Nitrous Oxide for Special Needs Children

Two areas of Dr. Ira Lelchuk’s expertise are nitrous oxide and pediatric dentistry. For children with special needs, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is an important option for easing dental procedures, allowing important oral maintenance and treatment to be done unhindered.

Nitrous oxide is a gas delivered through a mask over the patient’s nose, but it does not leave the patient unconscious. They may not be able to remember much of the procedure, but they will still be able to communicate and will have a cough reflex. For surgeries such as wisdom tooth extraction, nitrous oxide may be coupled with an injected local anesthetic. This is because nitrous oxide is meant mainly to relieve a patient’s psychological stress, including fear of needles, while anesthetic is used to prevent pain.

Because of nitrous oxide’s low solubility in blood, it acts quickly but allows the patient to endure longer appointments. Use of nitrous oxide in properly equipped offices and hospitals such as ours is perfectly safe for children. Besides reducing dental anxiety, it also reduces involuntary movement, making it highly desirable for special needs patients who intend to be cooperative but have difficulty remaining in the chair.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami-Dental.com, through a contact form.

 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Analgesia)

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a chemical compound with the formula N20. At room temperature, it is a colorless, non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax.  At Miami Dental, our doctors only administer this pain-relieving formula to patients who are eligible for sedation.  

Nitrous oxide is the most commonly used form of sedation in dentistry. It is administered by having the patient inhale the gas, which is carefully monitored by our doctors. You will fall into a euphoric state and feel completely relaxed. All feelings of fear and anxiety fade away, allowing you to sit back peacefully while your dental procedure is performed. In some cases, all dental treatment can be completed in one visit while you are sedated. Once the procedure is over, the nitrous oxide will wear off fairly quickly and you will  be able to drive yourself home and return to your daily activities.

To learn more about sedation options as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors or hygienists, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.