Conscious sedation is a form of light sedation in which the patient, in this case the patient-child, remains awake, mobile, but in a calm, cooperative and safe state, and is able to respond to stimuli and verbal commands.
N2O2 (Nitrogen Protoxide) is a colourless gas with a mildly sweet odour and taste. It is not flammable, irritating or toxic.
It is a procedure that is carried out by specially trained professionals in a controlled environment and is extremely safe.
It requires nasal breathing by the patient to take effect, using a nasal mask.
We use a gaseous mixture of nitrogen protoxide and oxygen. We start with 100 per cent oxygen and increase the protoxide every 5 per cent until we reach a clinical safety maximum of 70 per cent nitrogen protoxide and 30 per cent oxygen.
To give you a very practical idea:
The air we breathe in an unpolluted environment has an average presence of 21 per cent oxygen in the gas mixture. In conscious sedation with nitrogen protoxide, in the scenario with the least oxygen in the gas mixture, we have 30 per cent oxygen.
Cannot be used in
- Pregnant women in the first trimester;
- Pneumothorax;
- Subcutaneous pulmonary emphysema;
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Children under 2 years of age
Conscious sedation is a technique that reduces fear, anxiety and even the vomiting reflex.
The recovery is total, very peaceful and takes around 10 to 15 minutes, with pure oxygen.
There is a prior induction appointment to get used to the procedure, where the patient will get to know and try out the nasal mask and gain confidence and empathy with Dr Luis Pinheiro’s team.
Conscious sedation can be used for procedures of short duration and low complexity. It is most commonly used in pediatric dentistry. However, we also use it in adult patients who are candidates for this type of sedation.
No, the patient is awake and responds to verbal stimuli from the medical team. He is in a state of relaxation, drowsiness, but is always conscious throughout the intervention.
