The visit to the dentist should be a pleasant experience, positive, even when complicated procedures are required since the first control, such as dental emergencies. Most patients are scared of visiting the dentist, but modern dentistry offers comfortable treatments for those anxious.
One is conscious sedation – inhalosedation with nitrous oxide (N2O) and oxygen (O2).
Nitrous oxide is a gas gentle, non-toxic, slightly sweet, which does not bind to blood components is not captured in the tissues (muscle, bone, fat) and remove the lung.
Induction period is short, about 3-5 minutes, requires no injections or infusions, and depth of sedation can be checked and modified at any time, which gives the doctor the possibility of effective control. Also, the length is variable, depending on the needs of dental treatment.
The method involves the administration of nitrous oxide, mixed with oxygen through a mask connected to a device and fixed tightly on the nose. The person to be inhalosedation is lie down or semidown and oxygen concentration doctor monitors them using a pulse oximeter. Gas dose is increased gradually, sometimes sufficient concentration of 20% to induce relaxation. The patient feels well, sometimes even euphoric, and in all this time, pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate, and pupils are normal reflexes.
Since it is not metabolized in the liver by removing is quick and complete recovery occurs in about 5 minutes. This is a major advantage, patients can leave the dental office immediately after treatment and were able to resume daily activities.
The method can be used in patients:
- Anxiety (fear) – is still required cooperation between patient and physician minimum (not made for children under 3 years)
- cardiovascular disease – reveals a deeper state of relaxation through inhalosedation heart than through general anesthesia in people with cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension.
- Parkinson’s disease and restless N2O limit involuntary movements specific to this disease
- Reflex excessive vomiting.
Contraindications of inhalosedation
Children with respiratory diseases with respiratory obstruction, congenital or acquired, children with otitis media and sinusitis (during convalescence), palatine tonsils of children with high and those who breathe through the mouth.
- Obstructions lung disease (emphysema, bronchitis)
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Otitis media
- Multiple sclerosis
- Uncooperative patients (children under 3 years)
- First trimester pregnant women