Sedation by the use of inhalation agents in dental care.

Nitrous oxide/oxygen has long been the mixture of gases used in dental practice to produce light sedation. The main indication for use of nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation is fear-anxiety. The equipment used is a continuous flow machine with a fail safe system set at a minimum of 30 or 40 per cent oxygen. A standardized sedation technique starting with administration of 100 per cent oxygen, is recommended. The concentration of nitrous oxide is then slowly increased and individually set, mostly between 30 and 50 per cent. In most cases the analgesia produced by nitrous oxide is not sufficient to ensure pain-free dental treatment. The sedation must therefore be supplemented by local anaesthesia. Side effects, e.g. restlessness, vomiting, and nausea are infrequent. About 90 per cent patients, who have difficulty in co-operating during dental treatment, mainly because of anxiety, show excellent or fair co-operation during nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation. Occupational exposure to nitrous oxide can be minimized by the use of scavenging systems, local exhaust systems, careful sedation technique, and equipment management.