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What is Inhaled Minimal Sedation?

Posted on 4/10/2023 by Dr. Dani Stansell

It is well understood that dental phobia, anxiety, and hypersensitivity to pain in children can impede or even prevent them from receiving effective dental care. Dental cavities have also been linked to pain intolerance, dental phobia, and anxiety. Untreated dental caries can be caused by a fear of the dentist or behavioral issues.

As a result, discussing sedation options with the dentist is an important step in the dental treatment process. Inhalation sedation is one of the most common and easiest to administer.

What is Inhaled Sedation?

In inhaled sedation, gases are breathed into the lungs and then transported to the heart and vascular system to induce sedation via inhalation. In the dental industry, inhalation anesthetics such as laughing gas are commonly used. Comprising of nitrous oxide and oxygen, laughing gas has a long history of being used safely and effectively for the conscious sedation of fearful patients. Although laughing gas has a mild analgesic effect, it is not intended to replace local anesthetics.

Advantages of Inhaled Minimal Sedation

Laughing gas inhalants travel from a high-pressure to a low-pressure system. Since nitrous oxide has a short half-life in the body and is relatively insoluble, it can reach its target site quickly and exert its full therapeutic effect. Due to the same property, the drug is quickly eliminated from the body once the pressure gradient is reversed.

It is a good option for people who are anxious because they are afraid of needles. After all, there is no need for an injection. Some dental procedures such as cleanings and fillings can be performed without the use of local anesthesia by using laughing gas alone.

Finally, when used properly, nitrous oxide and oxygen have a little negative impact. It is the ease of use and the advantages of nitrous oxide that makes the sedative particularly advantageous to administer to patients.

Contact us to learn what sedation dentistry is and the options you can get from our dental office.

Locations & Hours

Brier Creek

9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204
Raleigh, NC 27617-4879

Phone: 984-477-0177
Fax: 919-249-1375

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

North Raleigh

1911 Falls Valley Drive, Ste 107
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 984-206-4242
Fax: 919-249-2145

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Knightdale

1101 Great Falls Ct, Ste 102
Knightdale, NC 27545

Phone: 984-733-0330
Fax: 919-415-1849

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Stansell Dentistry Associates, 9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204, Raleigh, NC 27617-4879 - 984-477-0177 - stanselldentistry.com - 9/16/2024 - Tags: dentist Raleigh NC -