Hi.
I've been on nhs wait list since Jan for an extraction with iv sedation.
I have terrible dental phobia and gag reflex, so really couldn't contemplate being " with it"
Tooth keeps flaring up, infections, pain, no sleep etc so i decided to pay privately.
Now i know the apt could be very soon im petrified! My husband says i need to be "a grown up"
Sensibly i know i can't continue and we have a big family holiday coming up.
I'm literally shaking typing this!
Any advice? Please no scare stories 😖
Gransnet forums
Health
Dental sedation
(67 Posts)Hypnotherapy?
Dental sedation is great, you just drift away. I had it for a procedure and knew nothing about it.
Try not to worry.
It's going to cost £600 to get the tooth removed, not sure i can run to hypnosis too 🥴
I've watched so many videos i think I've made it worse.
I m another terrified patient a few years ago I had two wisdom teeth extracted with light sedation I didn’t know a thing it was a real doddle
I ve now got a back tooth flaring up and down and waiting to see what happens !!! I don’t think I can justify £600 so will have to put my big girl knickers on if I do need it out
You have my thoughts
Hi Narnia, my suggestion is to speak to the dentist beforehand. Can you go in a few days before your extraction? Private dentists often have more time to talk to you and help you relax before treatment. I haven't experienced sedation but I know from experience that f you feel safe and comfortable with your dentist and if you trust them, it will be so much easier.
I really can empathise...I had a terrible phobia for a long time until I managed to find a very understanding Dentist who worked with me and at my pace!
This might help?
www.dentalphobia.co.uk/
I’ve had a couple of extractions. It’s more the thought than the actual event. It wasn’t painful at all, just a feeling of being tugged
You’ll be fine , I promise ..
crazyH
I’ve had a couple of extractions. It’s more the thought than the actual event. It wasn’t painful at all, just a feeling of being tugged
You’ll be fine , I promise ..
I hope so, I'm hoping i don't have any sensations at all!
I know i can't carry on as i am, but i feel sick at the thought.
Have you had your consultation yet ? . At the consultation you can discuss your concerns with the dentist and being private they will have more time for you .
On the day of the procedure, you’ll meet the anaesthetist who will put you at ease . With sedation you’re just woozy and drift off . My dd had sedation for extraction of her wisdom teeth . When she came to , she didn’t know they’d done anything . She didn’t feel a thing .
I had sedation for a cracked wisdom tooth extraction and felt absolutely nothing.
I told the anaesthetist I was worried about the sedation because as a child it took me over 24 hours to come round after it. He promised to halve the dose but I still didn't come round for 2 hours - the surgery was closed, DH took me home and I slept for another 12 hours. Best sleep I'd had in years 
I feel so pathetic! Can't have it out with just numbing as obv I'm phobic but it's also 'difficult" even tho it's not a wisdom tooth.
Sedation sounds the best option but im still petrified.
I remember the gas mask of my old dentist as a child, it was vile and a frightening thing.
Narnia I feel your fear. I used to be dental phobic but an empathetic dentist some years ago made a huge difference.
My eldest daughter is in exactly your position. She has to have a tricky molar out and has opted for sedation.
She rings me up in tears because she is so terrified, but she has had horrendous toothache and I have been gently saying once it's out the awful pain will desist.
She has the appointment for the 14th June.
All I can offer is a virtual hug and my very best wishes xx
I was sent to hospital to have difficult back tooth root removed. It was totally pain free even though it also required bone removal. Drove myself there and back. Try not to overthink it - easier said than done. I feel as you do now about flying. I feel so brave immediately afterwards when cabin doors open. Best wishes.
Oh Narnia, please don't put yourself down! Fear of the dentist is probably one of the most common phobias.
You'll be fine and feel wonderful after you've healed and its all done with.
Good luck & don't worry.
Plan a little treat for yourself once it's all done, so you have something to look forward to. Best wishes. 😊
I have an appt tomorrow with my own dentist so will know more then.
Thanks for the support.
Begrudgingly spending £600 to be terrified!
Hi Narnia. I understand your fears. I have dental phobia too, and my usual private dentist ( who is excellent with nervous patients ) refused to treat me as I got myself worked into such a state.
He referred me to another dentist for an extraction with IV sedation. I had to travel to another town for it. I met the dentist and the anaesthetist at a preliminary appointment. They were very reassuring and understanding.
Re the actual procedure - I don't remember a thing after the needle going in my arm, till I woke up in the recovery room. My husband, who stayed with me throughout, said I wasn't unconscious, but I didn't feel or remember a thing.
I hope I never have to go again, but would definitely have IV sedation again if I needed to.
Take care xxx
I’ve had IV sedation long ago for tooth extraction, a veneer, and a root canal filling. It was brilliant, they could have cut a limb off and I’d have been happily drifting in space - and although able to talk (apparently!), and walk out to be driven home, there was absolutely no memory of anything having been done.
That was on the NHS and sadly now it’s a postcode lottery, it’s only available privately here so I’m never going to be able to afford it again.
Good luck!
I too have had sedation. Totally painless and have never regretted it. I had an unpleasant illness which affected my teeth very badly hence the removal of those I had left. My dentures are just like my original teeth and I can eat properly. I've had them for ages now and have never regretted the cost.
Just to put things into context hip replacement operations are usually done with epidural injection and unless you request sedation you'd be awake for that. Sedation at the dentist will put you to sleep and any numbing injections would not be felt.
You will be fine. Just think no more pain and you can enjoy your holiday.
I had only ever had teeth removed while being asleep. Last year I needed a wisdom tooth removed. I was scared believe you me! I sat on the wall outside the dentist waiting for them to open. I had tears in my eyes. I pulled myself together and went ahead with it just being numbed. I did not feel a thing! I think my dentist suffered far more than me as he knew how scare I was. I will never be frightened again. I think it is the 'unknown' factor.
I had dental sedation last year for the removal of two teeth. The dentist was absolutely fabulous and one I recommend, should you live in the Bath area?
I just need to go in a week or so beforehand for pre-op information.
In the end, it was actually quite a pleasant experience!
I've had sedation for various things. I had extensive dentistry and I'm pretty sure it was a tablet on a couple of occasions, some kind of benzodiazepine rather than iv. I can't remember any of it but I said funny things. Had IV sedation in hospital, midazolam and procedure was totally painless, even watched on a screen. You'll be fine. Make sure you have an escort & transport.
I absolutely dreaded having a distorted wisdom tooth out. No sedation on offer but I steeled myself to go through with it. I really thought the dentist was just setting things up for the extraction but suddenly said, 'That's it. All done'. I couldn't believe it. It was so quick and absolutely painless (I'd had a numbing injection). I was so pleased and very relieved but also sorry that I'd been worrying about it for so long.
I've never had sedation (other than for impacted wisdom teeth done under general in hospital - donkeys years ago. But I do have a phobia but since finding an exceptionally quiet, kind and gentle private dentist my fears have left me.
Good luck. After it's over you will (hopefully) wonder why you worried so much.
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »

