Nitrous oxide-oxygen administration: when safety features no longer are safe.

Background: Nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation is used widely in dentistry because of its relative safety and efficacy. The most important safety consideration is the prevention of hypoxia. Safety features have been designed to prevent hypoxia by ensuring a minimal oxygen flow, thus limiting the amount of nitrous oxide that can be administered.

Triazolam use in the dental setting: a report of 270 uses over 15 years.

This single-site prospective study describes a technique of oral conscious sedation (OCS) that uses triazolam with either local anesthesia or the combination of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation. Over a 15-year period, 188 patients at a private dental practice were followed. Patients received one weight-based dose of triazolam 60 minutes prior to treatment to allow for 60-90 minutes of working time and an additional 60 minutes of recovery time.