Many patients are somewhat apprehensive about dental treatment. If that is true of you, you might be thinking about asking your dentist whether sedation is right for you. And if sedation is right for you, which type of sedation would best fit your circumstances? In this blog post, we compare two popular sedation options: oral vs nitrous oxide.
What Are They? How Do They Work?
Oral conscious sedation involves the use of a pill.You take the medication shortly before your dental appointment, and it produces a calm, relaxed sensation. You will remain alert enough to respond to directions and questions from your dentist. If you drift off to sleep, it should be easy to awaken you with a gentle shake.
Nitrous oxide is a clear gas that is administered through a nasal mask. As soon as you breathe it in, it produces a relaxed feeling. You might also feel a bit giddy, which is why nitrous oxide is otherwise known as “laughing gas.”
Advantages of Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation comes with some unique advantages:
- It is more powerful than nitrous oxide. It is therefore the preferred form of sedation for many types of major procedures, such as wisdom tooth removal or root canal therapy.
- It often produces short-term memory loss. Many patients like that they are not able to remember their time in the dentist’s operatory.
- No masks or needles are necessary to administer it.
Advantages of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide also provides some wonderful benefits:
- Its effects wear off quickly. Therefore, patients are able to drive themselves home after their appointment.
- The dentist can adjust the flow of nitrous oxide during the procedure to make the sedation lighter or heavier.
- It is safe for most patients, and the side effects are usually quite mild. If you do experience side effects, they should wear off within a day or two of your treatment.
Which Is Right for Me?
The type of sedation that is right for you will depend on a few factors. If you are getting major dental treatment, oral conscious sedation may be better for you. If you just want something to help you relax while you receive a filling or a cleaning, you might want to request nitrous oxide instead. Your dentist will recommend the type of sedation that is generally best for the type of procedure you are undergoing.
Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are effective means of relaxation during dental treatment. Your dentist is the best person to hep you decide which one is better for your unique circumstances.
About the Author
Dr. Kevin T. O’Brien is one of the leaders of the team at New Haven Dental Group in Hamden. Since he earned his DMD from The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, he has been in practice for over 35 years. He and our team offer multiple types of sedation, including both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. To learn more about Dr. O’Brien or about how we can help you relax during your next dental appointment, contact us at 203-288-8221.