Take the edge off with nitrous oxide

Relax, and Take the Edge Off

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is used in dentistry as an adjunct to anesthesia.  It is a gas you can breathe through a mask, colorless, with a slight smell, and works quickly and leaves the body just as quickly.  It is not an anesthetic--it is an analgesic, because it raises your pain threshold in addition to creating relaxation or a pleasurable feeling.  The device in our office is a fail-safe device, allowing a gas mixture that is always at lease 70% oxygen. It is very safe and has no ill effects on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys or brain. Usually nitrous oxide delivery is titrated--gradually increased until a comfortable level is reached, so that oversedation is not a problem. It can be just enough to "take the edge off " and make your dental experience more manageable.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)