PATIENTS WITH ANXIETY

     Dr. Green offers patients who suffer from severe Dental anxiety a solution of Nitrous Oxide. He has a license in Dental Anesthesia and utilizes the Nitrous Oxide in patients, who schedule for it, to have Dental Procedures performed in the office.

     Dr. Green is on the staff of Washington Health Systems and will treat patients in the Hospital, if they are put to sleep, for the procedure, but the patients are awake when they are treated in the office with Nitrous Oxide.

     Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas, is a form of conscious sedation which is inhaled using a fitted nose mask. Nitrous Oxide has been used for over 150 years and is safe for adults and children. The gas is non-irritating, non-allergic, and is odorless.

     So many people suffer from Dental Anxiety that they let their oral health deteriorate. When the problem becomes so bad, they end up needing to have more things done, which increases the anxiety. Sometimes people have a gag reflex and this deters them from coming into the office for treatment. Nitrous Oxide sedation will make things so much easier for these patients.

     The Medical-grade gas of Nitrous Oxide acts almost immediately to make the patient feel as they are in a euphoric state thus reducing the sensation of anxiety and pain. The patients breathe normally through a mask and as the Nitrous Oxide takes effect the person feels slightly light headed or tingling. There is no discomfort with the gas, and many say they felt like they were floating or felt a euphoria or well-being feeling. After the procedure is over the patient just breathes normally for the effect to wear off.

This sedation is safe and allows the patients to feel calm, cool, and collected during the procedures. Though this does not put the patient to sleep, they are relaxed during the procedure being done. Patients will not feel fear or anxiety during the procedure and are able to respond to requests made by the dentist while feeling comfortable. It’s effects wear off rather rapidly compared to other sedation methods.

     Patients are warned that it is a drug so even though the patients feel normal after the drug has been administered, they are still effected by it’s properties. An example is that reaction time may be delayed, and patients are therefore requested not to drive or operate heavy machinery after having Nitrous Oxide, even though they feel fine and normal. We ask that patients planning Nitrous Oxide bring someone with them to drive afterward.

     Nitrous Oxide is usually not covered by Dental Insurance. This office charges by the half hour for usage.