i need the truth on iv sedation versus strong diazepam for dentist

[pinkkoala]

please can you tell me the truth on taking diazepam or iv sedation for one wisdom tooth out.

i am happy to try strong diazepan and my doctor is happy to prescribe it, but i don't fancy the thought of sedation.

my main fear is needles and not being numb enough, which would work best.

i would also like some sort of distraction if taking diazepam any ideas. i am seeing a dentist who deals with nervous patients alot and we are private, can he force me to have iv sedation as my nhs dentist wasn't happy to let me take strong dose of diazepam and have tooth out, she wanted me sedated, hence why we have now gone private.

what are the side effects of both as we are due to go to a christening the day after.

i want to overcome my fear and to be honest the thought of sedation is making me worse.

No after effects from the injection really, or whatever discomfort there is will be less than the post operative discomfort of your wisdom teeth coming out. Nurofen Plus sorts you out though.

As a nervous patient myself I can honestly say that the worry beforehand is worse than the actual needle and any pain. The panic is the most unpleasant bit it really is, or the fear of it rather. A decent dose of diazepam and possibly a relaxation technique on MP3/ipod whatever should really get you through.

Another vote for IV sedation - this helped me to overcome 2 decades of dental phobia.

I can't remember anything about the treatment (eye-poppingly bad double root canal) at all apart from swilling my mouth out at the end. Oh, and sitting in the chair at the beginning and saying "Oooh! Ishn't that GORSHEOUS!" at a picture of Dora the Explorer on the ceiling, which was truly the most moving and beautiful thing I had ever beheld (at the time).

I had injections to numb my mouth first, which was reassuring - I think this is standard as they will want to know that you have lost sensation in your mouth before sedating you.

After 40 minutes' work, I happily walked straight from the chair downstairs to a taxi (had a friend with me just in case of wobbles), then spent an afternoon watching DVDs. All fine by dinner time, slept like a log that night, bright as a button the following morning.

If you've ever had a general anaesthetic and are worried it might be similar to that, don't panic - the two experiences are completely different IME.

Good luck!

I had conscious IV sedation for tooth removal about a year ago. Let me tell you, it was FANTASTIC!

I don't remember a thing, 'woke' up later in my lounge with barely any recollection of being at the dentist at all. Felt fine apart from feeling very tired.

My fear of the dentist is horrendous and honestly IV sedation is the best discovery I have made. The dentist and the nurses were fab. I didn't feel the injection and the dentist held my hand till I went under (in tears as I was so scared ). Apparently (according to DH as I can't remember), when I went 'under' I kept asking over and over if the tooth had been taken out......and it had, I just wasn't aware of it in the slightest.

I'd say go for the IV, it's brilliant. There is a website called Dental Fear Central, go on there and ask them a few things or even just read some of the stuff other people have said, it's run by really great dentists, very sympathetic of the whole fear thing and there's zillions of info.

Good luck.

anybody else share their experience with me.

i would prefer stronger diazepam, as not keen on side effects from iv sedation.

the worst bit is the not knowing, and the needle in the gum, and making sure i am numb properley.

i have felt like thid since having my dd 4yrs ago when i had pain releif in labour and tore alot, but the midwife didn't give me enough local to do the stitches and i could feel them, i asked for me, so did my husband as by this time i had managed to get some gas and air and was a bit spaced out but was told no she couldn't give me anymore.

hence the phobia now.

i had one out with no sedation just a local injection, it was fine honestly everyone made me worry so much about it prior but it was ok. The after pain was manageable with otc pain killers (get a prescription/buy some corsodyl mouthwash to prevent infection, my dentist also gave me a prescription just oin case of infection which i didnt need but it was great that if i had i didnt have to go back)

I understand you dont want to do it like that but just so you know it isnt as bad as the waiting to have it done is!

