A comparison of Entonox and nitrous oxide for inhalation sedation in dentistry.

It has been shown that inhalation o f nitrons oxide/oxy­ gen mixtures in a concentration greater than 50 per cent may produce general anaesthesia. Inhalation sedation in dentistry, carried out by a single operator/sedationist, re­ quires that no loss o f consciousness must occur. It has been suggested, therefore, that the use of Entonox/oxygen mixtures which ensure that the inhaled nitrous oxide concentration will be less than 50 per cent, might in­ crease safety. A single blind trial was performed on 29 subjects to determine whether a 50 per cent maximum concentration o f nitrous oxide in oxygen using Entonox would satisfy a dentist's clinical requirements. Analysis of the subjective and objective responses showed that ni­ trous oxide in the form o f Entonox satisfied the dentist's clinical requirements under these experimental condi­ tions. OPSOMMING Dit is al bewys dat die inasem van distikstofn', ,-d/suurstof mengsels in ’n konsentrasie van meer ax persent algemene narkose kan veroorsaak. Inhalasie sedasie in tandlieelkunde wat dear ’n enkele persoon toegedien word, vereis dat daar geen verlies van bewussyn mag plaasvind nie. Dit word dus voorgestel dat die gebruik van Entonox/suurstof mengsels wat verseker dat die distikstofoksied wat ingeasem word minder as 50 persent is, groter veiligheid mag verseker. ’n Enkele blinde proefneming is op 29 persone onderneem om vas te stel o f n 50 persent maximum konsentrasie van distikstofoksied in suurstof in die vorm van Entonox aan die kliniese benodighede van die tandarts sal voldoen. 'n Analise van die subjektiewe en objektiewe reaksies het getoon dat dis­ tikstofoksied in die vorm van Entonox aan die beltoefles van die tandarts voldoen onder hierdie eksperimentele toestande.