Inhalation and Oral Sedation at Dr. Sajan’s Victoria BC Dental Clinic

Whether a patient has special needs, is afraid of the dentist or is simply too active to sit still through dental treatment, nitrous gas sedation and/or minimal oral sedation are helpful tools for getting anxious dental patients to relax and cooperate, while still allowing them to maintain a state of awareness.

Inhalation Sedation

Inhalation Sedation is a type of dental analgesia used by dentists worldwide. Also known as ‘laughing gas,’ it is highly effective in giving highly anxious patients a sense of euphoria during their dental experiences. It is a colourless gas that gives off a ‘sweet’ scent. It is administered throughout procedures under the oversight and care of a licensed dentist.

Did you know…

The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry formally recognizes inhalation sedation as a safe means of administering analgesia to children. It relaxes the central nervous system while causing little effect on respiratory patterns. In fact, the AAPD actually recommends nitrous gas for reducing dental anxiety in pediatric patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I ask my dentist to administer nitrous gas during my next visit?

If you fear the dentist or have extensive dental treatment needs, nitrous analgesia may be a topic you should explore with your dentist.

What should I expect when I am sedated with nitrous?

You will be asked to breathe in a mixture of nitrous gas and oxygen from a mask at the beginning of your appointment. The amount of gas administered will be monitored and adjusted throughout treatment to help you relax while staying completely alert and responsive. Nitrous often makes people feel warm, lightheaded, or even ‘giggly.’ It also has mild pain-relieving properties. At the end of the inhalation sedation treatment, oxygen is administered to help alleviate the effects of the gas in your system and return you to a natural state of awareness. If you feel uncomfortable with the nitrous oxide sedation at any point during the appointment, you can breathe through your mouth instead of the nitrous mask to control the level of sedation you are feeling.

Will I follow any special instructions when caring for myself following inhalation sedation?

No. Nitrous gas will naturally leave your body within five minutes of stopping the gas flow. Once you are deemed fit, you can leave our dental clinic in Victoria BC under your own care.

Minimal Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is another type of dental analgesia used by dentists worldwide. Oral sedatives are highly effective for giving highly anxious patients a sense of euphoria and relaxation during their dental experiences. Oral sedatives are administered before a dental appointment, under the oversight and care of a licensed dentist. Patients must fill out an updated medical history immediately before receiving oral sedation. Oral sedatives cannot be used on someone who is under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Pregnant women are also not candidates for oral sedatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I consider oral sedation for my next visit?

If you fear the dentist or have extensive dental treatment needs, minimal oral sedation may be a topic you should explore with your dentist.

What should I expect when I am sedated?

You will be asked to take an oral sedative at the beginning of your appointment. The amount of drug administered will be set to help you relax while staying completely alert and responsive. Oral sedation makes people feel warm, lightheaded, or even tired. It also has mild pain-relieving properties. At the end of the minimal oral sedation treatment, you will need to be driven home by a responsible adult and monitored for 24 hours.

Will I need to follow any special instructions when caring for myself following minimal oral sedation?

Yes. Once you leave our dental clinic in Victoria BC, you should not drive, operate dangerous equipment, or make major life decisions for the first 24 hours. A responsible adult should monitor you for 24 hours. It would be best if you were assisted while walking or taking stairs. Continue to take any medications and eat as you would normally do so. We will not allow you to go home without a responsible adult present to take you home. This is for your own safety.