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NITROUS OXIDE & OXYGEN SEDATION
Properties:
• Nitrous oxide is a non-irritating, sweet smelling, colourless inorganic gas.
• Specific gravity: 1.53 (heavier than air).
• This allows nitrous oxide to occupy the region nearest to the alveolar basement membrane by displacing air.
• Enables better absorption in the blood stream.
• It has low gas partition coefficient i.e, remains insoluble in the blood stream.
• Minimally (absorbed) metabolized by the body.
• Rapid onset and recovery.
• Is a weak anaesthetic with a Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) of 105.
• As MAC is 100, it is theoretically impossible to anaesthetize a patient with nitrous oxide alone.

OBJECTIVES:
• To reduce or eliminate anxiety.
• To reduce untoward movement and reaction to dental treatment.
• To enhance communication and patient co-operation.
• To raise the pain reaction threshold.
• To increase tolerance for longer appointments.
• To aid in treatment of the mentally/physically
• To reduce gagging.

EQUIPMENT:

INDICATIONS:
• Fearful/conscious patients for whom basic behaviour guidance technique have not been successful.
• Patient unable to cooperate due to lack of physiological/emotional maturity.
• To protect to developing patient’s psyche.(young children)
• To reduce patient’s medical risk.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• May be contraindicated in some chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
• Patients with severe emotional disturbance or drug related dependencies.
• Patients with sickle cell disease.
• Patients treated with Bleomycin sulfate

PROCEDURE:

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POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS:
• Nausea.
• Vomitting
• Diffusion Hypoxia.
• Claustrophobia
Effects Associated with Gas Accumulation:
• Tooth pain due to accumulation of gas in sinus cavity.
• Vertigo.
• Middle Ear Pain.

REFERENCES:
• Pediatric Dentistry: Principles and Practice, MS Muthu (2nd Edition).
• Pedodontics: Practice and Management, Badrinatheshwar GV.