Breathe Easy with Laughing Gas at Noble Dental Group
Let’s face it—while some patients love visiting the dentist, many feel nervous about dental treatments like root canals, fillings, or veneers. In fact, over a third of Americans experience dental anxiety, and for some, that fear can lead to delaying essential care. At Noble Dental Group, we believe anxiety shouldn’t get in the way of your oral health. That’s why we offer nitrous oxide sedation—commonly known as laughing gas—to help you feel calm and comfortable during your visit.
What Is Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas is a safe, fast-acting sedative inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose. It starts working within minutes, helping you feel relaxed, light-headed, and often even a little giddy—hence the name. It’s one of the most gentle forms of sedation and is widely used for both kids and adults.
During your procedure, our dental team at Noble Dental, Race Street Dental Care or Quaker City Dental will carefully monitor and adjust the level of nitrous oxide to ensure you stay relaxed throughout. Once the treatment is done, we switch you to pure oxygen, which clears the gas from your system quickly—so you can resume your day without lingering drowsiness. In most cases, you can even drive yourself home.
Who Can Benefit from Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas is ideal for patients who:
- Feel nervous about dental procedures
- Have a fear of needles, drills, or the dental setting in general
- Have very sensitive teeth
- Need help staying calm during longer appointments
A Trusted and Effective Solution
According to the American Dental Association, nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most effective methods for managing dental anxiety. It offers a gentle yet effective way to help patients receive the care they need—without fear or discomfort.
Other Ways to Ease Dental Anxiety
Even with sedation, simple steps can help make your visit more comfortable:
- Bring a friend for support before or after your appointment
- Listen to music or a podcast while waiting
- Practice breathing exercises to stay grounded and relaxed
Gentle, Patient-Centered Care in Philadelphia
At Noble Dental Group, your comfort comes first. Whether you visit us at Noble Dental, Race Street Dental Care or Quaker City Dental, our experienced team is here to make sure you feel confident, informed and at ease every step of the way.
Ready to take the stress out of your next dental visit?
Request an appointment today to learn more about how laughing gas can help you feel at home in the dental chair.
Tooth Extraction: What It Is and How to Avoid It
There’s a reason we say difficult situations are like pulling teeth. While there’s no denying that tooth extractions have come a long way, and that pulling teeth isn’t as uncomfortable as it used to be, you would probably still prefer to avoid it if you can. But if one or more of your teeth is damaged beyond repair—which means other methods like fillings, crowns or root canals can’t fix it—a tooth extraction may be necessary for your dental health.
Why Might I Need a Tooth Pulled?
During a tooth extraction, your dentist will “pull” your entire tooth from its socket. While this process might sound scary, your dentist will make you as comfortable as possible before, during, and after your procedure. And while you may not realize it now, pulling teeth can often provide immediate relief from painful, damaged teeth.
Some of the most common reasons for tooth extraction include:
- Broken teeth: In some cases, if most of the external tooth has broken off, your dentist may recommend removing the rest of it.
- Crowded or impacted teeth: If teeth are too crowded or cannot erupt through the gums, your dentist may recommend removal to help your remaining teeth better align. Impacted wisdom teeth are often extracted.
- Gum disease: For patients with severe gum disease, teeth may become loose and require extraction to avoid further damage.
- Tooth decay: When bacteria in the mouth break down the enamel of the teeth to the middle, or pulp, of the tooth, it may need to be removed. According to the CDC, tooth decay is the most common reason for tooth loss in adults.
In certain cases, you may need an emergency tooth extraction if one or more of your teeth needs to be pulled right away because of trauma, severe pain, or infection.
How Are Teeth Pulled?
Before the tooth extraction, your dentist will look at the affected tooth, gums, and surrounding area. They will also take X-rays to understand the extent of damage or decay of the tooth. Additionally, if needed, they will provide dental sedation such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help you relax during the procedure.
During the extraction, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You should not be able to feel any pain during the procedure. They will then loosen and pull the tooth out of its socket. After the removal, your dentist will clean and stitch the socket closed. Finally, they will place gauze over the socket to aid in healing.
