IV sedation for teeth extraction

[MoreAdventurous]

I have a pretty severe phobia of the dentist. Last year I managed to go to the dentist for the first time in YEARS and was told I needed a few teeth removed. They referred me to a specialist dentist for this and that's my referral finally being processed so I'll be getting my appointment soon.

It has been suggested, and I'm highly considering, getting IV sedation for the procedure as whilst I seem calm in the chair while getting dental work done I'm actually in freeze mode and terrified. I'm really worried that without sedation I'll be put off going back to the dentist again and I'm really trying to make the change to having it all being very routine - whether I need work or not.

I've read that while you have the sedation you are awake and able to do whatever is needed but that you'll have no recollection of the procedure once it wears off. Can anyone who has had it tell me if the sedation will also make me calm in the moment? Like I'm worried that I'll freak out while sedated and still really struggle to get the procedure - even if I don't remember that after.

I had it for a wisdom tooth removal and I fell asleep as soon as it was done! Woke up in a little side cubicle after and no recollection of anything at all.

I had sedation to have a tooth removed, it was very infected and injections just weren’t numbing the area. The process was fantastic, don’t remember a thing, you do need to be taken and brought home. I was talking utter goobledegook for a while after.
I had an injection somewhere, can’t remember where, hand? then counted backwards from 10, didn’t remember a thing after 7! Honestly, it was amazing, I have no memory of it.

Yes you will be calm, you are awake and will be able to answer their question etc, but you won't remember the procedure. I would definitely recommend.

I think you've both immediately convinced me to get it. I know it'll cost extra and all that rubbish but if it means I can finally get these teeth fixed - out my mouth! - then it's worth it.

i had sedation and can’t remember a thing, was like i had a nap

My son had this done a few weeks ago. We took him, he had the sedation via a cannula. He was fine, didn't remember a thing!!! He was talking funny after. I've saved the video lol

I've had sedation and GA for a very long session. Highly recommend it, there's no way I could have tolerated the treatment without the good drugs.

@MoreAdventurous good! It's absolutely worth it.

Watching with interest.

my teen is due to have 2 teeth removed before having braces fitted. shes never had or needed any dental treatment whatsoever so shes terrified. im wondering if sedation would be best for her to calm her.

I had sedation for a complex tooth removal years ago and have absolutely no memory of it. Apparently I was quite indignant that the dentist wouldn’t let me have my tooth to put on a necklace!

DH will take me and bring me home. Embarrassingly, I can't even go for a dental check up without him at the moment because the fear is so bad. I'm hopeful that getting these sorted and then going frequently will make that a thing of the past though!

I would absolutely recommend bug Check how they will sedate you. I have had it twice. First was one large dose in an injection that worked great for the extraction but I was out of it for the rest of the day. I don’t remember leaving the dentist, called people multiple times once I was home, couldn’t be left alone etc. the other time they gave me a cannula and used a lower dose that was topped up as needed. I couldn’t tell you what happened during the procedure but the recovery was so much better.

I recommend it, I had it done and it was wonderful, I remember everything but just didn’t care then had the best nights sleep ever! You need someone with you for 24hours after.

I had sedation for tooth extraction. It is bloody fantastic!

I had sedation years ago - woke up in bed at home and couldn't remember a thing. I once got diazepam tablets from the GP before a procedure - you're awake and aware but don't care what happens so it might be worth you trying this to get through a check-up (you can't drive afterwards).
My fear was because of trust issues - nowadays, as long as the dentist tells me what to expect and is honest and stops when I raise my arm, I'm fine. I had a root canal fully awake last week!

@civetcat my fear stems from trust issues too. I think that's why I freeze in the chair.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It's helped settle my nerves a little, albeit I'm still terrified. Think I'll be asking to go ahead with the IV sedation.

I had sedation for a root canal treatment. Remember thinking bet it won’t work on me. Next thing I was awake, talking utter rubbish and had to be helped out of the room. Go for it

Might depend what kind and how deep-please look into it properly. My dentist said for a wisdom tooth, the light kind would have no impact on pain, might just relax you. Yet people on here have said they were asleep/don't remember-so obviously there are different kinds. Plus I wouldn't have had to pay for it on the NHS (and I work, so I usually do pay for dental stuff-I am only saying this as clearly there's different rules, and maybe types, if I got offered it free and you're having to pay, unless you're private).

My ds had sedation for a complex extraction (required an oral surgeon, rather than a dentist). He doesn't remember a thing about the procedure itself. The surgeon told me that ds became extremely chatty but cooperated when they asked him to stop talking, and then dozed during the procedure. He was like a happy drunk when I collected him. A bit difficult to get 6'3" of happy, tipsy boy into the car! I needed help at both ends of the journey. But then he had a good long nap at home, and was pretty much sensible when he woke up.

His recollection of the procedure was sharper when he woke up, but faded over the next 24h. Same for me when I've had light oral sedation for procedures.

I’m having it for a wisdom tooth extraction soon
I’ve had upper ones before without sedation and it honestly took seconds but this is a lower and my dentist has recommended sedation
im paying privately and quoted around £650

If I could, I’d have everything done at the dentist under sedation, I just find it all really uncomfortable, I’d much rather sleep through it! Good luck and let me know what you think of it, it’s definitely the way forward.

I had it as a teen as I needed 8 baby teeth removing so I could have a brace.

I was given gas and air first as I refused to let them put the cannula in, I almost ran out the door before. I do remember a little about the procedure, the dentists were talking about the D Day landings and a few noises, but the drugs were so good that I couldn't give a shit about anything happening. I didn't feel any pain whatsoever. My parents said I asked to go back and was just laughing my head off in recovery 🤣 it turned out to be a fabulous legal high!

Honestly take the opportunity to have what you need done, dental problems as you know get worse if you leave them.

I've had it several times.
It's fantastic and it's the same from my pov as having a GA in that I feel and recall nothing.
I've learned just to go home and sleep it off afterwards as I'm so stoned 😂