Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is a naturally occuring component of our atmosphere. Along with carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, and a few other gasses, nitrous oxide helps make up the air we breathe and has been used in dentistry since the mid 1880's.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Rapid onset 3-5 minutes
• Extremely safe with rapid elimination in 5-10 minutes with no metabolism in the liver or kidneys
• Produces analgesia (pain relief)
• Produces anxiolysis (reduces anxiety and fear)
• Helps reduce the gag reflex
• Nitrous hood helps block the dental smells and shields the patient’s ability to see the tools going into his/her mouth

Patients receiving nitrous oxide/oxygen should avoid eating for at least 2 hours before administration