Our Services

It's No Laughing Matter Or Is It?

Throughout the years, dentists have heard from their patients, "Don't take this personally, but, I'd prefer not be sitting here." Or, "I'd rather give birth, than go to the dentist." Dental visits, or just thinking of those visits, can be anxiety producing for some individuals.

The good news is that dentistry has a tried and true option which has been used safely for over 100 years. It goes by many names, such as nitrous oxide, sweet air and laughing gas. The bottom line is that this sweet smelling blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen can reduce anxiety, minimize an overactive gag response, elevate your pain threshold, and help make dental visits more calm, comfortable and pleasant.

Nitrous oxide is non-addictive, predictable and reliable. It is one of safest sedatives in dentistry. During the treatment, you remain fully conscious and have all your natural reflexes. Both children and adults can be treated with it. To ensure safety, we include a modern technologic enhancement. Monitors are hooked up to measure the rate of respiration and the level of oxygenation in the blood. Nitrous oxide can be used for implant dentistry, porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures, including Invisalign and teeth whitening and tooth bleaching.

One quickly recovers within 2-10 minutes after the gases are turned off. Unlike other relaxation methods, it is safe to drive and return to your normal activities after the visit.

Nitrous oxide is really a mixture of two gases, nitrous oxide and oxygen. The mixture is administered through a "mask", or nosepiece, that fits on your nose. The amount of gas you receive is adjusted to satisfy your personal needs for comfort. A euphoric effect is sometimes produced that may also be accompanied by a tingling in the hands or feet. Some report feeling giddy - thus the name laughing gas. To paraphrase the most common response by a nitrous oxide recipient "I'm aware of what is happening, but it doesn't bother me."

Contraindications to the use of nitrous oxide are pregnancy, feeling uncomfortable with something around your nose, or respiratory conditions that makes breathing through the nose difficult. Please refrain from eating for about 2 hours before you are scheduled for treatment. Nitrous oxide can be a good choice for patients with certain heart problems, because it reduces tension and can provide 2-3 times more oxygen than breathing normal air.

Nitrous oxide will not numb teeth. Dentists use it in combination with a local dental anesthetic or a maximum strength topical anesthetic. However, after being placed on nitrous oxide for several minutes, it is not uncommon for a patient to tell us afterwards, "I hardly felt anything, even the injection."

Nitrous oxide can be used in conjunction with some oral medications to help relieve anxiolysis (high anxiety), too.

Call our office to find out how nitrous oxide can be used to dramatically help you.

Elliot Davis, DDS
80 5th Ave. Suite #1607
New York, NY 10011
(212) 645-9255
TheManhattanDentist@gmail.com

http://www.themanhattandentist.com