AIBU to consider paying for sedation because of severe dental anxiety?

[TheOpalFox]

I’m petrified of the dentist and need work doing but I suffer too badly from dental anxiety and have been putting it off for yeahs .

Has anyone paid loads of money to be sedated? I can pay over a grand and be sedated to have work done? I know it’s expensive but im petrified! And I have heard sedation is good? So im willing to pay it if it helps?
Because everyday feel like my teeth are getting worse and worse 😞

I’ve just had sedation for a root canal filling. Definitely worth it. I was awake but so relaxed and a bit sleepy almost.

You could get the dentist to prescribe diazapam ahead of appointment to take ahead of treatment starting

Dental health is so important.
If sedation means you can have the work done in the least stressful way, do it.

Have you done some research? Is it really that much?

Yes I have it, it's the only way I can have dental work done. Last lot was 2 yrs ago, I had a couple of extractions and about 4 fillings. Cost around 2K and sedation cost £500 of that. Absolutely worth it and that was the second time I'd had it. I barely recall anything of what happened.

I took diazepan for a wisdom tooth extraction. (Admittedly I didn't tell the dentist which was bad and not recommended!)

Speak to the dentist, they will be used to people being terrified.

Yes, I've had sedation twice for wisdom tooth removal. Worth it. I was drooling, bloody and very happy afterwards 🙂

Have you tried diazepam? I'm super nervous at the dentist but needed 2 teeth extracted. For some reason the thought of sedation made me more anxious - my friend had it on the nhs for wisdom teeth extraction and I went with her as someone had to escort her home - she said she could feel everything but somehow couldn't communicate/move to tell them. The dentist said this was a false memory and her brain playing tricks on her, but it worried me.

So GP prescribed me diazepam and I took it 30 mins before appointment. I paid privately to have it done by an oral surgeon and it was over before I knew it. I could talk to him and aware of everything but just felt chilled.

There’s a dentist in Lancashire if you’re anywhere near that’s amazing and also offers sedation. If you’re too scared to go in they will also come and meet you for a coffee etc

Sedation is amazing. Have trauma from a childhood experience and paid £900 for sedation for a removal. Worth every penny

We paid for our 18 year old with ASD to have sedation. She just couldn’t manage the treatment otherwise. It was a lot of money but a positive experience. If you can afford then go for it. Dental heath is so important.

Conscious sedation is a fantastic option for someone with a dental phobia. The best thing for me is that you don't lay down any memories so the treatment doesn't add to any trauma you've experienced previously.

I can remember slight things (the dentist telling me not to screw up my face so tightly).

Worth every penny in my opinion. My overall dental health is so much better.

But go and talk to them. Write down your history. And only ever accept an appointment with someone that you trust and who seems to understand and empathise.

I had it and I’d do it again. In fact, I will when I need to go back 😀

I don't dick around with benzos - and that is what they use for conscious sedation here. So I just take a hip flask to my lovely dentist and he allows me to take a slurp, I get drunk on the tiniest amount though. Would alcohol work for you? I know it does not for some people, but this is my go-to choice for dental work.

I have quite a full on phobia. Even just having metal tools in my mouth is impossible if I'm conscious. So I had sedation for a routine matter, after over 25 years of not seeing a dentist at all. It was the only way I could have a check-up. Luckily my teeth were fine.

I was also completely sedated for an extraction a few years later (broken tooth, not decayed, I really am lucky not to have needed a dentist before or since!) So whatever I paid the twice I've been knocked out has been absolutely necessary, absolutely worth it. I think it was £800 the first time in about 2018 & maybe £1,200 the second time in 2020, about 4 days before lockdown.

Not for dental work but I had sedation when I had keyhole surgery on my eye and it was bloody lovely stuff. I was completely coherent, able to hold a conversation, completely aware of what was happening, I just didn’t care about it. I felt blissfully calm and serene. It was wonderful.

I’ve had sedation twice on the NHS. Obviously you have to be referred and it takes a lot longer for the treatment to take place but it doesn’t cost anything.
Excellent treatment both times.

Normal dentist or a specialist dentist please ?

It’s about £3000 :( which is scary but I think it might be the only way I cope :(

My teeth are in a terrible state, I never realised sedation was an option. I just phoned around. I've found a local dentist who has a 'sister' practice that offers sedation. So I'm going local for the dental plan, then to be sedated, then back local. The sedation alone is £375.

4 times I’ve had it now. I can handle the needle in my arm, just look away. I joke about getting a nap because I do fall asleep. I’ve chosen to wait for it rather than cope with seeing the needle come towards my face. I’d suffered recurring infections out of fear then I got an abscess. Honestly wished I’d done it sooner after the first. Worth every penny

Well done you! It's been life-changing for me as I no longer worry I can't get my teeth treated if they need it. Not all dental practices offer it of course, my usual dentist didn't so I was referred onwards.

Sedation is usually up to 300 so not sure what you are being quoted for there!

May be connected to the time you are under sedation? Mine cost £500 but I had a 1.5 hr appointment so being sedated for quite some time (which of course requires constant monitoring and adjustment of sedation level if needed).

I’ve never been sedated for dental work but just sending solidarity to you OP and everyone else as I am also absolutely terrified of the dentist after bad childhood experiences. I recently had three fillings done and I have to basically force myself to go to my appointment. I always reflect on it afterwards and think it’s never as bad as I think it’s going to be and the worst bit is the build up, waiting in the waiting room and waiting for the needle to numb my mouth. Once they’ve done that bit, I’ll usually be able to go in to some sort of ‘zone’ and lie extremely still and let them get it done as fast as possible. It’s a horrible phobia to have so I really sympathise with you all!

Oh and I usually treat myself to something nice afterwards!

Do what you need to do to get your teeth sorted. Dont leave it. You could lose your teeth if you do.
I pay £800 every 6 months for iron transfusions because my GP is so useless. Ill pay for my health needs if I need to.
Im currently having dental implants.