Dh had sedation yesterday for a filling as he is a very nervous patient (has had alot of work done under sedation now), i had to drive him as you arent allowed to drive/drink/operate machinery etc for 24 hours, when i took him home he was a bit out of it, talking nonsense and falling asleep but able to walk etc, he then napped all afternoon. He seems to quite like it, always says "I must get some of this"

Do you have to have it the day before christening? My cheek was still swollen the next day so i wouldnt have been to keen on my pic being taken (and dependant upon time of appointment you might still be in 24 hr period?) You also wont be enjoying eating at that point

i don't really want sedation, we have just been and got an ipod to distract me, also doc will give me strong dose of diazepam and dentist local, do you think i will cope.

YES. You will cope. Try to stop worrying. Start telling yourself you will get through it.

With the diazepam and the distraction of the ipod you will be FINE.

had all my wisdom teeth taken out with just injections and really wasn't bad - not painful hell like long complex root canal treatment. i had two out at a time. unless you've got some weird roots tangled up thing going on it should be straightforward.

5mg of valium would make you feel relaxed, sleepy and be an anti-anxiety. it is also a muscle relaxant helping with pain and i think magnifies the effect of other sedatives, painkillers etc. if you are not used to it you wouldn't want to drive or plan to do anything after. you may want a long sleep, feel dehydrated and a bit flat and out of it that evening and night - these are depressants but a one off dose if you got plenty of sleep, drank plenty of fluids, ate well etc i reckon you'd be fine the next day.

as for distractions i'd say practice breathing and relaxation techniques beforehand for the injections time but to be honest one tooth, uncomplicated (and presumably you've had x-rays) is going to be a quick procedure. and it's not like the shots for root treatment where they've got to get the anaesthetic into a really precise difficult little area to get it numb and can get it wrong and start and it still hurts and all that horror they've just got to block the whole area out and someone said up above it's different stronger shots. the valium should help you be more relaxed for the shots and if not hurt less create a detachedness kind of sense from the sensation. i used valium when i had biopsies and treatments on my cervix and was glad i did.

don't know if this is any help but good luck.

i have to have another x ray as the one they did couldn't get my wisdom tooth as too far back.

we are seeing a different dentist this time as two from the nhs practice where we go wouldn't let me get stronger dose of diazepan, they wanted to sedate me, even when i said point blank, no to sedation, basically i was then told that they wouldn't do it, needless to say i husband was not impressed, he came with me for support.

just a few questions.

1.how many injections is there.
2.how long will it take.
3.will there be much bleeding.
4.will i feel any pain
5.how will i feel afterwards.
hope someone can answer my questions.

as i responded on your other thread had tooth out last monday with only injection in the sight and it did not hurt at all completlety numb.the noise was the worst thing as it was a top tooth. felt bruised for a couple of days like someone had punched me.

understand you are really scared. my experience of Diazepam is i was woozy even the day after and felt really hungover. i wouldn't have ben able to socialize.

i had 2 injections for the one tooth. one on the outside of the gum one on inside/roof of my mouth bit.

bled for about an hour but they packed it straight after and made me sit for 20 mins. then it wasn't gushing was just aware of it in my mouth no need to spit.

i had no toothache like pain like i said just felt like someone had given me a left hook.

after the injections in numbed up really quick dentst hit tooth to make sure did this 2/3 times to reassure me.
getting tooth out took 3 mins max. i had ipod in nurse covered my ears comforting as well as holding my head still. dentist talked whole time telling everything was fine reminding me to breathe.

packed hole sat me up a bit and told me all about her upcoming wedding.

morning

i have rang new dental surgery to explain that i am not keen on sedation as this was what i didn't want with current nhs one.

my doc has said take stronger diazepam, we've got an ipod for distraction. without taking any diazepam i can manage checkup, normal xrays and a scale and polish, but i have never had any treatment, no fillings etc as weren't needed.

i feel being sedated is a bit drastic, i would like to be able to overcome this and think that whatever happens i can go through it.

the thought of sedation is making me more nervous and tearful, i really would like to try and do without.

any suggestions, and how much diazepam do i probably need, the 4mgs i took last week were the first ever.

anybodys thoughts on whether i would be ok with my way of trying.

