Toggle navigation
Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
4700 White Bear Parkway White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-762-7677
  • blog
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Our Staff
  • Our Office
  • Patient Reviews
  • Our Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • more
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental Implants
    • Educational Videos 1
    • Emergency Dentist
    • Smile Gallery
    • Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
    • Invisalign
    • Nitrous Oxide 1
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening 1

Nitrous Oxide

Dental patient relaxing.Some people fail to receive the benefits of modern dental treatment because of a simple yet seemingly overwhelming problem: Fear. It isn't uncommon to have a little anxiety about an upcoming dental procedure. But if your fears have kept you away from the dental office when you know you really should go — take heart! Conscious sedation with nitrous oxide can help you lose that anxiety, and make the whole experience so stress-free that you may not even remember it when it's over.

Nitrous oxide, a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor, has been used in medicine for about a century; however its outdated nickname, “laughing gas,” is undeserved. It's a safe and effective method of administering conscious sedation — which means that you'll stay awake during the procedure. But when nitrous oxide is used in combination with a local anesthetic, you won't feel pain or anxiety. In fact, many patients report a feeling of well-being during this type of sedation. All bodily functions remain normal during the administration of nitrous oxide, and its effects wear off quickly afterwards.

How Is Nitrous Oxide Administered?

Nitrous Oxide.As a form of conscious sedation, nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask that fits comfortably over your nose. The gas is mixed with oxygen as it is being delivered, and both gases are always kept at a level that is safe for the body. In just a few minutes, you may start to experience a floating sensation, and perhaps some tingling in the hands and feet. That's a sign that the sedation is working. Once it has been verified that you're calm and comfortable, and that the dose is correct, your dental procedure can begin.

Nitrous oxide itself isn't a substitute for a local anesthetic — it's considered an anxiolytic, which means it makes anxiety disappear. For some procedures, you may still need an anesthetic injection. The difference is, you won't mind. Yet, you won't be asleep — you'll be able to speak, be aware of what's going on, and you will remain in control during the procedure. In fact, the dose can be fine-tuned to just the level of sedation you need.

When the procedure is over, the flow of nitrous oxide is decreased to zero, and the oxygen may be increased. After resting in the chair for a few minutes, you'll be able to sit up, and soon you can resume normal activities like driving. Although the experience has been compared to “having a couple of drinks,” there is very little “hangover” effect afterward.

Who Can Benefit From Nitrous Oxide?

Most people whose anxiety would otherwise keep them out of the dental chair can benefit from conscious sedation with nitrous oxide. Before beginning treatment, we will take a complete medical history, including your use of both prescription and non-prescription medications. If you are pregnant, have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or some other pulmonary diseases, or are taking certain drugs, it may not be right for you. However, if you feel that you would benefit from a more stress-free experience in the dental office, ask about nitrous oxide conscious sedation.

 

