Inhalation is the most common and most popular method of patient relaxation used by dentists in the cabinet.

This type of sedation aims at relaxing the patient before and during dental procedures using a mixture of oxygen and respiratory nitrous oxide (respiratory gas). The equipment used includes a compressed gas device, a tube and a mask. The tube connects the device to the gas mask that is held by the patient on the face. The patient remains conscious, receptive, cooperative and deeply relaxed.

What is N20 (nitrous oxide)?

Nitrous oxide is a gas that combines oxygen with anxiety during dental treatment. Once inhaled, nitrous oxide induces a calming and relaxing effect.

Is dental inhalation safe?

Inhalation is the safest sedative used in dentistry and is recommended for both children and adults due to its rapid and totally non-toxic effects.

Each patient feels different effects of inhalation. As a rule, at the start of illiary gas administration a slight tingling sensation occurs in the arms and legs, followed by a feeling of well-being, elation, relaxation and detachment. The feeling of fear decreases quickly and the patient is quiet during dental treatment.

What are the benefits of inhalation?

The benefits for which inhalation is very much used are:

its effects are very rapid;
intensity and duration can be adjusted as needed;
is a mild and totally non-toxic method;
has no side effects;
improves patient-to-patient collaboration and results in better quality treatment;
gas is administered on respiratory as opposed to other methods of sedation;
the patient immediately relaxes;
is a very safe method;
the feeling of vomiting can be controlled;
effects disappear shortly after discontinuation, has no effect and the patient can leave the clinic alone.

Contraindications

There are no contraindications regarding inhalation, in general any patient may choose such a method. However, it is not indicated for patients experiencing a cold because they may not be able to breathe during the dental treatment. Also, in the case of pregnant women, it is advisable not to resort to inhalation to prevent it from having any effect on the fetus.

Most patients do not come to the dentist because of fear. Inhalation helps many to overcome this fear. It is a safe, effective and well-received method for patients.

The most beneficial influenced by the new treatment system are the children, whose agitation decreases, thus intervening more effectively on them.