Sedation Dentistry - The best ever

[GrahamDee]

For those interested, this was my experience of my last IV Sedation.

Basically, I had a tooth fracture. Lower Left Number 5 split in half and I went to my regular dentist to have it checked out. Its broke and it has to come out.

Normally, I would freak at this point. This is the stuff of my worst ever nightmares, or at least it used to be.

But I have had two experiences of IV Sedation, which has now turned my world of dentisty around and I am more than happy to pay whatever to have it out the 'easy' way, which the help of some very serious drugs. So my dentist knowing what an extraction-phobe I am, asked me if I want a referral to a Sedation dentist like last time.

I wanted a little bit of time to arrange this and get some personal stuff out the way before going ahead with this and the dentist did give me a temporary filling just to hold it together...but then the thing totally broke away and left a stump. It wasn't painful, just weird. Ok - time to get this sorted.

I phoned up and made an appointment, few days later I was there.

This was the easy part. Fill out the forms, pay the money, walk through to the surgery, quickly get weighed and jump in the chair. I was the first one in and there was no waiting around or anticipation. He took an Xray just to have a look at the tooth whilst it was being developed, a blood pressure cuff on my right arm and a cannula was put in the back of my right hand. It was just a tiny little pinch. All the time he was chatting away and I was 'anxious' but not 'a hopeless mess' like last time. In fact, I was almost looking forward to it.

The first syringe was full of sterile water, I guess that was just to make sure the cannula was 'in' and then when everything was ready, he asked me if I was "ready for the good stuff". "Oh yeah" was my answer and in went a large syringe full of Midazolam. It took several seconds before I felt anything, then there was this feeling of being slightly drunk. I leaned back, looked at the celing and then I was home in my own bed (minus tooth) and it was four hours later, thanks to my wife who managed to get me home in her car. I downed a few painkillers and fell asleep and woke up with a throbbing ache wondering where the day went.

IV is awesome.

 

[emmaandjo78]

So glad you had a positive experience Graham, I am extremely phobic and haven't been to the dentist for many years. Hearing about your experience has given me the courage to look into going to see a dentist who offers sedation as I have a number of teeth that need extracting. Can I ask you if its ok Graham, how much did you have to pay for the sedation? Many thanks and well done on getting your treatment. Emma x

 

[GrahamDee]

So glad you had a positive experience Graham, I am extremely phobic and haven't been to the dentist for many years. Hearing about your experience has given me the courage to look into going to see a dentist who offers sedation as I have a number of teeth that need extracting. Can I ask you if its ok Graham, how much did you have to pay for the sedation? Many thanks and well done on getting your treatment. Emma x

It was £250. However, if you can get an NHS referral, you pay £45. Problem is finding someone who does NHS referrals and a very long waiting list. My first IV was NHS and I had to wait six weeks to make an appointment and another month or so for an actual date.

 

[emmaandjo78]

It was £250. However, if you can get an NHS referral, you pay £45. Problem is finding someone who does NHS referrals and a very long waiting list. My first IV was NHS and I had to wait six weeks to make an appointment and another month or so for an actual date.

Thanks Graham, the NHS dentists in my town like so many in the UK have 6-18 month waiting lists so I will be going private, just have to find one who is good with phobic patients and does sedation. Thanks again

 

[brit]

Thanks Graham, the NHS dentists in my town like so many in the UK have 6-18 month waiting lists so I will be going private, just have to find one who is good with phobic patients and does sedation. Thanks again

If you are anywhere near Liverpool, you may like to try Andrew Healey.

He's had some good feedback from posters.

Other NorthWest link: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/forum/forums/north-west.30/

If you are going privately it should be much easier to find someone who fits the bill...you pay for their time so there is no time pressure .

 

[Judenmink]

Graham, thanks for posting your experience. I have to have a root canal and (probably) a apiectomy and my dentist has referred me for sedation. I am so scared... I broke down in the surgery when he told me what a apiectomy was!
It is good to hear it worked well for you and is helping me feel a bit more confident about what is going to happen.

 

[GrahamDee]

Graham, thanks for posting your experience. I have to have a root canal and (probably) a apiectomy and my dentist has referred me for sedation. I am so scared... I broke down in the surgery when he told me what a apiectomy was!
It is good to hear it worked well for you and is helping me feel a bit more confident about what is going to happen.

I have both my previous experiences posted on here, but if you need any more advice or if I can help in any way, please PM me.

IV - Once you've had it, you'll always want it!!

 

[Judenmink]

I am so glad I have found this forum I have an app for Feb/March to get my root work/apisectomy done but here comes the infection again!
I was told to ring for cancellations regularly. Lets hope I can get it done soon. I would have been absolutely p***ing myself over the fear of having this work done but you guys are seem so impressed by the IV sedation that I am feeling much calmer and just cant wait to get it done and stop having these awful infections.

 

[emmaandjo78]

Brit, thank you so much for these suggestions, I will look into, it is so much better when there are recommendations for dentists who are good with phobic patients.x