Orthodontic extractions: a comparative study of inhalation sedation and general anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare directly inhalation sedation and general anaesthesia in terms of treatment success rate, various aspects of morbidity and time taken, when used for patients having orthodontic extractions.


METHODS
Patients requiring orthodontic extractions were treated with either inhalation sedation or general anaesthesia. The two groups were matched for age, sex, number of teeth extracted and pre-operative anxiety. Data were collected by questionnaires.


METHODS
Unit of Paediatric Dentistry at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester.


METHODS
All patients referred for orthodontic extractions between November 1994 and May 1996 were invited to take part in the study. Total number of patients = 101.


METHODS
Sixty-six patients commenced treatment with inhalation sedation and 35 with general anaesthesia. Routine orthodontic extractions were carried out.


METHODS
Treatment success rate, various aspects of morbidity and total time taken were measured and compared for the two groups.


RESULTS
Treatment success rates were high for both groups. Significantly less morbidity was found to be associated with inhalation sedation and the total time taken was significantly shorter with inhalation sedation than with general anaesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhalation sedation is a successful alternative to general anaesthesia for orthodontic extractions with patients experiencing less morbidity and the time taken being shorter.
Shepherd
A R
AR
Oldham NHS Trust, Cannon Street Health Centre.
Hill
F J
FJ
D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000379:methods; D014081:Tooth Extraction