Patient Education

 
Patient Education Menu
  • Educational Videos
  • Cosmetic & General Dentistry
    • Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
    • Crowns & Bridgework
    • Fillings
    • Gummy Smiles
    • Inlays & Onlays
    • Mouthguards for Adults
    • Mouthguards for Children
    • Nitrous Oxide
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Removable Dentures
    • Smile Makeover
    • Snoring & Sleep Apnea
    • Teeth Whitening
    • TMD
    • Tooth-Colored Fillings
    • Tooth Contouring & Reshaping
    • Tooth Decay Prevention
    • Tooth Wear
  • Emergency Care
    • Gum Injuries
    • Orthodontic Emergencies
    • Tooth Pain
    • Traumatic Dental Injuries
  • Endodontics
    • Combined Root Canal & Gum Problems
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Root Canal Retreatment
    • Root Canal Surgery (Apicoectomy)
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Root Canal Treatment FAQs
    • Root Canal Treatment for Children
    • Tooth Sensitivity
    • Whitening Traumatized Teeth
  • Implant Dentistry
    • Bone Grafting
    • Dental Implants FAQs
    • Fixed Dentures
    • Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth
    • Top Reasons to Choose Dental Implants
  • Oral Health
    • Aging & Dental Health
    • Antibiotic Premedicationfor Dental Treatments
    • Bad Breath
    • Blood Pressure Medications & Your Gums
    • Diabetes & Oral Health
    • Dry Mouth
    • Eating Disorders & Oral Health
    • Fluoride
    • Geographic Tongue
    • Missing Teeth
    • Nutrition & Oral Health
    • Oral Cancer
    • Oral Piercings
    • Osteoporosis & Oral Health
    • Pregnancy, Hormones & Oral Health
    • Preventive Dentistry
    • Professional Teeth Cleanings
    • Stress & Oral Habits
  • Oral Hygiene
    • How To Brush
    • How To Floss
    • Interdental Cleaning Devices
    • Mouthrinses
    • Oral Hygiene for Kids
    • Tips to Prevent Cavities
    • Toothpaste
  • Oral Surgery
    • Blood Thinners & Dental Procedures
    • Bone Grafting
    • Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
    • Corrective Jaw (Orthognathic) Surgery
    • Extractions
    • Facial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Headaches & Migraines
    • Oral Cancer Screening
    • Oral Diagnosis and Biopsies
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Sinus Surgery
    • Wisdom Teeth
  • Orthodontics
    • Early Orthodontic Treatment
    • Invisalign for Adults
    • Invisalign for Teens
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Age One Dental Visit
    • Fluoride & Your Child
    • Nitrous Oxide for Children
    • Pregnancy & Your Child's Developing Teeth
    • Sealants
    • Sleep Apnea & Behavior Problems in Children
    • Space Maintainers
    • Teething
    • Thumb Sucking
  • Periodontal Therapy
    • Cosmetic Gum Surgery
    • Gum Grafting
    • Loose Teeth & Bite Problems
    • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
    • Oral Systemic Connection
    • Periodontal (Gum) Disease
    • Periodontal Flap Surgery
    • Professional Teeth Cleanings
    • Ultrasonic Cleanings
  • Technology
    • Digital Dental Impressions
    • Digital X-Rays
    • Intra-Oral Camera

4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

651-762-7677 Call or Text
(651) 762-1861 Fax

[email protected]

IsaacsonGentleDentistry on Facebook and Instagram

 

                                                              COVID-19 Office Update

Carefully following guidance from the State of Minnesota, Isaacson Gentle Dentistry is open. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our patients and the team.  Because of COVID-19, we have made many changes to protect you.  We will be screening you for any sickness or COVID-19 symptoms prior to your appointment by phone and at your appointment. Please cancel your appointment with us as early as possible if you have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough, loss of taste, nausea, etc). When you arrive at our office, we will have you wait in your car in our parking lot instead of our waiting room.  Upon welcoming you into our office, we will take your temperature.  We have windows in our office, which will be open, we have HEPA air filtration, and we are limiting the number of patients and team members in our office. We have the recommended PPE’s and are following the American Dental Association, OSHA, CDC, and State of Minnesota guidelines for protecting you and our team. We changed the inside of our practice by putting up glass doors to separate treatment rooms and plexiglass at our front desk. Please be patient with us during these unprecedented times as we will be limiting our appointments and making scheduling changes to current appointments to provide safer and better care for you. Please call, text, e-mail, or Facebook message Isaacson Gentle Dentistry with any questions you have or to set up a dental appointment.  Please stay safe and healthy.  We are looking forward to seeing you!!

 

 

FacebookInvisalign American Dental AssociationMinnesota Dental AssociationEducational Videos

Google ReviewsPatient Reviews

                                                                             

 

Our Location

4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-762-7677

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Our Staff
  • Our Office
  • Patient Reviews
  • OurServices
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map
White Bear Lake, MN Dentist
Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
4700 White Bear Parkway
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 762-7677
(651) 762-1861 Fax