M
Moonchild
Junior member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2026
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- worcester, uk
I have always had an extreme fear of the dentist. When i was a teenage they tried gas sedation and my adrenaline was so high they found that still didnt help. Once they used ketamine (whatever the dental term is for that), i just had a bad trip that i was stuck in a loop and i was being experimented on and i jumped out of the chair. Eventually they sent me to a hospital to be completely put to sleep using general anesthetic for fillings and an extraction. Now I’m at adult apparently there is no such luxury.
I currently need a couple fillings and an extraction. Apparently i was approved to be put to sleep for the extraction so thats great, but not for the fillings. I don’t understand why the Dentist cant also do the fillings during that extraction appointment but apparently it’s a solid NO. At my last appointment we attempted the fillings with the gas sedation which is meant to relax you, and a special way of numbing me without using a needle. We weren’t successful though. The thing is im still extremely anxious and scared when going hazey with the gas. A couple of seconds feel like 10 minutes and on the inside i am freaking out. No one listens to me that I genuinely need to be UNCONSCIOUS because if i even slightly know what’s going on theres no way I’ll relax. Yes the stuff relaxes my body and confuses my head but i am still petrified. I have my appointment in the morning to try again. I’ve been crying all day because i just cant do it but i know I NEED these fillings I don’t want horrible rotten teeth.
They think its fine and it’s working cause its making me drowsy but on the inside i am suffering fear, hypervigilance, time feeling longer than reality and i feel all it does is make it harder for you to protest during the appointment which is easier for them but im still having a traumatic experience, its like a date r*pe drug but for the dentist. Just because im less able to speak up doesnt mean I’m ok. I dont know what to do because they say this is the last option and thats all. So it’s traumatize myself further or my teeth fall out. But im really working myself up into a frenzy right now just thinking of it.
29, F, anxiety and phobias.
I currently need a couple fillings and an extraction. Apparently i was approved to be put to sleep for the extraction so thats great, but not for the fillings. I don’t understand why the Dentist cant also do the fillings during that extraction appointment but apparently it’s a solid NO. At my last appointment we attempted the fillings with the gas sedation which is meant to relax you, and a special way of numbing me without using a needle. We weren’t successful though. The thing is im still extremely anxious and scared when going hazey with the gas. A couple of seconds feel like 10 minutes and on the inside i am freaking out. No one listens to me that I genuinely need to be UNCONSCIOUS because if i even slightly know what’s going on theres no way I’ll relax. Yes the stuff relaxes my body and confuses my head but i am still petrified. I have my appointment in the morning to try again. I’ve been crying all day because i just cant do it but i know I NEED these fillings I don’t want horrible rotten teeth.
They think its fine and it’s working cause its making me drowsy but on the inside i am suffering fear, hypervigilance, time feeling longer than reality and i feel all it does is make it harder for you to protest during the appointment which is easier for them but im still having a traumatic experience, its like a date r*pe drug but for the dentist. Just because im less able to speak up doesnt mean I’m ok. I dont know what to do because they say this is the last option and thats all. So it’s traumatize myself further or my teeth fall out. But im really working myself up into a frenzy right now just thinking of it.
29, F, anxiety and phobias.
. Can you just clarify - you said that at your last appointment you attempted gas sedation (I presume nitrous oxide? or was it a typo and you had IV sedation?). I'm not quite sure what is planned for tomorrow morning. Are you having another attempt with nitrous oxide, or is it IV sedation? With IV sedation, it's very much a case of being able to adjust the level to suit, from quite mild to much more profound. We have some more info on IV sedation here:
