Anyone with a social media account is bound to see comical videos of individuals waking up from dental procedures acting loopy or unaware of their surroundings. Though it’s understood that sharing these videos is all in good fun, you may still be wondering if you might feel the same way.

The medical process that makes patients feel this way is called dental sedation. Many patients will feel a bit disconnected after the procedure takes place, but most patients do not act as “out of it” as the internet makes it seem.
Nitrous Oxide Treatment near Billings, MT
Dental sedation is a common dental tool used to help patients experience minimal pain and discomfort while their dentists perform their procedures. Your elevated comfort and lack of distress also allow your dentist to complete the procedure as efficiently as possible.
Dental sedation is typically used for patients for more extensive dental procedures, such as wisdom teeth extraction and emergency dental services.
The Science Behind the Laugh
Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers nitrous oxide in our sedation dentistry catalog. Nitrous oxide, known as “laughing gas,” is given through a mask, reducing your anxiety as you breathe it in—usually taking as little as 3–5 minutes. Dr. Rath will keep an eye on the equipment to make sure you get just the right amount of laughing gas to help your body feel comfortable.
Once the procedure is completed we will remove the mask and provide clear oxygen to help you come to your senses quickly. Most patients feel back to normal within 5–10 minutes, which means the procedure does not impact the rest of your day.
It is dubbed laughing gas because it can cause a light tingling sensation as it works through your body. Occasionally this makes children giggle. You won’t laugh uncontrollably when you use laughing gas, despite its name.
IV Sedation
Dentists will work with an anesthesiologist or receive training themselves to offer anesthesia. Waking up from IV sedation can be a bit more jarring than using nitrous oxide. You may feel disoriented for up to 15 minutes. Often the videos you see online are of people waking up after IV sedation.
You can’t drive after IV sedation, but the affects will wear off quickly so you can be back to normal in no time.
Dental Sedation Improves the Patient Experience
Using dental sedation is critical to maintaining a high standard of care here at Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. Outside of pain relief, here are some other benefits of nitrous oxide:
- Reducing Dental Anxiety: Patients who experience fear of dental work find the nitrous oxide mask to be non-invasive and the solution quickly eases their nerves.
- Making Appointments Feel Quick: Nitrous oxide makes patients feel relaxed and unaware of the procedure. You’ll feel as if the service was done in only a few minutes.
- Managing Oral Sensitivities: Some patients deal with tooth sensitivity or a gag reflex which can make oral care feel like a chore. Nitrous oxide is built to ease this stress.
- Providing Child-Friendly Comfort: In the case where we need to perform extensive treatment on your child, nitrous oxide can be used to help your child feel comfortable.
Be sure not to eat anything before the procedure takes place to avoid any side effects of nausea.
Most patients can drive home from the appointment takes place, so there’s no need to have anyone accompany you to the appointment unless it makes you feel comfortable.
Qualifying for Dental Sedation
Most individuals with any dental symptoms can use sedation to improve their visit to the dentist. Dental sedation is completely safe and Dr. Rath or your local dentist will evaluate your health history to check whether you are a good candidate for the service.
These tools can be used for any dental service as the patient and dentist see fit.
Find Dental Sedation near Yellowstone County
You’ll love how dental sedation can improve your experience at the dentist. Learn more about how nitrous oxide can help our patients address their dental concerns. Call our Billings, MT, office to schedule a visit today.