Sedation Dentistry...the only way to "fly"!

[NY65912]

Over the years I have become extremely anxiety ridden, especially with any work in the mouth.

I just got home from 3 hours of root canal and a wisdom tooth extraction. I elected to have IV sedation.

The whole procedure seemed to take 10 minutes and I slept through 99% of it. The doc did have to vary the level of sedation dependent on which part of the procedure he was doing, x rays and such.

Even when I "awoke" I did not really care that he was working on me.

Usually I can't even do a filling without freaking out.

It was not cheap, BUT if you are like me and hate a dentist doing extensive work I highly recommend this type of dentistry.

[Scott R]

I get all of my work done once a year, and I always need a lot, just bad genetics I suppose. Anyway I go the IV route as well, an anesthesiologist comes in, it's a $500 cash charge for the IV and it's worth every penny. Three hours of drilling done in what seems like 10 seconds for me.

I doubt it's worth it for fillings, but it sure is for getting a few bridges and crowns put in.

[Rikao4]

they gave my wife a 'happy pill'.
took it on the way...
picked her up...
sleep it of..
she didn't remember going..

Rika

[rouxroux]

Had 2 wisdom teeth finally removed last year...This was the way to go! Nothing like the "old days".

[masraum]

I usually just get a local for fillings, but when I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted (two being completely impacted), I told the. That I wanted a general anesthetic. They gave me a shot. I only remember 10 secs or so after that. I do remember being VERY happy when I woke up.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Great stuff, but way too expensive - I've looked into it. I like the concept, but I'm also not shelling out thousands of extra $$$ for it.

[Rikao4]

the happy pill was about 50 bucks..
no IV...
I'm pretty sure it was that 'date rape' drug..

Rika

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Why did you wake up with your butt sore?

For only $50 I could see it but I was under the impression that it was far more expensive and would have to be paid 100% out of pocket (as with most things that would be really useful and helpful to people medically like lasik for example, insurance won't cover it).

YMMV but I have yet to have a dental insurance plan that doesn't suck for anything other than your twice-a-year cleanings (which all-too-often are just fishing expeditions for dentists to find stuff to make work/income for themselves...)

[Embraer]

i'm getting two root canals done this weekend. i haven't been to the dentist in 12 years (mostly because i hate it THAT much).

i asked about sedation, and he said he'll do Halcion for no charge. ...count me in.

[Joeaksa]

You guys are wusses!

I used to have all my dental work done without any pain reliever at all, no novacain, gas or anything. Finally gave up and now I have it done with the novacain as the dentists just feel better about my being numbed while they are working. That said, the stuff wears off about halfway through the procedure most of the time.

[cgarr]

I think its more for anxiety than pain. They had to put me out just to get me in that MRI tube!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

You guys are wusses!

I used to have all my dental work done without any pain reliever at all, no novacain, gas or anything. Finally gave up and now I have it done with the novacain as the dentists just feel better about my being numbed while they are working. That said, the stuff wears off about halfway through the procedure most of the time.

My mother never lets the dentist use anything unless it's major surgery. When I was in high school I had the same dentist. During one visit I needed four fillings (developmental defects in my teeth that we finally decided to deal with) and he forgot that it was my mother and not ME that avoided anesthesia.

I felt like I had the starring role in Marathon Man.

[stealthn]

Yeah Mike I just caught the video on you tube and man you were out!, but what was with the hairy guy in the little bo peep outfit???

[Zeke]

You going completely out? Get both ends done at the same time.
Tell me about your colonoscopy. :-)

[Scott R]

I was way out, because the wife told me it was more like $1500 for the sedation.