Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation Sedation (relative analgesia) may help nervous patients cope with dental treatment and reduce their anxiety. It is an ideal solution for anxious patients who haven’t experienced treatment before to give them a good first experience, or patients who feel that certain dental treatments push them out of their comfort zone – whether that be fillings or extractions.
Inhalation sedation is commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ and is a mixture of gases – Nitrous Oxide & oxygen, which relax the patient enough to remain calm and cooperative during treatment. Inhalation sedation can also be very useful in treating patients with gag reflex problems.
What is Inhalation Sedation?
Inhalation Sedation (also known as relative analgesia or ‘happy air’) helps reduce anxiety around dental procedures. It is an ideal solution for anxious patients who haven’t experienced treatment before to give them a good first experience, or patients who feel that certain dental treatments push them out of their comfort zone e.g. fillings, extractions.
It involves wearing a soft cushioned nose mask and breathing a mixture of gases – nitrous oxide & oxygen. After a few minutes the patient will start to feel more relaxed, calm and confident, allowing the dentist to carry out their treatment. Pleasant side effects include feeling warm, tingly or gentle floating sensations.
After treatment the air is quickly fully released from the lungs and the patient feels back to normal. Some patients may feel a little tired for the rest of the day.
Who can Inhalation Sedation help?
Inhalation sedation is suitable for both children and adults and you will be told more about it at your consultation appointment. Inhalation sedation/ ‘happy air’ can help patients who are dentally anxious, prevent dental anxiety and sometimes even help those with a gag reflex.
It is not suitable for children with high levels of anxiety who are too scared to sit in the chair or cooperate to wear the nasal mask. For these children other options such as general anaesthesia may be more appropriate as they will be fully unconscious. This would require an onward referral to hospital.
Other alternatives include treatment without sedation or treatment under intravenous sedation (over 12 years only).
Is Local Anaesthetic needed?
Although local anaesthetic (LA) is still necessary, inhalation sedation has a mild analgesic effect so reduces the sensation of receiving LA. Your dentist will also use a topical anaesthetic gel on the gum prior to administering LA to ensure you are comfortable.
For anxious patients we are also pleased to offer ‘The Wand®’, a digital pain-free method of administering anaesthetic.
Preparing for the appointment
The patient should eat a light meal a few hours before the appointment. Please feel free to bring whatever will make you feel most comfortable e.g. blanket, headphones for music, cuddly toy, comfortable clothing.
As the air is breathed through your nose please reschedule your appointment if your nose is blocked.
For children please ensure it is a parent who brings them to their appointment. Please do not bring any siblings/ friends as these may distract from the calm environment! Please let the dentist know if you/ your escort is pregnant.
After the appointment
Your dentist will stay with you until you are fully recovered. Some people feel tired, clumsy or a little forgetful. We ask you avoid sports swimming, cycling, running or gym sessions for the rest of the day. It is advised that you avoid driving for the rest of the day.
Risks and Benefits
‘’Happy air’’ sedation is very safe and effective. However it relies on team work from the patient so very young children or very anxious patients may not be suitable for treatment.
There are no lasting side effects, sometimes it may cause dizziness or light headed-ness. This is simple to reverse by giving pure oxygen, and everyone will be given pure oxygen to finish the appointment.