The use of relative analgesia in the prosthetic treatment of the 'gagging' patient

Obtaining a stable and retentive denture base is a major factor in achieving a successful outcome when providing complete or partial removable dentures.The best results are obtained when the denture bases are well extended, especially in the upper arch.This is complicated when the patient experiences difficulty with the impression phase of treatment due to a hypersensitive gag reflex. Relative Analgesia (RA), also termed inhalational sedation, may be employed to facilitate the taking of dental impressions in patients with a hypersensitive gag reflex.Three patients, who had previous failed attempts to produce a satisfactory dental impression, have been used to illustrate the technique and outcome. It must be noted that the concentration of nitrous oxide required to produce suppression of the gag reflex will vary from patient to patient.This may be irrespective of size and weight; therefore each subject should be individually monitored. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Relative analgesia (inhalational sedation) may be employed to facilitate the taking of dental impressions in patients with a hypersensitive gag reflex.