anybody there

hiya, i went to the dentist too this morning as my wisdon tooth is hurting ALOT so much sympathy for you

littleducks-how did you get on.
having read all my messages what would you do in my situation.

docs are happy to give more diazepam, i have ipod and i'm not keen on sedation, due to side effects.

i have no probs going to dentist for check up, normal xrays or scale and polish, i don't need any diazepam for those.

unfortunately my dentist cant remove it so im being referred, i just wish i could afford to go to a walk in dentist and get it taken out now

i would take a strong dose of diazepan (doont know what this would be in no) put on ipod and zone out, and surely if it doesnt work for any reason they could sedate you during the procedure????

littleducks-why can your dentist not remove it.
if i decide the diazepam they are then unable to sedate as need aneathetist there.

everybody keeps telling me about the noise of the tooth coming out and all the pulling. Its my top right wisdom tooth.

i don't know how i managed to have dd with no pain relief. surely that is worse.

you need to prepare yourself for the noise it sounds awful. but as i have said before i can assure there was no pain.

i can describe what teh noise was like if oyu want.
but get the feeling you need to log off asyou don't seem to be reassuring yourself with others experience, just winding yourself up more.

if i was you i would go and speak to teh dentist again if you trust them to listen to you, and understand your fear you are half way there. if you don't trust the dentist not to hurt you or do something you don't want youare never going to be less anxious about it.

from your previous posts this was the issue you had regarding having your post birth tear sewn, it hurt and you weren't listened to.

good luck

i had my top left out, i dont remember the noise, a bit of pulling but it seemed to come out amazingly quickly

i found that far better than i was expecting based on everyones tales

i had dcs with a bit of gas and air at the end which was worse but with that pain it feels useful

what is your actual concern with the sedationa as i said further up dh has had it alot no issues, he really likes it

if you are paying for this is there no way to have anaethetist on standby?

i really don't want to be sedated, i don't like the side effects, and also it is making my fear worse.

i can normally go for checkup,xrays and scale and polish with no worries, and no drugs.

having spoke to my doc about this, he doesn't seem keen on sedation but is happy to give me more diazepam. i had a bit of a funny heart rhythm when i was pregnant.

i am worried about the sedation more than having tooth out, i am not keen on needles but i will be ok if numb properly.

also i have never had any dental work before, no fillings the most has been scale and polish.

my sis had all 4 out with just local and at the same time.

i would be so pleased with myself if i managed with just diazepam, distraction and local.

we are paying for this privately, but if we want anaethetist we have to pay another £100.

do you feel there is a difference between nhs and private dental care, which is better.

If you are scared about the sedation dont do it

The local totally numbs the area, they check with you that you cant feel pain (you still feel a tug/pain which is a bit odd but does not hurt) first before doing it

If you are nervous agree with a dentist a signal that you are in pain so she could STOP IMMEDIATELY and administer more local anaesthetic (totally unlikely but would reassure you based on past experience)

No he cant force you

I had mine done on the nhs as i cant afford private it was fine, dh sees a specialist dentist on the nhs im not so keen on them but he is happy, i always assumed priovate was better but dont know for sure

i never had to have diazepam in all the years i have been going to the dentist this was the first time, probably based on having dd. But also our nhs dentist was very rush rush, and i couldn't manage one of the xrays and when i asked to try again he said"no, i haven't got time, i am running late". When we came out i was upset and my husband suggested going to our docs as i knew i had to go back the next day, after taking 4mgs i got the xray done, i suggested to the dentist that i could try higher dose of diazepam and she said "we could try", then i got told by receptionist that they haven't got time to deal with anxious patients or anything not routine. At this point we have found a private dentist who is supposed to be good with nervous patients and kids, we got reccommended.

morning

help,

the new private dentist has just rung to say they have an oral surgeon in on wed and fri and deals with wisdom teeth all the time.

i am now booked in for tomorrow at 9am, for a chat, xray and take the tooth out if i am comfaortable with it, if not try again on fri.

i am taking diazepam tonite and before i go, and not having sedation, now panic has set in,
have i made the right decision.

please hold my hand.