[Five years evaluation of nitrous oxide sedation in dentistry]

Nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation in dental treatment has been used to a limited extent at the dental schools in Oslo and Bergen since the middle of the 1970-ies. Anesthetists were responsible for the sedation until 1983. Since then two dentists at the pedodontic departments, one in Oslo and one in Bergen, have been licensed for the use of nitrous oxide. The aim of this study was to evaluate dental treatment performed under nitrous oxide sedation in Bergen during the period 1983-88. Data from 435 treatment sessions in 151 patients were analysed. Most of the patients were children anxious of dental treatment. The acceptance was excellent in 315 (72.4%) and fair in 106 (24.4%) treatment sessions. The concentration of nitrous oxide being administered during the dental treatment was most frequently between 40% and 60%. The acceptance and cooperation from the patients were better with low concentrations of nitrous oxide than at higher levels. The side effects/complications were few and mild (4.1%). This study shows that nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation in dental treatment is excellent and safe for many patients that cannot be treated conventionally.