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.

Had it several times. Dental phobia, couldn’t even bear opening my mouth!
You dont feel anything because you are in La-la land. Like a GA they count back from 10 and by 7 you are out.
I know it is easy for me to say, I was so anxious the first time I couldn’t move from the car. My dad had to come in with me, I was clutching on to my handbag. Couldn’t even speak properly.
And then… to be quite frank, it was lovely. Once it’s done you will need someone with you to get you home. I went home and went straight to sleep every time and I have chronic insomnia.
Rest assured from someone with severe dental phobia, it’s the best invention ever!

My adult DD who has severe learning difficulties had this IV sedation, where she was still conscious, a few months ago. (I thought she would be asleep so was amazed to discover she wasn't.)

The total cost including preliminary consultations with the senior dentist and anaesthetist, on the day diazepam to be taken 1 hour in advance, IV sedation via cannula in her arm, full check up, repair of broken front tooth and full scale and polish was £1519.

She was absolutely fine!

Massive relief as the special needs NHS clinic she used to attend previously were pretty rubbish and flatly refused to do any sedation or what they classed as cosmetic - i.e broken tooth ☹️.

She's booked in again for a check up and another scale and polish, again with sedation in a few months so will be hundreds again but I'm really not bothered as the most important thing to me is she is finally under a great dental practice and her teeth will be well cared for.

Seriously, if you can afford it I can highly recommend this IV sedation.

I’m going to go against what others have said. My dd has severe dental and needle phobia. She needed to have 6 fillings done.

She took diazepam to keep her calm enough to go in the car to the dentist.

Then gas and air to get her in a state to cope with putting the cannula in.

Then IV sedation for the duration of the fillings work.

When under IV sedation she was still very distressed, reacting to the vibrations of the drill etc. She wasn’t in any pain, but she was definitely highly anxious and distressed.

HOWEVER, within minutes of leaving the dental surgery, she couldn’t remember anything at all about the whole process. She didn’t even remember taking the gas and air.

She talks much more positively about being able to cope with future treatment, as long as she can have diazepam, gas and air, and IV sedation. In fact, she recently had a scale and polish with adhesive removal (from previous braces) - with all the same sedation.

To those asking, I'm an NHS patient in scotland, referred to this clinic by my own dentist as the extractions are complex and I have severe dental anxiety.

I think so long as it chills me out enough to get the treatment done and then I forget all about the sensations/frozen feeling afterwards then I'll be fine. DH insists that it is worth the extra cost, whatever that may be. And to be honest, I don't really see the alternative for me.

Called the clinic this morning to make an appointment and asked for sedation so I'll have a consultation in a couple of weeks and then we'll make an appointment for the extractions from there. Hopefully it doesn't bankrupt me! Ha!

I had Iv sedation for a tooth removal a few years ago.
Sedation all the time.
I remember feeling very spaced out, I think I would feel like I had done drugs, I have nearly done drugs.
No memory of it and slept after it xx

That's great you called them 🙂

I've made a provisional appointment for a few weeks time, just need to confirm that someone can bring and collect me because of the sedation, I'm glad I rang but also nervous 😬

I wanted to update in case anyone is curious as to how it went.

I had the teeth extracted today with the IV sedation and while I was aware of everything happening and can remember it all, I didn't feel scared or anxious during the procedure. I was also booked in for a 45 minute appointment and while the procedure took about 30 minutes it honestly felt like it was over in about five. Id totally recommend it for you're feeling really anxious.

It's been about four hours since I had the teeth out so the anaesthetic has now worn off. Only one tooth (the back one with the longest root and stitches) is hurting despite paracetamol and I've still got some very minimal bleeding which is gross. Hoping my next round of painkillers and the icepack I'm using for 20 minutes at a time will start to help.

Oh well done @MoreAdventurous that is such good news!
I did very gentle warm salt water rinses after my extraction too, that seemed to calm it all down. I didn’t realise how long the hole would be there for, it took weeks to close up so just bear that in mind, another good reason to do the rinses, keep it clean, especially after eating. I kept thinking it would be healed and closed over in days, like when mine and my kids baby teeth fell out!

Well done. Now you can tell other nervous people how good it is