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Nitrous oxide in dental practice
1Department of Hospital Dentistry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
International Anesthesiology Clinics
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective conscious sedative for dental patients, reducing anxiety and pain. While its use as a general anesthetic has declined, it remains valuable in modern dentistry.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nitrous oxide has a long history of use in dental anesthesia.
- Current dental practices rarely use nitrous oxide for general anesthesia.
- Its application as a conscious sedative is widespread and successful.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical and current applications of nitrous oxide in dentistry.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of nitrous oxide as a conscious sedative.
- To highlight its role in managing dental anxiety and pain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of nitrous oxide's clinical use in dentistry.
- Analysis of its application as a conscious sedative versus general anesthetic.
- Examination of reported side effects and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Nitrous oxide is extensively used as a conscious sedative in contemporary dentistry.
- It effectively reduces patient anxiety and provides supplemental analgesia.
- Hypoxic general anesthetic techniques with nitrous oxide are uncommon in the US.
Conclusions:
- Nitrous oxide is a remarkably safe and effective agent when used appropriately in dentistry.
- Its primary role is as a conscious sedative, not a general anesthetic.
- The agent demonstrates a low incidence of side effects given its widespread use.