Modern Restorative Dentistry · Minimally Invasive Implantology
Dentist for Anxious Patients: Relaxed with Nitrous Oxide
- and responsive, yet noticeably relaxed
- Awake
- and responsive, yet noticeably relaxed
- until the effect wears off after treatment
- Minutes
- until the effect wears off after treatment
- general anaesthesia needed
- 0
- general anaesthesia needed
Many people do not like going to the dentist, and some put off their visit for years out of fear. You are not alone, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. At our practice in Berlin-Spandau you can choose to be treated under nitrous oxide: you stay awake, but feel noticeably more relaxed.
What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for decades to calm patients. You breathe it in through a small nasal mask, always mixed with plenty of oxygen. After a few minutes a warm, relaxed feeling sets in. The fear fades into the background, and many patients feel that time passes much more quickly.
Relaxed but awake
You stay responsive and can answer or signal at any time. Your protective reflexes such as swallowing and coughing remain intact.
Quickly adjustable
We can adjust the effect at any time during treatment. Afterwards you breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes, and the effect wears off quickly.
No general anaesthesia
General anaesthesia strains the circulation, carries its own risks and requires fasting, an escort and a longer recovery. With nitrous oxide none of this is needed. That is why we deliberately use nitrous oxide instead of general anaesthesia.
For many treatments
Nitrous oxide can be combined with local anaesthesia, for example for fillings, root canal treatment, tooth extractions or dental implants.
What happens during treatment with nitrous oxide
- 1
Consultation
We talk about your fear, your experiences and your health, and check whether nitrous oxide is suitable for you.
- 2
Mask on
You first breathe pure oxygen through the nasal mask, then a gradually increasing mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen.
- 3
Treatment
Once you are relaxed, local anaesthesia follows if needed, and then the actual treatment. We monitor you throughout.
- 4
Recovery
At the end you breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes. We discuss with you when you may drive again.
Who should not have nitrous oxide?
In some situations we advise against nitrous oxide, for example during pregnancy, with a badly blocked nose or an acute cold, with certain lung or ear conditions, after eye surgery with a gas bubble, or with a vitamin B12 deficiency. We clarify this in the consultation.
What does nitrous oxide cost?
Treatment under nitrous oxide is a private additional service and is usually not covered by statutory health insurance. Private insurers reimburse it depending on the plan. We tell you the cost in advance.
The first step
The hardest step is often the phone call. Let us know when you request your appointment that you would like treatment under nitrous oxide. In the consultation we then check whether it is suitable for you.
We look forward to seeing you at our practice on Betckestraße in Berlin-Spandau.
Questions about this?
Feel free to reach out — we're happy to advise you, no obligation.
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