Scared of the dentist and of sedation

[NeedToGetEmFixed]

So back in October or November I got brave enough to get my teeth cleaned. Now the hard part is making the appointment to get the work I need done. The first set of work is pulling 3 teeth and doing a root canal I guess on what's up there. I am scared to death of the dentist. When I went for the cleaning I felt nervous. So they are going to do the sedation on me. They will give me a pill to take beforehand, then the gas, and IV. Which the IV scares me, but they say I won't care at that point. Now here's the thing. Not only am I scared of the dentist I am scared of being put under like that. What if I don't wake back up? Does that happen a lot in dentistry? Does anyone else have that same fear? I really want to get the ball rolling on fixing my teeth.

 

[Thunderbird]

I had a similar fear to yours -- more related to not liking not being in control and/or being fuzzy-headed. It stems from my PTSD.

Now someone comes into the treatment too with me. It is someone I trust who I know would never hurt me or allow me to be hurt by someone else.

I know I "should" trust my dentist not to do me any intentional harm or be like a psychopath but with my PTSD my brain just doesn't work like that.

The bonus is having someone in the treatment room to distract you from the dentist, be an extra brain to help you make good treatment decisions and offer advice, hold your hand or rub your leg and just be there to coach/cheer you on. "Good girl, hang in there, almost done" or other reassuring words.

 

[Deejay]

Hello ( please anyone correct me if I am wrong) but because it is given IV it can be stopped and reversed in an instant you are given just enough to make you feel exceptionally relaxed but still able to hear when they ask you to open your mouth etc.. And you will be able to answer them too you will be monitored with oxygen monitor on your finger and possibly a blood pressure monitor too both give the dental teAm first hand notification of how you are coping physically to what's going on, they can keep you topped up on IV so you stay at the right level for you and when it's finished you will start coming back to. It's much safer than a general anaesthetic because you are still sort of awake so can breathe for yourself. Have a read through some IV stories or read up on it on the main page somewhere, it seems to differ abit between UK & USA think it may be different drug combinations used but in the uk people seem to be a bit more awake going home and USA they seem to be still quite drugged and some don't remember going home just waking up in their bed, although they held conversation throughout, different places are all different, do not google ask on here cause you get the truth. Good luck Hun Hope someone with first hand experience from the same region as you shares their story

 

[brit]

Are you sure the 3 teeth really need to be extracted? Can they not be saved with root canals?

There is no reason to be sedated if it is not what you want. You could opt for multiple short appointments and do one thing at a time? You could opt for very mild sedation, just nitrous for example.

 

[NeedToGetEmFixed]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. Thanks for all the replies. Well, I've had 2 dentists say three had to get pulled. And I know I will atleast need something to calm me down to even get me in the door. I thought I could just get some pill someone I knew got when they got all their teeth pulled (they don't even remember the ride there). But the thought of an IV and being really under scare me. And then I wonder if I do the pill will it put me under enough.

 

[Deejay]

The pill takes the edge of your nerves, the happy air is just that bit like merrily drunk and the IV makes it dream like everybody who has had it says it is really good and they can tot rate it so you are at the right level. If you really worried about the IV try a tablet and happy air using numbing gel and injections just for one tooth see how you go then resort to IV the next time if needed??? good luck xx