Sedation Dentistry in Allentown, PA

Nitrous oxide, most commonly known as laughing gas, is one of the safest sedatives in dentistry. It helps our patients overcome their fear of the dentist by ensuring they are calm and relaxed during dental procedures at our Allentown, PA, dental office.

First, we place a small, comfortable nasal hood that fits over your nose like a mask. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and delivered through the hood, so all you need to do is relax and breathe normally. We administer oxygen at 100 percent for a few minutes, and then nitrous oxide will be increased gradually.

You might feel tingling in your arms and legs or get light-headed. You will remain conscious and be able to respond to all questions asked. Once you are calm and relaxed, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic, but you won’t mind it. You will be comfortable during the entire procedure.

After we finish your procedure, we will gradually decrease the nitrous oxide, and then you will remain on 100 percent oxygen for a few minutes. You won’t experience any drowsy side effects, so you can drive safely home from your appointment or return to your usual daily schedule.

Do you think nitrous oxide could help you relax during your next appointment at our Allentown, PA, dental office? Please let us know so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

If you experience dental anxiety, please don’t think there’s something wrong with you or that you’re alone. Dental anxiety is a real and profound problem for millions of people around the world. Some people get butterflies thinking about dental visits, while others experience full-blown panic and anxiety. Whichever end of the spectrum you’re at with your dental anxiety, know there’s nothing wrong with you.

There are about as many reasons for dental anxiety as there are people who experience it, and sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide in Allentown, PA, is right for you if you:

• Experience high anxiety or dental fear
• Hate getting injections
• Have trouble getting numb
• Don’t want to feel any pain
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have sensitive teeth
• Don't like the smells or sounds of a dental office
• Want to go to sleep during their procedure
• Require extensive dental work during one appointment
• Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
• Have TMJ troubles and cannot open your mouth for extended periods

If any of these sound familiar, you are probably one of the many people who can benefit from safe, comfortable nitrous oxide sedation. Call Evolve Dental Care to schedule your next dental appointment and be ready for a more comfortable and relaxing experience with the dentist than you ever thought possible.

Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for over a century and is a safe sedation method. It’s so safe and mild that we often use it for children over age three who have trouble sitting still or need multiple procedures performed during a single appointment.

Aside from deep relaxation, our busy patients appreciate that the effects of nitrous oxide quickly dissipate after we stop administering it. Since nitrous leaves your system quickly and produces no drowsy side effects, you can drive yourself safely to and from your appointment.

At Evolve Dental Care, we've helped hundreds of patients relax while we deliver the essential care they need to maintain excellent oral health. Call our Allentown, PA, dental office to schedule an appointment to see if nitrous oxide is right for you.

Who Shouldn’t Have Nitrous Oxide Sedation?

While nitrous oxide is perfectly safe in the majority of cases, it is contraindicated for use during pregnancy and when the following conditions are present:

• COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Respiratory tract infection
• Middle ear infection
• Nasal obstruction due to cold or tonsil enlargement
• Psychiatric or psychological conditions

Dr. Amir Mojahed is trained to safely administer nitrous oxide sedation. If you have any of the above conditions or questions about whether nitrous is appropriate, please call our Allentown, PA, dental office to get the answers you need.

In the majority of cases, yes. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is exceptionally mild and gentle, and we commonly use it for children aged four and older. We will fit a small mask over their nose and ask them to breathe normally.

Your son or daughter will not feel overly drowsy—simply relaxed, happy, and comfortable. Your child will be able to understand and respond to instructions and questions, and while his or her arms and legs may feel heavy, they won’t have any problem moving. The effects of nitrous oxide sedation go away shortly after we remove the mask, and in no time at all your child will feel back to normal.

Nitrous oxide works because it eases your child’s fearful or anxious feelings about the procedure and having to sit in the dental chair for long periods. If your child is very anxious or has had a negative dental experience in the past, our Allentown, PA dentists, we can even use nitrous oxide for simple cleanings.

Do you think your son or daughter could benefit from the calming effects of nitrous oxide sedation at their next appointment? Please call Evolve Dental Care and let us know so we can make the appropriate arrangements.

Do I Have to Fast Before Nitrous Oxide Sedation?

In most cases, there are no preparation or special instructions with nitrous oxide sedation. There are virtually no side effects with nitrous; however, some patients may experience nausea during their procedure.

Our Allentown dentist wants you to be entirely comfortable during your procedure. If you’re getting nitrous for the first time, we recommend sticking to a light diet two or three hours before your procedure until you know how you will react.