Nitrous Oxide/Anxiety-Reducing Medication

Dental Anxiety Treatments in Pullman, WA

Nitrous oxide has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years.

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective agent for those patients who are moderately anxious in the dental or hygiene chair.

It involves the application of a safe mixture of both oxygen and nitrous gas through an aseptic nose piece.

The patient is able to breathe on their own and remains in control of all bodily functions including swallowing, breathing, and talking.

The patient may experience mild amnesia and may actually fall asleep, not remembering all of what happened during their appointment.

We never leave patients unattended while on nitrous oxide.

For those younger than 18 years of age, we require that an adult companion waits in the receiving room for the patient to complete the appointment.

We also offer nitrous oxide to those hygiene patients who request it as long as Dr. Torrey is in the office that day. Nitrous oxide is not a typically covered dental benefit and there is a modest charge for its use.

Here are many advantages to using nitrous oxide

• The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to rapidly increase or decrease the level of sedation.
• There are no long-term after-effects.
• Nitrous oxide has the positive side-effect of lowering blood pressure making it a nice adjunct for people with minimally increased blood pressure
• Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
• It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as two to three minutes its relaxation and analgesic properties develop.