Once referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide or conscious sedation, is a safe, effective aid in reducing anxiety associated with your dental visit. Lets face it, not everyone is ready to hop into the chair, get numb, and go! That’s why we have offered nitrous to our patients for over twenty years. Nitrous is actually a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen which is titrated for each individual to create a warm feeling of well-being and relaxation. It is delivered through a light mask that fits over the nose. A vacuum tube attached to the outside of the mask sucks away the left over gases. A special fail-safe machine with built-in safety features prevents the patient from becoming “oversedated.” A huge advantage of nitrous oxide is that it is eliminated from the body 3 to 5 minutes from the time it is discontinued. This means that you can drive home, and you don’t need an escort. It can also be an excellent adjunct in treating a fearful child.