Sedation Dentistry

[Mercy]

Has anyone ever had sedation dentistry? I really need to go to the dentist, I'm embarrased to admit that I haven't been in years. I'm just too scared

If you've been, what was your experience like?

 

[bentley483]

I had a horrible experience with the dentist when I was about 9 years old. Once I got old enough, I didn't go for several years because I had a major panic attack when I even thought about going. I finally had to go and the dentist gave me laughing gas to help calm me. It worked like a charm, there were no lingering effects like drowsiness or dizziness and as soon as he was finished I got up and walked right out. You don't even have to have anyone drive you home afterwards. I would try this before I was completely sedated. There is alway a risk when they put you to sleep. Good luck and I hope it works out!

 

[connimac]

GO FOR THE GAS.......it will make the experience tolerable. I have spent what seems like YEARS in a dentist's chair and although I don't have a phobia or even a deep fear of dentists, when I have a procedure that entails much more than CLEANING I tell them I want gas. It will take away the anxiety and make you feel as comfortable as possible without actually being unconscience. Your teeth and gums are essential to your health and well being. Don't let your fear of the dentist make you sick!

Hang in there!!!!!!!

 

[Jolie C]

I was sedated when I had my wisdom teeth removed, but I wasn't completely asleep. I had WANTED to be completely asleep, but due to a medication allergy, they wouldn't do it unless I was in a hospital. So, I opted for not being totally asleep, but just really, really out of it. It's a weird memory because I remember people talking to me, but I don't remember the procedure at all and it felt like I was only there for about 5 minutes, when it was actually a LOT longer. If you don't want to be completely "under", maybe this would work for you.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

The gas is good. I get it all the time I go to the dentist...even just for a cleaning.

I also had a horrible experience with a horrible dentist when I was 17 and had my wisdom teeth removed. He treated me like crap and really did hurt me, I believe, just to cause me pain for his own sick pleasure. Anyway, even after DH and I got married and I was on his insurance plan, it still took me a while to work up the nerve to go. DH had always gone to this particular dentist and he always got the gas. I went with him for one of his appointments to see what it was like. We went ahead and made an appointment for me, and since the dentist saw how frightened I was, she also prescribed some valume to take before I showed up. The valume calmed my nerves and after I had the gas I didn't even really feel a thing. Since I was so relaxed, I ended up just taking a little nap.

Ever since then, I always get the gas...I don't take the valume anymore, but the gas works just fine.

 

[Daydreamer64]

I just had two impacted wisdom teeth and a nickle sized growth ( in jaw ) removed from my mouth yesterday, Friday, April 23 and they put me under general anest - at an indepentant surgery center across the street from our hospital. I was completely knocked out and under- didn't feel a thing except for the IV they used to get me asleep. Then they put a tube through my nose into my lungs for the breathing machine with gas- they used my nose instead of my mouth because there wasn't enough room for the surgeon to work. I was out for a bit as the lower tooth was wrapped around the jaw bone- the oral surgeon said that he would prefer that I be asleep because he was going to have a tough time removing the growth and teeth.

In this modern day and age of pain relief I think it's totally appropriate to sedate, numb or knock out people that are having painful things done to their bodies. While I would have prefered to stay awake ( I get sick from anest. and was afraid I might not wake up as I have had trouble in the past with it ) I was glad to be over and done with the surgery and not having to feel anything.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We have moved a lot. When finding a new dentist the first question I ask on the phone is if they offer nitrous oxide.
Everything else is secondary.

 

[RNMOM]

I feel bad that so many people have had bad experiences. I have been lucky to have been to only a couple bad dentists in my life. I love my dentist and have been going to him for about 15 years. I think I have single handedly put one of his kids through college with all the work I have needed. I have "pretty" teeth but very soft.

I would suggest you might try finding dentists by calling the nearest dental school, often found at universities with medical schools too. There are a lot of dentists who teach in the schools who have private practices. If they are good enough to teach, they are probably very good dentists.

If you don't like something about the dentist, don't go back. You possibly could arrange to stop in the office, meet the doctor and ask a couple questions before making an appointment for treatment. I would do that if I were to move away again.

 

[cgcw]

Nitrous Oxide can help wonders.

Last weekend, I took DS4 for a cleaning. Because he has a tooth which is dark and appeared to shift, the dentist wanted an xray. DS kept gagging on the film. A quick dose with the dentists special "astronaut mask" and DS was flying to Mars -- literally, with his little arms driving the controls and all. Needless to say, he had no problem cooperating.

The only thing I noticed the rest of the day was he was extremely crabby. If I remember when I go in next time, I will ask if this could have been a side effect or not.

Seeing how it calmed my child down, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for it if I was hesitant of work which I needed to have done.

Best of luck.