However, these effects are short-lived, and you’ll be back to your old self within two minutes of halting gas administration.
At our Melbourne dental clinic, we use happy gas extensively to conduct seamless dental procedures. It not only alleviates your anxiety, it allows our team to carry out their work quickly and efficiently. Before determining whether happy gas is the best fit for your dental procedure, our dental team will take several factors into account.
Why Do Dentists Use Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas is a popular choice among dentists for sedating their patients due to its effectiveness and safety. Our qualified dentists employ the use of laughing gas in a range of procedures, from dental fillings to root canals and crowns. If you suffer from dental phobia or have anxiety related to dental work, laughing gas is a great way to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Root canal treatments, for instance, can be uncomfortable and incredibly painful if no sedation is involved. So we use laughing gas to make the procedure smooth. Laughing gas works like magic! It numbs the nerves in your mouth, blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
You might feel mild discomfort after the procedure, but these feelings are temporary, and should subside within a few hours. Trust us, you’re in safe hands!
What Are the Effects of Laughing Gas?
The laughing gas effects can vary based on the amount of sedation administered. Our dental team will adjust the level of sedation to ensure you are relaxed but remain awake. However, you may feel so relaxed that you fall asleep during the procedure.
Some common effects of happy gas include:
- Dreamlike thinking
- Feeling “giggly”
- Feeling calm
- Feeling relaxed
- Lightheadedness
- Sensation of warmness
- Sleepiness
- Tingling arms and legs
Once the nitrous oxide gas is switched off you will be given oxygen for a few minutes to eliminate the risk of headaches. This also helps purge the remaining laughing gas out of the lungs and help you to feel more awake and alert.The team usually recommends eating a light meal before and after the dental procedure to avoid vomiting and nausea.
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Choose The Right Dental Sedation Option For You
Our experienced dental team will conduct thorough assessments and consider your preferences before determining whether or not you are a suitable candidate to receive happy gas during dental procedures.
Your existing conditions and past experiences will help us decide which sedation would be the best for you to ensure the procedure is efficiently performed.
Get in touch with us to schedule your initial consultation today!