Thinking about sedation but fearful about how it will be then read the following comments. All of these comments were made by people who were also afraid to take the sedation route. (Please remember not all dentists offer sedation)
I follow this site avidly, and just hope that something I add can occasionally help someone. The only thing I can say at the moment, (and I have already posted about this, so sorry for repeating myself), is that IV sedation is fantastic, and absolutely nothing to fear! "Conscious sedation" can sound scary, but you really do not remember much at all, and what you do remember, you don't actually care about! I have never had IV for dental treatment, (wish I had sometimes!), but have had it twice for medical procedures, the last time 3 weeks ago, and I would without a doubt be happy to have it again for any reason, (maybe not major surgery!). Please do not be afraid, it really is great.
I'll tell you a little about how absolutely wonderful my experiences have been with IV sedation, and maybe that will be a good place to start! I've had two root canals under IV sedation, and I can honestly say that they were both 100% pain free, and I had a really good experience both times. For me, it just felt like I feel asleep. By the time the Dr finished saying "You're going to start to get sleepy", my eyes were already closing, and the next thing I knew the Dr was holding my hand and telling me he was finished. I was a little confused because to me it seemed like I had just closed my eyes a second before, and I thought they hadn't started yet! I went home feeling sleepy and basically spent the rest of the day on the couch alternating between watching TV and sleeping.
Last Tuesday when I had my left hand uppers and one lower extracted, I was under IV sedation. I remember being told to relax as the IV worked its way into my system. I remember someone putting a cloth over my eyes...and that's it!! Woke up and it was all over!
I had my 3 extractions done on Thursday (2 wisdom and one other), I admit I was very nervous before hand and shed a tear in the reception area but I have to say it was far easier than I could have ever imagined. I had an injection in my hand and that was more or less the last thing I remember until the dentist said it was all over and took me into the recover room. I slept on and off for the afternoon and just took pain killers regularly for the next few days. The post op pain wasn't even that bad - really just felt like I had been punched in the mouth - not even as bad as toothache! I am still a little swollen and tender but I feel so much better knowing that the work is over - now we can move onto cosmetic bits which I am treating myself to.
Anyone facing ID sedation should have no fear - for me it went really well and I wouldn't mind if I had to have it again. In fact, I would rather that than have teeth removed at my regular (ha ha I can say that now!)Dentist
I had ID sedation for the first time last week and it went very well, I would recommend to anyone who has to undergo some unpleasant surgery or is extremely nervous.
