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According to some studies, more than 60% of the U.S. population has some level of dental anxiety.
To begin, Dr. Leah Stroing or Dr. Megan White will meet with you to make sure that you’re a good candidate for sedation with laughing gas. Most people can be sedated safely. However, certain things like lung conditions could disqualify you from treatment, so it’s important to discuss your health history, medications, and more with our dentists.
Once you’re approved, you can be sedated during your appointment. Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will place a comfortable nose mask over your face. They will send a precise mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) through this mask. Just breathe in through your nose as directed.
With nitrous oxide, you’ll be fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. But you’ll feel a bit disconnected from what’s happening around you, and you’ll feel much less nervous and anxious. You may even find the situation funny, hence the term “laughing gas.”
Once your treatment is over, Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will adjust the machinery to send a stream of pure oxygen through the nose mask. This flushes out any remaining nitrous oxide, so you’ll feel normal within about five minutes.
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your treatment. However, we recommend avoiding eating a large meal within 1-2 hours of your appointment. A full stomach can make you more prone to nausea or even vomiting after nitrous oxide, and this is much less common after a light meal.
Beyond that, just dress comfortably and come to Stroing and White Dental a bit early so that we can check in with you and make sure you’re good to go for sedation during your consultation. That’s it!
You sure can! The great thing about nitrous oxide sedation is that its side effects are mild and usually wear off within minutes. That means you can drive to our office, and then drive home or even go back to work or school. Unlike deeper forms of sedation, you don’t have to spend hours recovering after your appointment.
Most dental insurance policies don’t cover sedation dentistry. However, there are some that do. We recommend consulting directly with your insurer and your policy to check your coverage. Even if your insurance doesn’t cover sedation, nitrous oxide sedation at Stroing and White Dental is affordable and is a great way to get peace of mind during your consultation.
Laughing gas is safe, effective, and has been used in dentistry since the late 19th century.
Monday: 8am-5pm
Tuesday: 8am-5pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 8am-5pm
Friday (1x/mo): 8am-12pm
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