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{"id":184,"date":"2021-05-01T10:04:41","date_gmt":"2021-05-01T10:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/invislondon.co.uk\/?p=184"},"modified":"2022-06-11T16:02:20","modified_gmt":"2022-06-11T16:02:20","slug":"nitrous-oxide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/invislondon.co.uk\/dentistry\/nitrous-oxide\/","title":{"rendered":"Nitrous Oxide (N2O) or Laughing Gas"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
Home<\/a><\/span> \u00bb Dentistry<\/a><\/span> \u00bb Nitrous Oxide (N2O) or Laughing Gas<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is N2O?<\/a> | How N2O works?<\/a> | Pros<\/a> | Cons<\/a> | Use in Dentistry<\/a> | Side effects<\/a> | Safety<\/a> | Conclusion<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Does visiting a dental clinic make you tense or seeing dental tools trigger <\/span>anxiety? You are not alone who feel mental resistance, as there are a lot of people who avoid visiting a dentist until the pain becomes unbearable<\/a>. Unfortunately, one cannot avoid visiting a dentist forever, so dentists use a suitable sedative to deal with patients\u2019 anxiety. Whether it is simple teeth cleaning<\/a> or a delicate invasive procedure<\/a>, your dentist will use FDA approved sedative to manage anxiety and pain. Nitrous oxide is among the most popular dental anesthesia in use since the mid-1800s. Popular as \u201claughing gas\u201d, \u201cconscious sedative\u201d or \u201crelative analgesia\u201d, N20 is known for causing central nervous system depression and euphoria, without affecting the respiratory system. Out of total sedation used in dental practices, over 70% use nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, so it is relatively safe<\/a> if administered as per prescribed guidelines by professionals.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is Nitrous Oxide?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nitrous Oxide (N2O<\/a>), a colorless inorganic gas with a pleasant sweetish odor and taste, is the most widely used gaseous anesthetic to produce insensibility to pain and a sense of euphoria, sometimes laughter. This analgesic \/ anxiolytic agent depresses the central nervous system, thus the patient feels calm and relaxed. Popular as \u201claughing gas\u201d, N2O works fast and the sedative effect wears off easily. Dentists use the nitrous oxide-oxygen gas combination to eliminate the pain<\/a> and anxiety of patients in the conscious state so that s\/he could respond to verbal commands, normally. It is good for children as nitrous oxide will keep them relaxed and stable while the dentist is performing a dental procedure. It is safe, but just like any other drug side-effect may occur if administration and recovery guidelines are not followed properly.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It is known commonly as \u201claughing gas\u201d, and this is because of the way it plays with the central nervous system to create a sense of euphoria. Nitrous oxide, first synthesized in 1772 but in use as medical anesthesia since 1844, is administered through the nasal hood. Depending on the severity of anxiety, your doctor will change the proportion of nitrous oxide and oxygen to get the desired strength of sedation. Following the first inhalation, it takes just 20 seconds to reach the brain and another 2-3 minutes to show the pain inhibiting effect.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nitrous oxide does not combine with hemoglobin and is transported in the blood as free gas. Since it does not undergo biotransformation, the onset time of this agent is the fastest among inhalation sedatives. The low solubility of nitrous oxide gas in blood and adipose tissue allows speedy exhalation, meaning quicker normalization.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How nitrous oxide functions in the human body is not exactly known. Scientists believe that nitrous oxide works through regulated ligand-gated ion channels in the body, thus affecting how neurotransmitters send pain signals across the body.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Following administration of nitrous oxide, GABAA receptors block neurotransmitters, triggering an anti-anxiety effect. Studies show that once nitrous oxide reaches the brain it triggers the release of norepinephrine, thus inhibiting the spread of pain<\/a> signals. The sense of euphoria among patients suggests that nitrous oxide affects dopamine release as well.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Depending on the amount of gas inhaled, the reaction of light-headedness, warmness, euphoria, and sleepiness could vary. Although rare, some patients report feeling of vibration or floating sensation and mild dizziness. If feeling uncomfortable, inform your doctor as he could control it by decreasing the nitrous oxide flow and increasing the oxygen flow.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Following completion of the dental procedure, your doctor will turn off the valve of nitrous oxide and continue the oxygen flow. It will slowly eliminate the nitrous oxide from the body from the lungs and airways. Most patients return to their normal state in a few minutes, but one should consult their doctor before starting to eat and driving. Nitrous oxide can affect appetite and motor skills temporarily, so it is better to feel confident first than start driving.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nitrous oxide irreversibly oxidizes vitamin B12, thus reducing the effectiveness of B12-dependent enzymes. So, if you are on certain medication related to infertility, abortion, or neurological ailments you should inform the anesthesia specialist to avoid any complication.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Pros<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n