Nitrous Oxide vs Valium (Dentist)

[sam_gordon]

OK, first, I hate going to the dentist.

Because of that, it's been a couple of years since I've been and my old dentist has gone out of business. So I'm looking for a new dentist. Ever since I was a kid, if I had to have work done (more than routine cleanings, I'm talking fillings, etc), I've had them give me Nitrous Oxide.

So as I'm looking for a new dentist, one of the questions I'm asking is if they offer Nitrous. A couple of them have responded and say no, they just provide Valium. I know how nitrous works on me (well), but don't know if valium would be the same, better, or worse. Do I just write off the dentist who doesn't offer nitrous? My gut says 'yes', but maybe I'm missing something.

Thoughts?

 

[Kitty 34]

I hate going to the dentist, too. I would so prefer Nitrous Oxide over valium. Actually I'm in the camp of just put me out, do everything, then wake me up.

 

[wvjules]

I have never had Valium for the dentist but I have had nitrous. I felt a little loopy but was fully aware and still had discomfort, but it was a much better experience than when I don't have it. It also leaves the body quickly whereas Valium stays with you longer and you might need more "down time." I have dental anxiety, and very painful cleanings due to sensitivity and bone loss, so I would NOT go to a dentist that isn't able to give me the option of Nitrous.

 

[lifesavacation]

Valium stays in your system a long time and would keep you from driving yourself home so I would definitely opt for the nitrous. My dentist happens to be a friend and he always offers it to me because he knows I'm anxious. I believe he told me it wears off right away.

 

[JaxDad]

I've never had nitrous oxide (at the dentist), but they did give me valium when I had my wisdom teeth pulled in the military. I don't remember any pain during the procedure, but I do remember being pretty happy.

I can't remember what they gave me for my colonoscopy, but that was the good stuff! I went straight into a deep sleep and woke up without feeling groggy at all about 15-20 minutes later.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I mean, you might want to check Help of a dentist-review site if one exists; But I can't see Valium doing what you need.

 

[cabanafrau]

I've never had anything but the local anesthetic at the dentist. I never even had that until I had to have a wisdom tooth pulled after I had my first daughter. I had my childhood dentist until I was in my 40s as well. Having to start with a new dentist was traumatic, particularly since in those years I've finally required more dental work that necessitated the anesthetic. My new dentist has a different method for applying the local which makes it more comfortable.

Ask around, see if you get a consensus for a great dentist and you may wind up pleasantly surprised that it's not as much of an ordeal as you're thinking. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

 

[DuskKodesh]

I've had both and a long history of dental anxiety. (Please note there is a great dental fear forum out there that lists accommodating dentists in different states. It was a godsend after I got a few terrible ones. One who told me to just 'put on my big girl pants' to deal with the anxiety, and another who said he'd do no shots then on the gas I opened my eyes with a needle in my mouth.)

The nitrous never effected me like most people. I'd feel relaxed but never lost consciousness or fell asleep at all. I'd be answering questions still on it coherently and when they turned it off I'd be fine in minutes. Maybe it depends on dosing but I still had to have someone hold me down to get shots if they had to do work, and I was still anxious as heck. Better than not having it though.

The valium hit me hard the first time. So hard they cut the dose after that. I was loopy and there's a big gap in my memory from me taking the pills until waking up from a nap at 6pm that day. Apparently things went okay but I asked for tacos about five times on the way home and wouldn't believe my family when they said I'd already asked... subsequent visits with a smaller dose went much better. I only take it when I need a shot and I still have hubs cover my eyes but my nervousness is an eighth of its usual presence. What helped me the absolute most was finding a GOOD dentist. He does injections slow and they actually don't hurt! He's soft and kind and his assistants talk with me about Disney. They've done more for my anxiety than anything else I've tried.

 

[Moliphino]

Nitrous oxide makes me super paranoid, so I would love valium instead. I had valium for my eyelid surgery and it was lovely.

 

[skyblue17]

The nitrous never effected me like most people. I'd feel relaxed but never lost consciousness or fell asleep at all. I'd be answering questions still on it coherently and when they turned it off I'd be fine in minutes. Maybe it depends on dosing...

That is how nitrous is supposed to work. It's commonly referred to as "happy gas" because it doesn't actually put you to sleep or numb you, it just relaxes you and curbs anxiety. You would absolutely still be coherent and aware, you just wouldn't care as much that you were.

 

[Moliphino]

I can't remember what they gave me for my colonoscopy, but that was the good stuff! I went straight into a deep sleep and woke up without feeling groggy at all about 15-20 minutes later.

Sodium pent? I had that for my wisdom teeth and an endoscopy/colonoscopy.
For my wisdom teeth they started me on nitrous oxide, then were having trouble finding a vein for the sodium pent. The nitrous made me feel super paranoid and I was getting ready to scream if they couldn't knock me out when BAM! unconscious.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’ve had valium for enough medical procedures to know I could never have a prescription without abusing it. The first time was an MRI, I’m very claustrophobic, it was wonderful. I had a Valium IV drip for my wisdom teeth, glorious. I also had an Ativan shot once to lower my heart rate, I went from extremely cranky (in the ER) to “well isn‘t this nice.”

 

[DuskKodesh]

That is how nitrous is supposed to work. It's commonly referred to as "happy gas" because it doesn't actually put you to sleep or numb you, it just relaxes you and curbs anxiety. You would absolutely still be coherent and aware, you just wouldn't care as much that you were.

That's actually great to know. I was confused because it knocks my sister right out. Like drooling in her sleep level out. I assumed that was the ideal.

 

[_19disnA]

My experience with most dentists is they seem in a hurry to get your procedure done within the allowed time due to insurance, capacity, whatever ...........and don't seem to care if you find what they are doing awkward or uncomfortable. My dentist gives some type of topical pain killer when doing basic procedures like cleaning or fillings. For tooth extraction, it was some kind of shot but I never asked what it was. I think they prefer you are NOT asleep as more can go wrong that way or some have reactions to certain drugs. After a tooth removal, they write a prescription for pain relief after you get home, but you only take them 'as required'. Most of the time I never use them up as there wasn't any residual pain, but imagine that varies based on what exactly they were doing.

 

[sam_gordon]

That is how nitrous is supposed to work. It's commonly referred to as "happy gas" because it doesn't actually put you to sleep or numb you, it just relaxes you and curbs anxiety. You would absolutely still be coherent and aware, you just wouldn't care as much that you were.

That's how it works for me. And I found a dentist that will use it!

 

[tinkerhon]

Nitrous, but if you start feeling really funny, tell them to lower it - my hygienist once turned into a cat while I had the gas on, and I knew they had to lower the amount !

 

[Dan Murphy]

I can't remember what they gave me for my colonoscopy, but that was the good stuff! I went straight into a deep sleep and woke up without feeling groggy at all about 15-20 minutes later.

Most likely propofol.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

OK, first, I hate going to the dentist.

Because of that, it's been a couple of years since I've been and my old dentist has gone out of business. So I'm looking for a new dentist. Ever since I was a kid, if I had to have work done (more than routine cleanings, I'm talking fillings, etc), I've had them give me Nitrous Oxide.

So as I'm looking for a new dentist, one of the questions I'm asking is if they offer Nitrous. A couple of them have responded and say no, they just provide Valium. I know how nitrous works on me (well), but don't know if valium would be the same, better, or worse. Do I just write off the dentist who doesn't offer nitrous? My gut says 'yes', but maybe I'm missing something.

Thoughts?

Nitrous makes me jumpy, I hate it crawling skin feeling. I've never tried valium, but a xanax a couple hours before your appointment will do wonders.