Anyone had any experience with IV sedation during dental work

As long as you are willing to pay they will do it. I remembered it all each time. It is nice, but find the laughing gas is better to me. I also have a extreme fear of the dentist even as far as taking a pill at home first and arriving sedated mildly. They used to call what you are talking about Twilight Sleep when I was young. June

 

I am sorry but I find it funny that people will willingly go under sedation, which presents a risk of death because they are afraid of the dentist. I just don't know why so many people are dentalphobic. These guys are good at what they do and they are drilling into tooth, which you can't feel after local anaesthetic.

 

The risks of death are minimum if your vitals are monitored properly, which every responsible, professional dentist should if administering IV fluids. Don't scare him more than he already is. I've considered doing this to get my wisdom teeth removed, I have the strongest phobia of needles.

It's a phobia. Phobias don't make sense, they're an incredibly strong, irrational fear of something. We know they're good at what they do, but it scares the living crap out of us.

 

^This.

Not to mention, the dosage is basically on par with strong prescription medication. You are given just barely enough to not be able to naturally wake up. Nothing in comparison to what you would recieve from a hospital anesthesiologist in a real surgury. I was sedated when I had to get a large amount of teeth pulled when I had to get my wisdom teeth removed. This bastards were deep in there...

Anyway, I might have lost it when they inserted the IV and almost climbed out of the chair before the drug hit me..... but I'm fairly severe anxiety when it comes to needles. Other than that it was fine. ^_^

 

How do you react to sedation? Last time I had dental work done (wisdoms teeth removal, so it was more intense) I was given a bit too much and didn't really want to come back until they gave me so reversal medication and fluids.

I know it's a phobia. But it's something I think you should work on. You're going twice a year (or should!) and you might have to have other procedures done. It's very expensive to do this, because you HAVE to be monitored. (Is that covered?)

I don't care what anyone says, you must be on a monitor. If you're not, you're being really stupid. Not every dentist is able to do this, so you'll have to find someone. If money is no object,then you'll be ok. It's very safe is done well, but if not, it's as safe as walking in front of a bus....in the middle of a highway.

 

I got this when I had my wisdom teeth removed. I didn't get to choose. I was actually asleep during most of the procedure. But I woke up while the surgeon was still working on me, though I think he was finishing up. I was so out of it, that I didn't care. I was extremely relaxed.

EDIT: Sorry I read your post wrong. You meant common dental work, and not actual surgery. When they give you a sedative with an IV, you will almost always fall asleep.

 

I had a dental implant fitted and I was put to sleep. I remember them asking me to tell them when I felt a bit faint and I remember being in the car afterwards being driven home.

No pain whatsoever, and my dentist offered sedation as standard. If I could be sedated for every dental occasion, I definitely would! :lol:

 

I had IV sedation when I had my wisdom teeth out. Only pain was when they tried to fit the cannula. And that wasn't painful on any scale you need to worry about. You're not out completely, but you have zero idea what's going on.

I was v dopey when I came round, thought I'd been in there about 5 minutes, but was almost an hour. But don't fool yourself you won't feel any pain at all - once it wears off, you're going to feel the same pain as you would otherwise (couple of paracetamol with sort- check before taking anything though). You just won't have the fear of hearing the drill, or anything else associated with the dentist.

Also, worth noting if you have IV sedation at the hospital rather than the dentists, you won't pay a single penny.

 

I think this is the first time I've ever seen "can't go to work" and "downside" in the same sentence before.

 

IV sedation is very safe, if it is done right. There are practices that aren't as reputable that don't handle it right. I know there was just a story awhile back about a man that died during a routine procedure because the doctor was an idiot. Don't be scared though - go some place reputable and you will be fine. Just be mindful as to what you are wanting done. It is a big deal.

 

Look for places that do "gentle dentistry." I'm not sure if they have what it is you're looking for, but I've heard of these places and next time I have to go, that's where I'm going to go.

 

Yes, you can. Local anaesthetic doesn't work well for me. One time my dentist had to give me more anaesthetic eight times. Now, the standard procedure for me is to give me a special one that sedates my entire jaw and half my face. And even then, I can still feel pain, though a lot less.

As for the OP, I don't think they have IV sedation in my country, at least I've never heard of it, but if it makes you relaxed then by all means go for it. It shouldn't be harmful if they're offering it. However, I think you should try working on your fears. I'm quite afraid of the dentist as well, but I'm working on going without any help like relaxation pills, or whatever. I really think you should do the same. It's always better than using chemicals.

 

I've been under IV sedation for dental procedures several times. I strongly prefer it to the laughing gas and I didn't have any bad experiences at all. I don't really remember what happened during the operations. I just remember someone telling me that the operation was over. If you don't have any health problems that would interfere, I highly recommend sedation.

As for the chances of death, they are unbelievably low. This study says

I realize that the results only include Canada from 1973 to 1995 but it was all I could find. If we use the 1.4 per 1,000,000 statistic, that gives you a .00000014% chance.

 

Personally I prefer just the 'laughing gas' (or whatever its proper name is) for dental work
I've had more than one cavity filled with only that, and a crown done too.