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Original poster

Sedation

33 replies

jollyranch · 23/02/2022 12:07

Am I being unreasonable to be absolutely bricking it for conscious sedation next week?
I have a decayed back molar tooth that has been causing me agony for weeks, I was referred by my regular dentist to a private one to have it removed due to it being difficult to remove the tooth. After speaking to the dentist today to confirm the appointment they've informed me it will only be around 15 minutes long? This seems to short to be sedated?! I'm terrified especially since dp has to wait outside the building for me to be escorted out after! What does it feel like? Will I hear them remove the tooth? The thought of it all is making me feel ill Confused

OP posts:
Waystation · 23/02/2022 12:11

Had this twice - all I remember is them giving me the injection - next thing they were asking me if I was okay, I honestly don’t remember anything and I think that’s normal - try not to worry.

bbtatoes · 23/02/2022 12:13

It's lovely op! Grin

I love sedation, locals, anything. General is the best when you get a shot of morphine after.

iklboo · 23/02/2022 12:13

DH has had it twice. He said all he remembers is being given it then me & him mum (driving us home) coming into the room later.

RoseDog · 23/02/2022 12:15

It's the best thing ever, I was aware of the pulling the tooth but didn't care and I'm the most anxious person ever at the dentist!

Shelby2010 · 23/02/2022 12:15

You won’t be able to tell the difference between conscious sedation & general anaesthetic. You’ll just go to sleep & wake up with no memory of what happened.

itssquidstella · 23/02/2022 12:15

I had it when I had a wisdom tooth removed. I came to surrounded by a semi circle of hysterical doctors and nurses. I'd clearly been talking absolute bollocks whilst I was under; I also apparently insisted that they give me my tooth to take home with me.

So it wasn't scary from a medical perspective but I am slightly horrified by what embarrassing things I might have said/confessed. At least I'll never know, I suppose!

SittingOvation · 23/02/2022 12:16

@Waystation

Had this twice - all I remember is them giving me the injection - next thing they were asking me if I was okay, I honestly don’t remember anything and I think that’s normal - try not to worry.
Same! I asked when they were going to do the procedure and they said they'd already finished. I didn't even feel groggy although I did talk rubbish for a few mins.

It was great, don't worry!

GiveYourHeadAWobble · 23/02/2022 12:17

I really enjoyed sedation. It has a similar feeling to alcohol - it’s sort of mood-enhancing and reduces anxiety. I just remember feeling really pleasantly woozy with a strong sense of well-being. When it was over I felt absolutely fine, too.
I’d much prefer to have sedation than a general anaesthetic.

ParisNext · 23/02/2022 12:20

It was lovely!! Nothing to worry about at all you won’t really be aware of anything.

Original poster
jollyranch · 23/02/2022 12:21

Thank you all! Can I ask how long the whole procedure lasted?

OP posts:
Amnotamug · 23/02/2022 12:23

I had midazolam as sedation to remove my back tooth…bloody marvellous!

Rory1234 · 23/02/2022 12:29

I had a tooth removed under conscious sedation and they said I was only ‘under’ for about 10 mins. They had me hang around afterwards for a while (an hour) and obviously couldn’t drive myself home and had to have someone with me when I left.

incognitoforthisone · 23/02/2022 12:34

I had exactly this procedure done under sedation. I would actually have been more than happy to stay fully conscious, as I'm not squeamish about teeth or anything, but the dentist said it would be too tricky a job for that.

All I remember from the sedation is them telling me that I was about to start feeling 'very sleepy, a bit like you're very drunk' and then waking up and being told it was all done. I had a very, very vague notion that I could feel something pushing at my face for a second, but it was only after I'd woken up that I really even registered that - a bit like remembering a fragment of a dream. And it wasn't remotely distressing or uncomfortable - I don't even think I thought to wonder what it even was!

I was only under sedation for about 10 minutes, although I had to ask them how long I'd been asleep because I honestly couldn't have guessed if I'd been out for two seconds or 12 hours!

I was very woozy afterwards and slept for most of the afternoon at home, but I didn't feel sick or 'hungover' like you would from a general anaesthetic.

Original poster
jollyranch · 23/02/2022 12:41

Thank you all this is really reassuring! I'm glad 15 minutes seems to be the rough amount of time as wouldn't want my partner sat outside for ages with our dd in the car! I just keep telling myself it'll be worth it and the relief I'll feel to not be in agony all day everyday will be worth it!

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 23/02/2022 12:41

I had conscious sedation for dental implant work and I was aware of everything that was going on, but not in a scary way. I was extremely relaxed and the procedure passed in a pleasant haze. No after effects at all. The alternative was a general which I preferred not to have due to cost mainly.

bbtatoes · 23/02/2022 12:58

@itssquidstella

I had it when I had a wisdom tooth removed. I came to surrounded by a semi circle of hysterical doctors and nurses. I'd clearly been talking absolute bollocks whilst I was under; I also apparently insisted that they give me my tooth to take home with me.

So it wasn't scary from a medical perspective but I am slightly horrified by what embarrassing things I might have said/confessed. At least I'll never know, I suppose!

My mum did similar, apparently she basically gave an Oscars speech thanking the dentist/assistants for their hard work Grin

ThePontiacBandit · 23/02/2022 13:09

Conscious sedation shouldn’t put you to sleep..by definition you should be conscious! It makes you feel more relaxed, maybe things get a bit hazy. Noise wise you could ask if you could wear headphones to distract you maybe?

Rory1234 · 23/02/2022 13:11

I have had conscious sedation several times and have never remembered anything Blush I must be extremely suggestible!

ChipButtyCurrySauce · 23/02/2022 13:27

I fell asleep through my first one....woke up in a fit of goggles that lasted ages. Was awake the second time but felt drunk/spaced out. Didn't feel a thing!

thereisonlyoneofme · 23/02/2022 14:06

i have this every time. The worst thing about it is the needle in your arm/hand ! You are not completely out its usually called twilight sleep but you wont know anything about it. Best thing that ever happened in dentistry !

user1471517095 · 23/02/2022 14:21

I had it in October for a Molar removing. I was definitely awake but so woozy I couldn't have cared less. (I was convinced I would never be like that as I was frightened to death!) Mine took 40 minutes in the end as the roots were curled so the tooth was broken into parts to remove it. I never noticed a thing.

Liamgallaghersparka · 23/02/2022 14:22

My dad had this, he came round and asked the dentist if his assistant was his girlfriend 😂

Liamgallaghersparka · 23/02/2022 14:23

All went well btw.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 23/02/2022 14:32

I've had it a few times, all been great but I have definitely been aware for at least some of the procedure and can remember parts of it. I didn't care at all though and it was lovely! Had it for longer procedures, some dental, one surgical.

Valeriekat · 23/02/2022 17:22

Don't worry, it is lovely and I would never go back to no sedation at the dentist and wonder why I had to wait until I was in my 60s.