Twilight sedation is also known as “happy gas” and is a mixture of two gases being oxygen and nitrous oxide. This helps the patient to relax and makes dental treatment easier.
The patient is able to tolerate procedures that may normally be unpleasant and the pain threshold increased without loss of consciousness.
The dental team will demonstrate to the patient the correct breathing technique to allow this to occur. Patients feel a deep sense of relaxation although they are still aware and able to communicate at all times.
Local anaesthetic may still be used. The gas is delivered through a special nosepiece and patients will sometimes feel a tingling in hands and feet and they will be light headed.
The dentist helps you relax by talking through the procedure and advising what is happening.
At the end of the procedure the patients inhale only oxygen to reverse the effects.
Patients are able to return to work or driving after a period of around 30 minutes.
