Calmer Visits: Sedation Dentistry with Nitrous Oxide or Oral Sedation

If the dental office makes your heart race, you’re not alone. Sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide or oral sedation can take the edge off so you can get the care you need—comfortably and safely. The goal isn’t to “knock you out.” It’s to quiet the noise, soften the worry, and help time pass more easily.

Two Gentle Options, Tailored to You

Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) mixes with oxygen and is breathed through a soft nose mask. You’ll feel light, relaxed, and still awake. Effects start within minutes and wear off quickly once the gas is turned off—most people can drive themselves home.

Oral sedation uses a carefully chosen pill taken before your visit. You’ll feel deeply relaxed and may nap lightly, but you’ll still respond to cues. We monitor you throughout, and you’ll need a ride home.

Both options pair well with local anesthetic so your procedure is comfortable from start to finish.

What It Feels Like

During: You feel calm, sometimes a bit floaty, with sounds and time fading into the background.
After: With nitrous oxide, you’re back to baseline within minutes of stopping the gas. With oral sedation, you’ll be groggy for a few hours and should take it easy the rest of the day.

Your safety comes first. We review your health history, current medications, and past experiences to choose the right level and monitor you closely.

Who Benefits Most

Sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide or oral sedation helps if you:

Have dental anxiety or a strong gag reflex.
Need longer or combined procedures.
Struggle with getting numb or staying comfortable.
Have sensitive teeth or a history of stressful appointments.

Pediatric or special-needs patients may also benefit, with tailored protocols and trained providers.

Benefits — What the Research Says

The ADA notes that nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and discomfort when used appropriately by trained dental teams. ADA
ADA guidelines outline training, monitoring, and rescue standards for dentists who provide sedation, underscoring the emphasis on patient safety at each level. ADA+1
Pediatric guidelines (AAPD) echo that nitrous oxide-oxygen can safely control anxiety for children and individuals with special health care needs when protocols are followed—useful if your family needs options. AAPD

Less Stress, Better Care

When fear eases, treatment becomes simpler—and healthier outcomes follow. Whether you choose gentle nitrous oxide or a deeper calm with oral medication, sedation dentistry lets you take care of your teeth without the white-knuckle experience.

Want to learn if sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide or oral sedation is right for you? Call Bensonhurst Implant and Family Dentistry at 718-372-2800 or visit 2250 86th St 2nd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11214 to schedule a consultation.