Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable, breathable gas used as a safe and effective sedative in medicine and dentistry. Nitrous Oxide causes a sense of euphoria and relaxation. First used in 1772 to relieve a tooth ache, it is fast-acting and helps patients feel more comfortable and experience less pain during medical procedures.

Yes, nitrous oxide has been commonly used since the 1800’s and has the best safety record of any sedative agent when used alone (not in combination with other sedatives). Many people forgo or delay much needed medical care due to anxiety, history of trauma, and/or fear of pain. Nitrous oxide can help relieve this anxiety and pain to make medical diagnoses and treatments more comfortable and accessible. Nitrous oxide sedation has minimal impact on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and is even deemed safe for individuals with asthma, COPD, or heart disease. One of its most significant advantages is its rapid onset and offset — it takes effect quickly and leaves the system rapidly, allowing patients to resume their daily activities immediately.

Anyone who is anxious or nervous about an exam or procedure can benefit from sedation with nitrous oxide.

The sedative effect varies between individuals. One of the benefits of the Nitrouseal system is that it is self-administered by the patient, so the amount of nitrous oxide delivered is completely customized. Most patients appreciate the calming and pain-relieving effects so much, that they will not go back to having a procedure done without nitrous oxide sedation.

As a patient-administered, customized solution, the effects vary based on the concentration of nitrous oxide gas and the length of time it is used. One of the benefits of nitrous oxide sedation is that the patient remains in complete control, you will have the ability to respond purposefully to verbal commands either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. Typically, patients report four phases of sensation:
Phase 1: you may start to feel a tingling sensation in your ams and legs similar to the feeling of them “falling asleep.” This can occur within 30 seconds.
Phase 2: next, you may feel a rush of comforting and encompassing warmth.
Phase 3: a feeling of calm, well-being, or happiness overcomes you.
Phase 4: in this stage, you may find yourself feeling sleepy or it may be difficult to keep your eyes open.
When the nitrous oxide gas is discontinued, it quickly exits the body, allowing patients to drive themselves home from their procedure without any lasting sedative effects.

Nitrous oxide, along with oxygen, is inhaled through a facemask. Each patient is given their own disposable mask and tubing. The nitrous oxide is then self-administered by the patient holding the facemask in place. You will be given instructions on how to hold and use the facemask prior to beginning.

Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, sweating, or light-headedness.

Nitrous oxide tends to have a paradoxical effect- used in proper doses it provides a sense of calm and relaxation, but in higher doses, some patients report increased anxiety and a sense of “falling out of the chair.” Other systems on the market deliver a standardized level of nitrous oxide gas, which may be too high a dose for certain individuals, leading them to feel anxious and unsettled. One of the distinguishing features of the Nitrouseal system is its adjustable digital flow meter, which allows our staff to customize nitrous oxide levels to individual patient needs, helping to ensure the proper dose for each person.

• Patients in their 1st trimester of pregnancy
• Patients with the following medical conditions: recent (within 2 weeks) inner ear or eye surgery, emphysematous blebs, and severe vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Patients who’ve undergone chemotherapy with Bleomycin within the past year