The minimal sedation procedure requires the child to breathe Nitrous Oxide combined with Oxygen otherwise known as Happy Gas or Sweet Gas through a mask that is placed over the child’s nose. The gas helps reduce anxiety and helps the child relax even for challenging dental procedures. We control the amount of sedation that the child receives and the child is awake, interactive and responds to any instructions we may have. This technique is also highly effective to overcome a pronounced gag reflex. The effects of the gas wear off quickly in a few minutes and the child can follow a normal routine post-treatment.

We advise that the child have a light snack before the procedure and leave a two-hour gap between mealtime and the dental procedure. This prevents any nausea and vomiting that the gas might rarely induce. Post treatment, children can return to their normal activities.

The Inhalation Sedation technique has been proven to be the most safe, effective and child-friendly form of sedation, used for over five decades to deliver dental care to children. The effect of the gas is limited to the period when the child breathes through his/her nose. There’s no hangover effect as the gas is immediately eliminated from the body. It’s an extremely safe way to make sure your child is comfortable during otherwise uncomfortable dental procedures such as pulp therapy, crowns and extractions.

The minimal sedation procedure can be performed on a child who can be convinced into cooperating and accepting a mask (nasal hood) on the nose. Children less than 4 years of age are usually categorized as pre-cooperative and may find it difficult to accept the nasal hood and breathe calmly through their nose while we work in their mouths.