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.

You will be fine. Don't forget that at any point you can change your mind and walk out!

Sounds like its just getting a handle on the nerves - is there anything you can do to take your mind off it? Try not to run it over and over in your head, try distracting activities etc.

don't put ideas in my head like walking out cos i won't need much persuasion.

i am attacking the housework like its never been cleaned before.

i have been told it should only be approx 20 mins but they have booked me an hour and a half so i don't feel i am rushed, and can then take my time to sit afterwards, my husband can be with me at all times, our dd is going to next door to play with their two girls, they all get on well.

have been told they use numbing gel as well before injections, that may make it a bit easier, i have also got my ipod.

anymore encouragement from anyone.

i think your dentist sounds really understanding. he is obviously up for discussing everything with you an dtaking the time you need.

i think you will feel so much better knowing you are not going to be rushed. Your NHS dentist made it very clear he didn't have time for silly nervous patients.

you are not silly it is ok to be scared.

good luck and remember they are not going to do anything you don't agree to.

hi everyone

just thought i would let you know how today went.

we went to the oral surgeon at this new private dental practice, and he was brillant.
we have now registered to become regular patients.

my husband stayed with me, even holding my hand when i had the two injections after lots of numbing gel, then had another x ray and went back for the tooth to come out, my husband still held my hand. i had no pain only lots of pressure and a lot of crunching noise(wasn't keen on that), i didn't even get through one song on my ipod.

the tooth is now out, i am at home, no sedation, just 6mgs of diazepam and local.

if i can do it then anyone can.

it was such a modern practice with all the latest technology.

i feel like going back to my nhs dentist and saying"see i did manage it with no sedation"
that is now 3 patients they have lost.

i would say if you can afford it, definately go private or find a really good dentist with good reports and that is good with children and nervous patients.

this one is a normal dental practice that has a top oral surgeon visit on a wed and fri, he teaches other surgeons in our local area, and they also have a cosmetic dentist as well.

thanks for all your words.

glad it went well. the noise is awful isn't it.

just to say my dentist is NHS and is all the above you said. just like everything else their are good and bad.
i am glad you have found a dentist you are happy with, heres to happy dental treatment in the future.

xx

pinkkoala, this is the honest truth I had an upper wisdom tooth removed about 2 years ago with only a pain relief/novocain injection and it didn't hurt a bit. I could feel some tugging for a minute or so but absolutely no pain and no problems afterwards. Was in and out of the surgery within 30 minutes. Is there any way you could feel distracted enough to just have a pain relief injecion eg with music on ipod etc?

oh sorry for the late msg! Glad everything went well though

I'm a big wuss when it comes to the dentist and get IV sedation from my local NHS dental hospital. I would definitely go for it - if you are very worried about the needles like me, they can put a numbing cream on your hands and then twenty minutes later, they put the cannula in your hand.

When they injected the sedative, I was out within seconds and didn't come round for an hour or so. Felt nothing. I got dry socket as well and that was exceptionally painful.

The sedation leaves you feeling pretty wasted for the next 24 hours but, sadly, I quite enjoyed that...

Diazepam has really very little effect other than make you feel relaxed. A good idea to take 5mg the night before and 5mg that day. (The next day, you will be absolutely fine). And then have your local. I too have an absolute horror of needles - particularly into the vein (excuse me while I just pick myself up from the floor). I had to have a tetanus injection recently and applied a local anaesthetic (EMLA Cream - available over the counter)to my arm and had my first injection without fainting since I was 13. You - obviously - can't apply that to the inside of your mouth but keep it in mind for the future. Good luck and don't look.

heya, i read your post while googling stuff prior to my wisdom tooth removal this morning

not sure if you went through with it already, but i just thought i'd throw in my 2 cents.

i am a hypochondriac and TERRIFIED of general anesthesia and iv sedation. however, i decided to go through with the IV sedation, having all 4 wizzies removed, 2 which were impacted. i can say that as soon as that needle was in my arm all my fears/anxiety were GONE! i was worried about freaking out because i realize i'm sedated and not in control, however, if you can suck it up for the needle i would HIGHLY reccomend IV sedation. i was given valium and some anti-inflammatory (funny fact, it has a silly side effect that makes your butt itch for about 10 seconds ) there are virtually no side effects except i was slightly dizzy when done, getting off the chair...and it lasted about 2 minutes. the sedation also makes the procedure fly by...seemed like minutes when i was in there for an hour

if you have any more questions go ahead and ask while my memory is fresh literally had it done about 1 hour ago

hi

i would like to update everyone as you all gave me such good advice.

we have all moved to this new dentist who took out my wisdom tooth, and are now nhs as paid private to get tooth out.

we have moved to a very modern practice with all the latest equipment and they specialise in nervous patients(me). They have a dental surgeon who comes in twice a week and he was the one who removed my tooth under local, he is also happy to give me and my family regular checkups as i feel very comfotable and have a lot of faith in him, he explains everything as he goes along.

i went for a check up yesterday and only need to go back for a scale and polish, he is happy to do this for me rather than see a hygeinist. I have heard so many hoorror stories that i am now getting nervous, a small bit.

he understands how nervous and upset i get but takes the time to calm me and wait until i am ready, my husband is allowed to stay with me at all times, not like my last practice.

You never know i may even enjoy going to the dentist (not).

I am so glad i never went for the iv sedation and just had diazepan and local as i feel i was able to confront my fear and it has helped, for me iv sedation was terrifying me, i am glad i found another dentist who listens to his patients.