This procedure uses combinations of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases which are inhaled by the patient through a rubber face mask. Nitrous oxide is a perfectly safe and simple drug to use. The strength of the sedative effect depends upon the concentration of nitrous oxide that is inhaled. The effects of nitrous oxide are easily controlled by the patient simply breathing more or less room air through the mouth. The effects of the gas wear off quite quickly after the mask is removed.
Children tend to respond better to nitrous oxide than most of the other techniques.
Nitrous oxide can have long-term effects on the dentists and their staff due to the inhalation of escaped gases. As a result of this many dentists prefer not to use nitrous oxide in their practices. Although nitrous oxide itself is cheap the equipment used to perform the procedure is very expensive. Thus few practices may have the necessary machinery.