Dental Anesthesia - Other Anesthetics

Other Anesthetics

• Nitrous oxide (N₂O), also known as "laughing gas", easily crosses the alveoli of the lung and is dissolved into the passing blood, where it travels to the brain, leaving a dissociated and euphoric feeling for most patients. Nitrous oxide is used in combination with oxygen. Often (especially with children) a sweet-smelling fruity scent similar to an auto scent is used with the gas to inspire deep inhalation.
• Topical anesthetics — benzocaine, eugenol, and forms of xylocaine are used topically to numb various areas before injections or other minor procedures
• General anesthesia — drugs such as midazolam, ketamine, propofol and fentanyl are used to put the patient in a twilight sleep or render them completely unconscious and unaware of pain.
• Nebotamine a drug with similar effects to ketamine is injected into the anterior lingual glands blocking action potentials from sending signals to the myelinated nerve. The potency of the anesthetic is directly related to its lipid solubility, since 90% of the nerve cell membrane is composed of lipid.
• Midazolam (Versed), a drug that represses memories of the procedure, is usually given two hours prior to the procedure in combination with Tylenol in general anesthesia so the patient will go home with no memories of being in surgery.
• Sevoflurane gas in combination with nitrous oxide and oxygen is often used during general anesthesia followed by the use of isoflurane gas to maintain anesthesia during the procedure. In children sweet fruity scents are often used with the gases to inspire deep inhalation. Scents come in cherry, apple, bubblegum, watermelon, etc...
• Propofol a drug with similar effects to Sodium Pentathol is often used through intravenous infusion through an IV during general anesthesia after gasses are initiated.
• Morphine is often used to control pain during the dental surgery under general anesthesia. The morphine is usually administered through IV.
• Ketorolac is often administered through IV to suppress both pain and inflammation while under general anesthesia.