Great for patients who are just mildly anxious at the dentist, nitrous oxide is used by placing a small mask over the patient's nose. The patient breathes through their nose to feel the effects of the nitrous oxide. Once the gas is turned off, the effects wear off almost immediately. Oral sedation is a stronger option than nitrous oxide. Patients enter an almost sleep-like state but can still respond to commands and questions. Oral sedation wears off slower, so it comes with instructions on how to recover well.