Articaine is the 2nd most popular anesthetic to grace the world of dentistry across the US. It is a painkiller that ensures you do not experience unnecessary anxiety or pain. Recent years have seen the revolutionization of local anesthetics. Nitrous oxide (N20), commonly known as laughing gas, is used to manage pain and anxiety during treatment. These two agents are used to ensure successful dental visits, more about them is detailed below.
Articaine
Before going into details, you should understand the history of anesthesia. Ether anesthesia was the first anesthesia to be used by dentists in 1846. It remained the standard anesthetic until the mid-1900s. Here, safer and more effective pain relievers were invented. You might have heard about the Novocain alternative. It is the most popular, while lidocaine and articaine are the most common.
Articaine was for the first time used in Europe in 1976. In the United States, articaine is approved by the FDA and is the most commonly used because it is a safe option for numbing pain in specific areas in the mouth. Check with your medical professional to ensure that you will not have any adverse effects after administration. The liver and the kidney process articaine and other anesthesia, so if you have any underlying medical conditions, seek medical advice.
Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide (N2O), is a mild sedative agent that safely manages pain and anxiety during dental procedures. This colorless and odorless gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose. Patients should breathe normally, its effects hit within minutes of administration.
Contrary to its name, laughing gas does not make you laugh. It slows down your nervous system and makes you feel less inhibited. Some side effects might be, feeling lightheaded, tingly, or heavy in your arms or legs. Eventually, you will be calm and comfortable throughout the procedure.
It is a more efficient way and a safe option for sedation since it works quickly to relax patients and wears off fast after the procedure by breathing pure oxygen through a mask. Plus, the laughing gas does not put you to sleep, you can hear and respond to questions and instructions during the procedure. With that information, you can choose the option that will benefit you. Our dentists are open to talking about available options that will suit you. Call us today.
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