Inhalation Sedation

Inhalation sedation means that the sedation is given as a gas. Anxiety is reduced by breathing nitrous oxide with oxygen. It can be given to adults and children with dental anxiety or dental phobia to help them cope with dental treatment.

It is usual to have two appointments. The first appointment will be for an assessment when your dental treatment under sedation will be planned and discussed with you. The dental treatment under sedation will take place at the second and subsequent appointments. Both appointments will be at our practice in Coggeshall, Essex.

As you receive the gas via a nosepiece, you may get a feeling of warmth throughout your body as well as some mild tingling and light-headedness. You will stay awake and in control of all your reflexes, such as coughing.

You are unlikely to have any side effects, such as feeling sick or headache.

It is not always necessary to have someone with you following this type of simple inhalation sedation, and recovery is very quick (within a few minutes).

It can help people to begin to overcome their dental anxiety, as unlike intravenous (into the vein) sedation with midazolam, there is no memory loss, so positive experiences can be formed.

Nitrous oxide provides some pain relief, as well as relaxation.

Inhalation sedation is very safe and can be given to most children and adults. All that is required is the ability to breathe through your nose and to cooperate with simple instructions.

There are very few reasons that someone may not be able to have this type of sedation, these include:

-certain medication conditions (severe or uncontrolled COPD, B12 deficiency, pulmonary hypertension, anyone who may have a potential air space in their body - for example, recent vitreoretinol surgery, middle ear surgery or blockage, pneumothorax, bowel obstruction).

-it may not be possible to provide this sedation for people who are pregnant

-someone who is unable to breathe through their nose

-a child or adult who is unable to cooperate and follow simple instructions, for example, very young children.

Assessment appointment: £70 (including xrays if required)

Inhalation sedation: £185 per hour + treatment