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AIBU?

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Original poster

IV Sedation.......tooth extraction.

69 replies

OwllwOOwllwO · 19/12/2012 23:22

Am I being unreasonable to be absolutely shitting myself, thinking that at 9.15am tomorrow I will be sedated and having my teeth yanked out!!!

Has anyone had this done? I'm such a wuss when it comes to the dentist. I've had this decaying tooth in my gob for 4 years Blush......and another one broken next to it......Confused

Anyway they need to come out as I've had the most severe tooth ache ever! I would certainly rather give birth again, and I only did that 6 months ago.

Has anyone undergone this method of tooth extraction? It's IV sedation where the dentist drugs you and apparently you feel drunk but not asleep. You then 'wake up' and can't remember anything even though you've been awake through the whole procedure.

Like I said I'm shitting myself but I need some reassurance!

OP posts:
sweetkitty · 19/12/2012 23:26

I had it done oh about 9 years ago now, I was sobbing a d shaking in the chair beforehand I was so scared but honestly it was great. I can remember tiny snippets like a dream but overall can't really remember, I giggled waking up then went home and crashed out for 4 hours. you will be fine

MammaTJ · 19/12/2012 23:30

I had a tooth taken out under gas and air and it was fine. I am such a wuss I have to be refered to the 'dental access centre' (the specialist wussy dentist).

I cry and shake and have to stop even an examination a couple of times.

Gas and air was fabulous, as it has been every time I have had to have it. The dentist is a specialist in dealing with scared people and was wonderful. The tooth was out before I knew it, even though she took plenty of time to make me feel at ease.

threesocksfullofchocs · 19/12/2012 23:31

I have had this done and it was really ok honest.
as the last poster said, it was like I was "aware" but dreaming.
really was so ok.

Imabadmum · 19/12/2012 23:31

Sounds fab

I had a tooth extraction a few months back, with just local anaesthetic. The tooth was infected and very very sore. I begged for sedation, but no. Anyway, it's out now, no more toothache. I bet you won't be as much of a wuss as me. And what happens at the dentists, stays at the dentist, so even if you are a proper pansy pants, no-one but you and the dentist will know (and possibly anyone in the waiting room). Not sure what sedation you are getting but I can promise you it will be better with than without.

Sorry I can't be more reassuring, but wish you the best for tomorrow, let us know how you got on xxx

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 19/12/2012 23:33

It's brilliant! I had 'conscious sedation' iv for some extensive dental work after a bad previous experience.. was a shaking mess when I arrived.. left afterwards with no memory of any of it and couldn't believe it was all over!

It is the BEST!

FrancesHouseman · 19/12/2012 23:33

I had it a year ago, it was fab! I was also very nervous but once they started injecting the sedative I was 'under' and don't remember a thing until I woke up, tottered out of the surgery and went home to bed. The very best thing about it is not being allowed to be in charge of children or drive a car for 24 hours afterwards!

As an aside, my mouth is also a lot healthier for having the bad tooth removed - mine lingered for a few years too, due to various failed treatments and a pregnancy.

cluttercluttereverywhere · 19/12/2012 23:36

I have this everytime for any dental issues. Just clear your mind before you go in there, as apparently it's like having a few drinks, & you can chat away for England, and then end up very embarrassed afterwards dentist hasn't let me forget my tales of me and the London Irish rugby club party
Seriously, it's fine, you'll just feel a bit groggy afterwards so make sure you have someone with you to take you home, and drink loads of fluids afterwards to get it out of your system. Hope all goes well for you.

louistheseventeenth · 19/12/2012 23:39

Yep I've had it four times

Four wisdom teeth that had to be taken out separately one week apart as that would minimise swelling from difficult extractions Confused

Anyway,all four times it was fine. Didn't remember much about it except I apparently really enjoyed the medication. My DH could hear me singing in the waiting room after one of them can't sing anyway and had a mouth full of dressing so you can imagine what that must have sounded like

The fear of it was much much worse than the reality.

You'll be fine x

GoldenFrankincenseAndMyrrh · 19/12/2012 23:41

I am a pathetic wuss at the dentist and had to be sedated to have a tooth removed. It was absolutely fine, honestly. You will be fine - I don't remember a thing about it.

likeatonneofbricks · 19/12/2012 23:47

er...so does this mean you can't control/remember what you said? potenatially it could be really embarassing - what if you start 'chatting' about your private life? best to go a woman dentist then, just in case Grin, they are less shockable.
I've never tried this but was definitely considering trying when somthing major comes up. Do they do this for root canals or just extractions?

crazycrackernanna · 19/12/2012 23:47

I had it 2 weeks ago.

Can't remember a thing...but sort of can remember some bits iyswim.

The nurse said to me before I went in that some people "forget to breath" and I was Confused and 'pffft forget to breathe?...perlease!'

