Sedation options · Crows Nest, Sydney
Anxious about a root canal? Happy gas (RA sedation) can help you feel calmer while staying awake. Our Crows Nest specialist endodontists will explain whether it suits you.
RA sedation (relative analgesia), often called happy gas, is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe through a small nose hood. It helps you feel calm while staying awake and able to talk. Local anaesthetic is still used to numb the tooth, and the gas fades within minutes once it’s switched off.
RA sedation is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe in through a soft hood resting over your nose. Within a few minutes you’ll usually feel calm and a little light, sometimes with a warm or tingly feeling in your hands and feet.
You stay awake throughout. You can hear us, answer questions and let us know if you need a break. That’s the main difference between happy gas and deeper forms of sedation.
Happy gas doesn’t numb the tooth, so local anaesthetic is still used. What the gas helps with is the nerves, so it’s easier to settle in while the numbing goes in and treatment gets started.
Happy gas is often worth considering if dental visits make you tense, or if you’ve put off treatment because of nerves.
You feel anxious about treatment, or have put off a root canal because of it.
Happy gas can make it easier to settle while we work.
You find injections or the sounds and smells of a clinic hard to cope with.
Treatment on a back tooth with several canals can take a while.
Another option may suit you better if you’re pregnant, have a blocked nose or a heavy cold, have a lung condition such as COPD, have had recent eye or ear surgery, or have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Bring a list of your medications to your consultation and we’ll go through your health history with you.
Both options help with anxiety, but they feel quite different on the day.
| RA sedation (happy gas) | IV sedation | |
|---|---|---|
| How it’s given | Breathed in through a small nose hood | Medication through a small cannula in your arm or hand |
| How aware you are | Awake, relaxed and able to talk | Deeply relaxed and drowsy; many people remember little afterwards |
| How long it lasts | Fades within minutes of breathing oxygen | Takes several hours; plan to rest for the day |
| Local anaesthetic | Still used to numb the tooth | Still used to numb the tooth |
| Getting home | We check how you feel before you leave | A responsible adult must take you home |
If your anxiety is severe, or the procedure is long or complex, IV sedation may suit you better. We’ll help you weigh it up.
Happy gas may be an option alongside specialist endodontic treatment. We’ll talk through what suits your treatment at your consultation.
Removes inflamed or infected tissue from inside the tooth, then cleans and seals the canals. Learn more
Redoing an older root filling that has become infected again. Learn more
A small procedure to treat infection at the tip of the root. Learn more
Finding and treating cracks that cause pain when you bite. Learn more
The fee for happy gas is separate from your treatment fee. We’ll explain all fees before treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision.
Some private health extras policies cover part of the cost of sedation. Your fund can tell you what you’ll get back if you give them the item numbers we provide.
You’ll be treated by a registered specialist endodontist who will explain your options before anything starts.
Specialist Endodontist
BDS (Otago), FRACDS, MClinDent (London), MRD (Edinburgh), FICD, FPFA
Specialist Endodontist
BDent (Hons, Sydney), DClinDent (Endodontics, Queensland), FICD
Straight answers to the questions nervous patients ask us most.
Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for well over a century and is generally well tolerated. Like any medicine, it can have side effects, such as nausea or dizziness, and it isn’t right for everyone. We check your medical history first and monitor you throughout the appointment.
No. You stay awake and in control the whole time. You can talk to us, nod or raise a hand if you need a break. The feeling is usually described as calm and slightly floaty rather than sleepy.
Usually only a few minutes. When treatment is finished, you breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes to clear the gas. We’ll make sure you feel clear-headed before you leave the chair.
Happy gas clears quickly once you’re breathing oxygen. We’ll check how you feel before you leave and let you know whether it’s okay to drive. If you still feel light-headed, sit with us until it passes. After IV sedation, you’ll need a responsible adult to take you home.
Happy gas is generally avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Tell us if you’re pregnant or might be, and we’ll talk through other ways to help you feel comfortable.
Many of our patients are referred by their general dentist. You can also contact us directly to discuss your situation and the right next step. If your dentist has taken recent X-rays, ask them to send them through.
You don’t have to commit to anything on the first call. Ring our team on (02) 9129 0009 or send a request, and ask whatever’s on your mind.
We’re at Level 3, Suite 301/34 Hume St, Crows Nest, a short walk from Crows Nest Metro, with free 2-hour parking at the Hume Street Council car park. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before going ahead, you may want to get a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Leave your details and our team will call you back during business hours.
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