Inhalational sedation

In this method of sedation you breathe a mixture of special gases which act to relax you. The most common combination is nitrous oxide and oxygen which is also known by other names like 'gas and air', 'entonox' or 'relative analgesia'.

This technique is very safe with a rapid recovery time and is good for adults but is especially good when treating anxious children. The mixture of gases is delivered through a small comfortable nosepiece, which is positioned to cover the nose and not the mouth. A specially designed machine delivers the gases and can be adjusted by your dentist in response to your needs. You may experience a warm tingly feeling which allows you to more easily accept dental treatment. There are requirements both before and after treatment with inhalational sedation and the instructions given by your dentist must be strictly followed.

About Inhalational Sedation

• Also known as Relative Analgesia or RA
• Sometimes referred to as "gas and air"
• Similar to "Entonox" commonly used in child birth
• RA is suitable for adults and particularly effective in children
• RA is a desirable alternative to general anaesthetic
• It is a well established form of anxiety control that makes treatment more pleasant
• It is an excellent way of having treatment if you are mildly anxious

What to expect

• RA may give a warm, tingly feeling- allowing better acceptance of treatment
• RA can give the sense of floating
• RA is a sedative and therefore gives relaxation
• RA wears off within a few minutes

What not to expect

RA does not put you to sleep or give memory loss

What can help me?

• Intravenous sedation
• Inhalational sedation
• Oral sedation
• Nasal sedation
• Patient controlled sedation
• Safety

Download our useful leaflets

• Dental treatment for anxious patients