Nitrous Oxide Sedation in Del Mar, CA

If you have not been maintaining your oral health due to anxiety about the dentist, you're a good fit for nitrous oxide sedation at Ron Barry, D.M.D. Our facility in Del Mar, CA provides nitrous oxide sedation for complex dental procedures and to comfort individuals with dental fears and anxieties during normal check-ups and exams. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) gas is a simple sedation option that may help you relax safely during your appointment. Also called laughing gas, nitrous oxide sedation is offered by family dentist Dr. Ron Barry to keep you awake while being completely relaxed. Set up a consult with Dr. Barry for more information on the use of sedation methods, like N₂O, during your dental visits.

N₂O is an incredibly popular sedation technique that can be utilized with little risk on adults and children. Prior to recommending the use of nitrous oxide, Dr. Barry will assess your concerns, current medications, and medical history to be sure that nitrous oxide gas is indeed a fit for you. Nitrous oxide sedation can be utilized for longer or minimally invasive procedures, paired with a local anesthesia to help decrease potential pain. Nitrous oxide sedation can also be used if you have fear or anxieties toward dental work that prevents you from keeping your regular dental appointments. Nitrous oxide gas may not be a good choice if you have extreme phobias, trouble breathing through your nose, COPD, or other similar health concerns.

Before the procedure is initiated, the N₂O will be administered to you via a mask. As you take in the gas, it will act quickly and begin taking effect. Dr. Barry or another member of his staff will observe your response to the gas, as well as your vitals, and adjust the amount as required during the appointment so you stay at ease. You may notice a tingling sensation in your outer extremities, and a feeling of well-being, warmth, and euphoria as the N₂O begins to take effect. Nitrous oxide is usually used in conjunction with a local anesthetic, like lidocaine, to diminish sensation. When the procedure is done, the gas is shut off and the effects will begin to fade immediately.

Recovery from nitrous oxide sedation is typically immediate because the medication is eliminated from the body within 3 – 5 minutes. You will be ready to operate a vehicle and return to your daily activities as soon as you leave our facility. Side effects are not common, but you might experience sweating, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, or chills. Do not hesitate to call our team if you have any side effects that last longer than a few days. To decrease the chance of nausea, Dr. Barry recommends that you consume a small meal or light snack prior to your appointment and then hold off about three hours after your appointment before eating a heavy meal.

If you carry dental insurance, we will make contact with your carrier to attain your existing coverage as it pertains to nitrous oxide sedation. This information will help us determine your expected costs prior to your procedure. For those who don't carry dental insurance, Ron Barry, D.M.D. takes several types of payment, which includes medical financing, to help make your procedure more affordable.

If you do not maintain standard dental appointments or you are suffering from oral discomfort due to anxiety, please consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Barry for more information about nitrous oxide sedation at our practice in Del Mar, CA. Dr. Barry and his experienced team will gladly answer your questions and ease your concerns about sedation.