Nitrous oxide is so widely used in dentistry because it can effectively keep a patient comfortable during a procedure with minimal side effects. While general anesthesia or intravenous sedation will put you to sleep or make you lose consciousness, nitrous oxide will simply ease your anxiety, raise your pain threshold, and decrease your gag reflex. This allows a patient to remain conscious, cooperate with the dentist, and then drive home when the procedure is over. Here’s what you can expect while under nitrous oxide sedation.
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