Janet:

Wow, that’s a new one on me!

Although I don’t use nitrous, this is important info. Please keep us posted if you get a definitive answer.

Al

Hi All–

Great question!

The early hospital protocols develped then later borrowed to develope the Curriculim Guideline for Dental Laser Education in 1992 included this prohibition of using high powered lasers with OXYGEN.

This was because patients who had been intubated with 100% oxygen were killed when a CO2 laser hit the intubation tube.  Hence, no lasers to be used with O2.

When writing the Curriculum Gidelines for dentistry, that provision–it may have been ANSI or the American Hospital Assoc. (AHA), I don’t remember–was left in.

That proscription has no basis in science, the literature or clinical experience when using Nitrous Oxide that is not combustable.  It’s prohibition was overly cautious and misunderstood.  I’m a little surprised that is still being reported.

As I understand it, correct me if I’m wrong, oxygen is combustable, nitrous oxide merely supports a fire, but is not combustable.  

That’s what we teach in our Curriculum Guidelines for the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry.

I’ve used N2O2 with lasers for the 12+ years I have been using all sorts of lasers without worry or incident–including “free-beam” carbon dioxide lasers.

Now, when we have our patients on 100% O2, we aren’t using our lasers at that point, right?

In any event, the oxygen in the room is not enclosed as it was when that patient’s intubation tube was lased, ignited the oxygen, exploded and burned their lungs.

Our lasers won’t ingite any extra increase in partial pressure oxygen in the room,  anyway!

So….relax……inhale……and lase away!:biggrin:

Bob

Bob its great to have someone with your experience to put the fears to rest.

Awesome post even for me who doesnt have Nitrous……

PS Janet……..way to go with the laser. Parents love having it done without anesthetic dont they.

Glenn