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Nitrous Oxide |
Outpatient
General Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as
laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous
oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous
oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed
over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them
to sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this technique as a
very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental
needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing; it is
quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling
nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all
natural reflexes.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please
inform us of any change to your child’s health
and/or medical condition.
-
Tell us
about any respiratory condition that makes breathing
through the nose difficult for your child. It may
limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
-
Let us know
if your child is taking any medication on the day of
the appointment
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Outpatient General Anesthesia
Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children,
very young children, and children with special needs that would not
allow treatment using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthesia.
General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be
the same as if your child were having their tonsils removed, ear tubes,
or hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital or outpatient
setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other
treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of
treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most
pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in
the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed
risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not
chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to
complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your
child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO
treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new
decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life
threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do
not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear
infection or cold. Should your child become ill,
contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the
appointment.
-
You must
tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is
currently taking and any drug reactions and/or
change in medical history.
-
Please
dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable
clothing.
-
Your child
should not have any food or drink after midnight
prior to the scheduled procedure.
-
The child’s
parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital
waiting room during the complete procedure. \
After the appointment:
-
Your child
will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very
closely. Keep your child away from areas of
potential harm.
-
If your
child wants to sleep, place them on their side with
their chin up. Wake your child every hour and
encourage them to have something to drink in order
to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give
your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea.
The first meal should be light and easily
digestible.
-
If your
child vomits, help them bend over and turn their
head to the side to insure that they do not inhale
the vomit.
-
Prior to
leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be
given a detailed list of "Post-Op Instructions" and
an emergency contact number if needed.
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