Leaving the Light On: What to Expect Under Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Many dental patients have undergone nitrous oxide sedation. Commonly called “laughing gas,” it will quickly decrease awareness, reduce stress, slow reaction time, inhibit the gag reflex, and make a procedure much more comfortable. All these factors lead to a patient able to tolerate procedures that could otherwise cause much distress.

Unlike intravenous or general anesthesia, nitrous oxide is not meant to put patients to sleep or leave them unconscious. It is among the safest forms of sedation available and can be viable for patients with sensitivities to other forms of medical numbing.