Feeling a little jumpy about your upcoming dental visit? It’s nothing to ashamed of. In fact, many people get a little nervous at the thought of trying to settle into the dental chair for something as simple as a checkup. For some people, no matter how many times they hear the word “relax” as the chair is going back, relaxation is one of those things that just isn’t going to happen. If you’re one of those people, you can well, relax because we have a two words for you: nitrous oxide.
Before nitrous oxide was used as a sedation technique, it was mostly used by the British elite and later others in the 1700’s and 1800’s as a party game. Why? Because nitrous oxide can make you feel very relaxed almost immediately. Under nitrous oxide, a person feels almost euphoric, with no after effects. In fact the effects wear off within minutes after the gas is removed. So, it was a quick way to liven up a party “back in the day.” It wasn’t until later in the 1800’s when a dentist decided to roll the dice and have one of his dental students remove one of his own decayed molars while he inhaled the gas, that people realized that nitrous oxide actually had some clinical value and was good for more than just fun and games in the parlor.
Nitrous oxide has been used in many dental practices, including Stonegate Dentistry for years. It is very safe when administered properly, and many dentist find it useful to help calm nervous patients of all ages, including children. The patient does not receive straight nitrous oxide. It is actually mixed with oxygen and delivered through a mask placed over the nose. If you opt for nitrous oxide to help you relax during your appointment, you will feel at ease in the dentists’ chair. Some people may feel giddy, but on most cases the you will just feel more comfortable and will likely lose your dental anxiety. In fact, you will still be able to talk our doctor, Dr. John F. Lann and his team if the need arises during your appointment. There are no needles involved in nitrous oxide, and you don’t have to do anything special to prepare the night before, and there is no downtime afterward. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately, and you can go back to work, or school and even drive yourself home when you are finished at our office.
Don’t let dental anxiety get between you and the dentist! If you have been putting off a dental appointment because of apprehension or even fear, don’t worry, we can help you through your appointment with nitrous oxide in Round Rock, Texas. If you need to schedule a visit with us, call 512-255-1025 today.