“Happy gas/Laughing Gas” is the common name for nitrous oxide that is used as a very safe and effective anesthetic as well as sedative in dental practice especially to calm down patients and children.
It is delivered via inhalation in combination with oxygen through a facemask. The effects are mild and easily reversible via exhalation once the mask is removed.
It doesn’t make you unconscious or even put you to sleep, rather it just calms you and reduces anxiety related to dental treatment. The onset of action is quick in about 2 or 3 minutes and safe for almost all patients including patients with disabilities or syndromes as well as special needs patients.