IV sedation for tooth extraction

[Pringle84]

Hi, just wandering if anyone has had iv sedation before for tooth extraction. Im feeling more anxious about having the iv sedation than the teeth removed. Im having it because I suffer with vertigo so can't lay flat.
But I hate the feeling of being out of control so im worrying about the iv sedation. Any experience would be good. Tia

I had some extensive work done last year under sedation. I am petrified of the dentist and had teeth that were broken and everything needed an industrial level of cleaning. I managed to get through the initial examination (just!) but there was no way in the world that I was going to be able to sit in the chair for the actual work.

My dentist was lovely and I had an appointment with the anaesthetist who explained everything - they couldn't have been kinder and there was no overt judgement at any point.

I was petrified, but they gave me an injection and I don't remember a thing until I woke up and it was all done. I used to spend every day in despair about the state of my teeth, and to know that everything was "fixed" was amazing. I slept for a few hours afterwards at home. I'm never going to have gleaming white teeth, but that's fine. They are clean and nothing is broken/loose.

Just think about how you will feel when it is over. Good luck!

Glad it all went ok for you. Do you go to sleep then? Because everyone keeps saying your awake but like out of it, andbi dont like the thought of being out of it lol. I dont like being drunk for that reason

I’ve been given a choice and have chosen a GA. I’m worried about sedation, that I’d sort of be aware but unable to say anything.

I had a back molar removed and didn’t have to lay flat? I had no sedation and it was fine. However, I know people who have had sedation for implant surgery, and they were absolutely fine with it.

I’ve had sedation twice and it was quite different experiences. The first was an injection of a high enough dose to get through the whole thing. I don’t remember any of it, I don’t remember leaving the dentist, getting home or half of what I did the rest of the day. I was obviously awake and talking but don’t remember a thing.
the second time I had a cannula, so they gave me a small dose and topped it up as needed throughout the procedure. I still don’t remember what they did, but I do remember them asking me questions a couple of times, and I remember my husband coming into the room to get me and everything after.
i would not have the injection type again, it was obviously too high a dose and while it got me through the procedure it was awful. But I would absolutely have it with a cannula again.

I don’t like feeling drunk either and sedation wasn’t like that for me, it just made me feel really sleepy and I couldn’t remember much from the extraction. It do it again if I needed another wisdom tooth out.

My DS had it. He doesn't remember the procedure or coming home. In his mind one minute he was in the waiting room and the next waking up in his room.

Been sedated twice for a tooth extraction and didn't have to lie flat, it was a normal dentist chair.

Me! I’ve had IV sedation twice for extractions and it was absolutely fine. I don’t remember a thing, except having a lovely snooze. I felt very sleepy for the rest of the day, so prepare for that ❤️

When I had a GA it was for having an impacted wisdom tooth (including jaw none) removed. I was totally under. Lovely until the pain kicked in later on after I’d come round and painkillers wore off.

I had it done years ago - was great, didn’t enjoy having the canula etc but once they administered the sedative that was it. Next thing I knew I was waking up and it was all over 🙂

I have IV conscience sedation with midazolam. I have a dental phobia and it’s the only way to have any work done. Once the drug kicks in I have no memory or fear at all. I am awake and carry out all the dentists instructions but I have no memory of it at all.

I have vertigo too and cannot lay down but recently had a tooth removed. My dentist was so good though, he knows about my vertigo and that I can’t lay flat and he did it with the chair just tilted slightly back, just enough for him to access it. I just felt like I was sat in a recliner but nowhere near flat enough to trigger my vertigo. Have you had a chat to your dentist to see if they can do this for you? I think it makes their job a bit more tricky but it is doable and I had no problems with mine and the dentist said it was fine too.

Having a filling is a different story, they use a drill that is clunky and vibrates a lot and also a much lighter one. The clunky one vibrates in my head and sets off my vertigo as I discovered last year when having a filling, it’s awful.

I’ve had midazolam for wisdom teeth removal (and another unrelated medical procedure), and have other experience too and I’d say it’s the best option. Midaz sedates but also inhibits memory formation, so basically you will be drowsy and unaware and go along with directions at the time and later you will ‘wake up’ and not know anything happened. It’s a wonderful drug.
Just to clarify an above point, to put their and your minds at ease, there is no muscle paralytic in midaz so there is no chance of waking up and not being able to say anything. Firstly, you’re not under anesthetic so not asleep, and secondly, you’d be able to speak, you just won’t remember much of it.
It’s often a warm, fuzzy, sleepy couple of hours after so a good nap on the sofa with a familiar film is just perfect.

And just to add, I don’t like the feeling of being a bit too drunk where I’m not in control but it’s nothing like that. You’re just happily going along with it because you’re in safe hands

❤️

Where are you located? How much does sedation cost? And how much dental work can usually be completed in a single session?

I have a severe dental phobia, so I'm finding it really difficult to simply contact clinics directly to ask these questions 😂

🙏

@v54321where I live sedation is £250. I can only have it done privately. The longest I’ve had I think is around 3 hours, they just keep topping up the sedation as you need it. My dental care works out to be ££££ as they tend to wait and do a few things at once but it’s the only way I can have it. Where I live the only other option is GA from the nhs which they will only do for certain things. I’m Scotland

Can you remember what position you was in?

I did ask my dentist this question but because its a top back tooth he would need me further back 😕
So he referred me to a clinic where they do sedation. But I have heard from others that they have had teeth removed while basically sitting but not sure if its been top back tooth.

Thank you, when ppl say wake up from it do you go to sleep then? Also are you able to sleep afterwards because of the gauze for the bleeding and keeping it in place.
And how long did you have someone with you for afterwards?

@Pringle84

As I understand it, you remain awake and able to comply with instructions, but I have absolutely no memory of anything. Apparently I was getting a bit "feisty" at the end (I was there for 2 hours), but I don't remember this either.

@v54321

I am in Gloucestershire. I paid about 1500. I had one very broken tooth which had been like that for 10 years - this has been "tidied up" and made safe, and I had a recently cracked incisor which they thought they might have to take out but happily they managed to repair and save it. Also a full clean on an industrial level! Obviously a full "cosmetic" repair and filling all the gaps would have been a lot more money, but to be honest, I just wanted them clean and safe - I didn't want a strange, white, perfect smile - that wouldn't be "me", but I accept that it is a personal preference.

I googled for "dentist nervous patients sedation" in my area. The place I contacted couldn't have been more helpful, non-judgemental and encouraging and I felt supported and cared for through every step of the process.

Hope you can find somewhere similar.

I chose to have IV sedation last year to get a few teeth out because of dental anxiety. Unlike others, I remember most of the procedure but I didn't care about anything being done which is completely unheard of for me. I just felt very relaxed and calm. Time seemed to move quicker too. Apparently it took about 40 minutes but it genuinely felt like about 15!

one of mine was also the back top tooth, i was just tilted back as you are for a normal dentist check up.

I feel cheated, I've had two extractions (one with a huge abscess that had swollen half my face like a balloon) and the other was proper wedged in, it was hard work getting that out - and I've never been offered any form of sedation!!

@Girlintheframe @Ump

Thank you both so much! ☺️ I'm so glad to have a safe space where I can ask questions like these. One step at a time! 💚