Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a form of inhalation sedation. The administration of the gas does not require the specialist care of an Anaesthetist or Dental Sedationist. Nitrous Oxide gas is inhaled from a mask for the entire duration of your appointment. You will maintain awareness of your surroundings, while feeling relaxed and calm. Nausea as a result of inhalation sedation is rare. After effects are limited and most people can return to their normal routine after the appointment.

Penthrox
Penthrox is another form of inhalation sedation that relaxes and calms you during treatment. It is inhaled from a small device resembling an asthma puffer. After a few breaths the effects can last for up to an hour. As with laughing gas, you still maintain an awareness of your surroundings. A friend or family member will need to transport you home after your appointment.

Local Anaesthetic Only
Local anaesthetic is a solution injected into the soft tissues of the mouth in order to achieve anaesthesia, or ‘numbness’. This ensures you feel no pain during your dental appointment. Local anaesthetic is used regardless of what other type of sedation is used. Most patients have dental treatment completed with local anaesthetic only, and find this to be very comfortable.

Most traumatic dental experiences stem from pain felt, due to inadequate local anaesthesia. To avoid this, we allow sufficient time for all our patients to become numb. Some people find they may need double or extra anaesthetic to become numb - please inform us prior to treatment, if you have found this to be the case.