You may continue to bleed for about 24 hours following your tooth extraction. While you may have some discomfort, most people feel back to normal within a couple of days of their procedure.
How to Avoid Tooth Extraction
The best way to avoid having teeth pulled is to maintain good oral hygiene every day, including brushing and flossing. You can take other steps to prevent the need for tooth extractions, including:
- Eating a healthy diet, including limiting sugary beverages
- Getting early treatment for dental issues like cavities and chipped teeth
- Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
Many of the issues that lead to tooth extraction take a long time to develop. Seeing your dentist regularly for checkups can not only help with keeping your teeth sparkling but also help identify small issues before they become big problems.
Helping You Find the Way to Your Best Dental Health
Whether you’re looking for a pain-free tooth extraction or trying to avoid one with regular dental care, Noble Dental Group can help. Our care teams at Noble Dental, Race Street Dental Care and Quaker City Dental are here to help answer your questions and make your dental visit as stress-free as possible. Request an appointment now to learn more.
Which Dental Veneers Are Right for Me?
A beautiful smile can create a great impression—and achieving that perfect smile could be easier than you think. Dental veneers are a proven way to cover common cosmetic problems and improve your smile.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers mask the front surface of your teeth to improve your smile. These covers, placed by licensed dentists, help to hide flaws in your teeth, including:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Gaps between your teeth or crooked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Stains that won’t come clean
After an initial consultation to determine if veneers are right for you, your dentist will remove some enamel from your natural teeth to create a better surface for the veneers. Depending on what type of veneer you choose, you will likely get dental impressions to ensure a natural look that fits with your smile. It may take a few weeks for them to be produced.
Once they arrive, your dentist will use dental cement to bond your veneers to your teeth. They will make any final adjustments, including checking the fit, evaluating your bite and polishing or removing any excess material.
What Are the Different Kinds?
There are several kinds of dental veneers you might consider. But your dentist will likely recommend a specific kind depending on your budget and goals for your smile. Still, understanding what types of veneers are available will help you make the decision that’s right for you.
Porcelain Veneers
The gold standard of veneers, porcelain veneers offer a high-quality, long-lasting, natural appearance. These veneers can last more than a decade and are easy to maintain. Your dentist will custom-make these veneers to fit over your teeth.
While porcelain veneers offer the best aesthetic option, they are more expensive than other types of veneers. Placing them takes longer and your dentist may need to remove more enamel than they would for other types of veneers. Further, any chipped or broken porcelain veneers must be replaced by your dentist.
Composite Veneers
Composite dental veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers. They are made of resin and require less enamel removal than alternatives. Many dentists are also able to apply composite veneers in a single, less invasive visit than for porcelain veneers.
However, because they are made of resin, stains can show up more quickly on composite veneers. These veneers require regular maintenance, including professional cleanings, and the material will need to be replaced faster (less than eight years) than porcelain veneers.
Removable Veneers
For a less permanent solution, your dentist may recommend removable, or pop-on, veneers. These veneers fit on top of your natural teeth like a retainer, and you can remove them at any time. They are often cheaper than permanent veneers and do not require any enamel removal.
Because they fit over your teeth, removable veneers may make eating and speaking more difficult. It’s also important to keep pop-on veneers clean to prevent issues like tooth decay from trapped food and bacteria.
Are Dental Veneers Right for Me?
Dental veneers can help create a whiter, brighter smile by hiding many cosmetic problems with your teeth. Your dentist will work with you to fix any existing oral health problems, like gum disease, cavities, missing teeth and teeth grinding, before moving forward.
While veneers are a cosmetic solution, they may also offer some protection to damaged teeth. Your dentist will discuss the best options for your dental health, including whether dental crowns would work better for your needs.
Start Your Journey to a Brighter Smile
The smile of your dreams is closer than you might think. Request an appointment at Noble Dental, Race Street Dental Care or Quaker City Dental to learn how dental veneers can give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Our care team is here to help answer any questions you have in a low-stress, no-pressure environment.