Is nitrous oxide at the dentist worth the cost?
Most people react well to nitrous oxide to some degree, but the one time I tried it last year I found it did little or nothing to relax me. I asked the dentist if I was getting enough, as I didn’t feel any change at all during prep, but he said I was getting the standard dosage. I found that the topical anaesthetic gel still made the needle almost painless, but I can’t say that the added expense of nitrous oxide would have been worth it if I had been paying the bill myself. So, if you have insurance, or if you’re willing to weigh $90 against the prospect of smoothing out a very uncomfortable experience, AND if you don’t have generalized anxiety, as mygothlibrary described, I’d say try it. You are very likely one of the people who will benefit, and if you aren’t, you’re just out a few bucks.
