About "Happy Air" / Inhalation Sedation also known as "RA"

Richard Charon also has a national reputation for his success in helping people overcome their dental anxiety. 

Richard’s expertise with “RA” comes from 30 years experience with this under-utilised technique. In the USA about 50% of dentists have this facility. In the UK, probably only 5-10% of dentists use it.”

Richard runs teaching courses for fellow dentists attracting delegates to Newbury from all over the UK and now from Ireland too, to learn this technique.” One dentist came down from Aberdeen and has now returned to his native Faroe Islands to assist the islanders “he said.

In 2008 Richard expects to run his courses in Liverpool, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Irish Republic. “One of the great things about “RA” is the rapid recovery so that people can get back to work soon after finishing their dental appointment.” he said. It opens up possibilities for nervous patients, so they can have their smile makeovers without pain or fear.

Who will sedate me?

The dentist carrying out your treatment, assisiated by an appropriately trained dental nurse

Is it safe?

Very safe. We use it for children and adults from 5 to 95 so long as they are able to understand how it works and how they will feel. SInce you are able to speak to the dentist, if at any time you feel the happy air mixture is a bit too strong, we can quickly turn it down and within a few seconds you will feel very relaxed again.

Are there any side effects?

Very few. Occasionally a slight feeling of nausea but this is quite rare.

How is it done?

A  mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen is adjusted to suit you. Everyone needs a different mixture to acheive a feeling of warm and cosy relaxation. We use a small soft sterile nosepiece for you to breathe through.

How will I feel ?

You will feel very relaxed. Most people feel some of the following senasations.

• Warm and or heavy arms and legs
• A mild tingling in the fingers and toes
• A sense of being far away. Voices and music may seem distant
• A sense of not caring or minding about being at the dentst
• A greatly reduced or eliminated gag reflex.
• Reduced  awarness of  procedures such as dental anaesthetics ( injections), especially so as we use "The Wand".

Are there any downsides?

Very few. It is not possible to use RA

• In the first 6 months of pregnancy
• If you cannot normally breathe through your nose
• If you have a cold on the day of the appontment

How quickly will I recover?

Very quickly. Usuaually within 2-3 minutes of the completion of treatment you will be ready to return to the waiting room and can usually leave the practice within 10 minutes. We advise against driving for 30-60 minutes but you can return to work,college or school afterwards and carry on with your normal activites.

If It sounds too good to be to be true !  Well for many people that is excatly what they feel about it.

Read detailed accounts of their expeinces form some of our patients here by clicking on our logo below