Conscious sedation and MEOPA
Sedation and General Anaesthesia
Despite advances in pain management and prevention, some children still experience feelings of fear and anxiety during dental treatment.
Indeed, the stress induced by the fear of the unknown and especially the fear of being hurt is likely to modify the child's behaviour in the chair, which can alter the quality of the care or even compromise it.
What is MEOPA?
MEOPA (Mixture of Equimolar Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that acts by inhalation.
Used for several years in hospitals, its use has been extended to dental practices to facilitate dental care.
This gas is breathed in through a suitable nasal mask, connected to a secure bottle. It does not put the patient to sleep, but allows him or her to relax: this is called "conscious sedation".
The use of MEOPA in the dental practice
The use of MEOPA is mainly intended for highly stressed, anxious or phobic patients, both young and old, or during heavy procedures performed under local anaesthesia.
Just before the dental treatment begins, a mask is placed over the patient's nose and mouth for a few moments. The patient is asked to breathe quietly.
MEOPA has no particular side effects. It can only make you feel tingly and even laugh.
When dental treatment begins, the mask is then placed only over the patient's nose and the patient continues to breathe calmly. It is therefore important not to have a cold.
The care will thus be carried out in good conditions. The use of MEOPA does not replace local anaesthesia, which will be carried out in the usual way.
Once the session is over, the patient will remain seated, as the effects of MEOPA wear off in just a few minutes. MEOPA is an interesting alternative to general anaesthesia because its contraindications and side effects are much less significant.
Conscious sedation for anxious children
Patients with severe fear, anxiety or oral hypersensitivity during treatment usually require treatment under general anaesthesia or conscious sedation.
Conscious sedation by inhalation of MEOPA is intended for any patient whose cooperation in the vigorous state is insufficient, i.e. young children with whom communication is difficult, anxious or phobic children and adolescents who often have memories of a previous painful medical or dental experience, and patients with special needs such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, Down's syndrome, and multiple disabilities.
General anaesthesia at the Centre Dentaire Lancy
Sedation is a form of general anaesthesia where some of the body's reflexes are retained. Safety measures will be the same as for any general anaesthetic. Sedation is mainly used for medical investigations.
The team at Centre Dentaire Lancy offers conscious sedation and MEOPA to patients requiring this additional level of treatment.
The dentists of the Centre Dentaire Lancy are available to each parent and child.