One of the snippets I remember is someone shouting "breathe,crazy,breathe!" and them shoving that plastic oxygen thing up my nostrils, but I was breathing...I remember snorting and everything!!

But it was great...I am really nervous, and I was so relaxed. I do rememeber the dentist saying "open wide we will now take out your tooth" and I remember saying "yeah...sure no problem" Shock Normally,I would be legging it out the door at that stage Grin

likeatonneofbricks · 19/12/2012 23:48

also wondering, is the injection into a vein, or in the mouth?

crazycrackernanna · 19/12/2012 23:50

Hand or inner elbow.

onyx72 · 20/12/2012 00:02

I had conscious sedation a couple of years ago because I needed all my wisdom teeth removed, a crown fitted and a filling (I was terrified of dentists). It was fantastic. I remember sitting in the dentists chair then being told that it was all over. At one point I was vaguely aware of music playing on the radio and being told to open my mouth wider, but nothing more.

CalamityKate · 20/12/2012 00:26

Oh it's lovely! I'm a TOTAL baby about the dentist but honestly, I've had a couple of teeth out under IV sedation and its a breeze.

The first time, I was a bit worried that they wouldn't give me enough, and I'd feel pain/remember it. Apparently, as they were sedating me (I don't remember any of this) I was chanting "pump more in, pump more in".

Afterwards I sat in the waiting room with DSS, who was then about 12. DP had gone to fetch the car. I spent ten minutes rummaging around in my handbag for cigarettes, then dropped the bag on the floor, which enabled me to find my fags so I tried to light one, only to be told gently by the receptionist that they'd rather I didn't smoke in the waiting room. DSS thought it was all hilarious.

When the car arrived, DP and DSS walked me to it, one either side. According to them both it was "like taking a chimp for a walk" - hunched, head down, arms dangling. I remember bits of walking to the car; mainly DSS giggling madly.

The next time I wasn't anywhere near as out of it; I guess that first time they really did pump more in

StuntGirl · 20/12/2012 00:31

Oh god I'm so glad you posted this. I'm having one done in January and I'm absolutely bricking just having the assessment done :( All your stories are very reassuring Thanks

CalamityKate · 20/12/2012 00:54

Believe me NOBODY is more nervous of the dentist than I am.

That said, I've improved to the degree that a couple of weeks ago I had TWO FRONT TEETH OUT WITH JUST LOCAL ANAESTHETIC!!!

Very proud of self!

But honestly, sedation is the bee's whiskers. In fact I'd go as far as to say I enjoy it; as someone has said, it gives you the excuse for a lovely daytime snooze. You're all sort of spacey and relaxed after.

AmIthatTinselly · 20/12/2012 00:57

I had a tooth out this way last year. It was great, I ws a bit nervous and can remember sitting in the chair, just as Ken Bruce's popmaster came on in the surgery. I remember saying to the dentist how much I loved popmaster and the next thing I knew I was in the next room, with my mum, talking a load of shite.

I can't remember a thing, no pain, nothing. Highly recommended.

LuubyLuu · 20/12/2012 00:59

I had a messily broken tooth removed under sedation, on the recommendation of my dentist, who knew I would start shaking as soon as the instruments were in my mouth. I have ZERO recollection of being in the chair, but apparently spouted some absolute rubbish!

It did take a few days to get the sedative out if my system though, was really groggy and not good for much.

BitofSparklingPerry · 20/12/2012 01:03

I've had it done before and am now 11 months into a 12 month waiting list to get it done again.

It really is so, so much easier, and I am a total wuss.

fluffydressinggown · 20/12/2012 01:04

I have had a filling under sedation and it was great, you feel just like you have been asleep, no memory of it at all. As the sedation went in I remember feeling pleasantly drunk and then I was in a side room with the nurse and it was all over :) I remember repeating myself a few times as I 'woke' up but after half an hour or so I felt totally normal again. I think you are not allowed to drive for 24 hours afterwards?

likeatonneofbricks · 20/12/2012 01:11

is it risky at all, i.e. side effects/over dosage? they must have overdosed a bit with the poster who 'walked like a chimp' afterwards!

CalamityKate · 20/12/2012 01:14

Well to be fair I did beg them to

Ifyoulike · 20/12/2012 01:16

With most sedatives, the danger of overdosing is that you will get too knocked out, and that breathing/blood pressure etc will drop too low.

So if someone's walking at all, they're pretty much ok. Wink

They'll be watching you very carefully, and there are very likely other drugs on hand to help counteract any undesirable effects (thats the case in healthcare, not sure about dentistry firsthand, but I'm assuming so!).

BitofSparklingPerry · 20/12/2012 01:17

I remember just being kind of stoned in the side room and going out to the car, then I got me to y mums house and just collapsed asleep for the rest of the day :-)

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