Effectiveness and Safety of Elevated Dosages of Nitrous Oxide on Behavior Management in Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Objective: To determine if administering a higher dosage of nitrous oxide (>50%), with a nasal hood in pediatric dental restorative procedures, can allow for a safe and more cooperative experience for the pediatric patient as measured by observable adverse reactions and the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale.

Study design: A retrospective chart review was completed of 200 patients total, 100 for each nitrous oxide (N2O) dosage group (≤50% vs >50%). Adverse reactions and The Frankl Behavior Rating Scale during pediatric restorative procedures with N2O were compared between the two dosage groups.

Results: There were few adverse reactions for both nitrous oxide groups (≤50% vs >50%) and there was no statistical difference in the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale for each group.

Conclusions: Patients given more than 50% of nitrous oxide were not found to have an increase in adverse events. Higher concentrations of nitrous oxide (>50%) were not found to be associated with a better behavior score when completing pediatric restorative procedures.

Keywords: Behavior; anxiolysis; children; nitrous oxide.