Effect of nitrous oxide-oxygen conscious sedation on the reaction of children towards an inferior alveolar nerve block - A preliminary investigation

The administration of local anesthesiais potentially the most anxious aspect of the dental procedure for children. A comfortable local anasthetic experience can lay the foundation for the development of a positive attitude towards dental treatment. Though, it is a well-known fact thatNitrous oxide-Oxygen(N₂O-O₂)sedation is an excellent adjunct to lessen anxiety and pain, very few studies have specifically evaluated its efficacy as a supplementary aid to the comfortable administration of local anesthesia in children. Hence the purpose of the study was to assess reaction of children on receiving an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) under N₂O-O₂ inhalational sedation vs. an oxygen placebo. The study design is parallel, randomised, double blind.20 children were divided into two groups. Children in Group A were administered N₂O-O₂ and children in Group B were administered an-oxygen placebo. An IANB was administered to the children for the required dental procedure in both the groups. The observations were recorded by a blinded observer using the Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (FLACC) behavioral pain assessment scale. The data was analysed using the Chi-Square test.As evaluated by the FLACC scale, 80% of the children in Group A were 'Relaxed' and 20% showed 'Mild discomfort'. In Group B, 30% of the children had 'Moderate pain' and 70% of the children had 'severe discomfort'. The difference between Group A and Group B was statistically significant. (P = 0.05). Reaction of childrenunder N₂O -O₂ sedation, to the IANB was significantly lower compared to children administered with only oxygen.