Laughing gas saved my sanity during my root canal

If I’m already paying a small fortune for dental work, can’t I at least be comfortable while it happens?

You nailed it. Comfort shouldn’t feel like a luxury add-on, especially with something as anxiety-inducing as dental work. I used to think I was just being dramatic about the nerves, but after trying nitrous for a filling, I realized how much of a difference it makes. It’s wild that insurance still treats anxiety management like an optional extra. Here’s hoping that changes eventually. Until then, yeah, budgeting for that “little cloud” is totally worth it.

Nitrous made a huge difference for me too, but I do wish insurance would catch up. It’s weird - numbing the pain is covered, but calming nerves isn’t? I get that some people don’t need it, but for those of us who do, it feels like a basic part of care. Honestly, I’d rather pay for nitrous than the fancy TVs some offices have... priorities, right?

I totally get where you’re coming from - when I had my wisdom teeth out, nitrous was the only thing that kept me from bolting out of the chair. Insurance covered the IV sedation but not the nitrous, which made zero sense to me. Has anyone ever managed to get their insurance to cover it after appealing? Just curious if it’s even possible or if it’s always out-of-pocket.

Nitrous made a huge difference for me too - honestly, I’d take it over IV sedation any day just because it wears off so fast and I feel more in control. Insurance not covering it has always baffled me, especially since they’ll pay for pricier sedation options. I tried appealing once after a particularly rough filling, but my claim got denied pretty quickly. They said it was “not medically necessary,” which is frustrating when anxiety is a real barrier for a lot of people.

Has anyone had better luck if their dentist wrote a note about dental anxiety or a specific medical need? I wonder if it makes a difference if you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder on file or something like that. Or maybe it depends on the insurance company? Curious if anyone’s managed to get around the “not necessary” excuse.

Yeah, insurance logic is wild sometimes. I asked my dentist to write a letter about my dental anxiety (I’ve got a legit diagnosis in my chart), but my claim still got shot down. The rep basically said unless I’m allergic to other sedation or have some rare medical thing, nitrous is “optional.” I swear it’s just about them saving money. My buddy with a different plan had better luck, though - seems like it’s really hit or miss depending on the company and maybe even the person reviewing your claim. Super inconsistent.

The rep basically said unless I’m allergic to other sedation or have some rare medical thing, nitrous is “optional.” I swear it’s just about them saving money.

That’s rough. I’ve run into the same wall - my plan only covers nitrous if there’s a medical necessity, and apparently dental anxiety doesn’t count. I had my doctor document it too, but the insurance just wouldn’t budge. Have you tried appealing the decision? Sometimes a second review helps, but honestly, I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle unless your dentist thinks there’s a shot. Curious if anyone’s ever actually gotten it covered for anxiety alone?

I totally get what you mean - my insurance flat-out refused to cover nitrous for anxiety too. Honestly, it felt like they just didn’t take dental fear seriously. I tried appealing, but got nowhere. It’s wild how something that makes such a difference for some of us is seen as a luxury.

That’s exactly what happened to me - I asked my dentist about nitrous because my hands were literally shaking in the chair, and insurance just shrugged it off. I don’t get how they decide what counts as “necessary” when anxiety is real pain too. I even tried to get a doctor’s note, thinking maybe that’d help, but nope. Has anyone actually had luck convincing insurance? Or is it just a lost cause? Sometimes I wonder if they’ve ever sat through a root canal themselves...

Insurance can be so frustrating with this stuff. I actually tried appealing once, with a note from my therapist about dental anxiety, but got nowhere - just a generic denial letter. It’s wild how they act like anxiety isn’t a real barrier. You’re definitely not alone in feeling overlooked. I ended up just paying out of pocket for nitrous because honestly, my nerves were shot. Sometimes you’ve just gotta do what gets you through, even if the system doesn’t get it.

Nitrous really is a lifesaver for dental anxiety - I feel you on that. Insurance companies just don’t seem to get how real that fear is. I tried to get coverage for sedation once too, and all I got was a “not medically necessary” letter. Like, if they had to sit in that chair with their heart racing, maybe they’d reconsider…

Honestly, paying out of pocket stings, but for me it was worth every penny just to not be a sweaty mess gripping the armrests. The system’s definitely behind when it comes to mental health and dentistry. I wish there was more awareness that anxiety isn’t just “nerves” - it can be a full-on barrier.

On the bright side, at least nitrous has a quick recovery. I was back to my usual self before I even left the parking lot. Still, it’s wild how much we have to advocate for ourselves just to get basic comfort at the dentist.

I relate to this a lot. Nitrous is the only way I can get through even a cleaning these days. I wish insurance would take anxiety more seriously too... it’s not just being “nervous.” Glad you bounced back quickly - sometimes I still feel shaky after.

Yeah, I totally get that shaky feeling after nitrous. It helps with my anxiety but sometimes I feel weird for hours. Insurance barely covers anything for sedation, which is so frustrating. It’s not just nerves, it’s real anxiety.

That’s exactly my struggle too. I get super anxious before any dental work and nitrous is the only thing that calms me down, but I always feel off for hours after. My hands shake and I just want to lie down. The insurance thing drives me nuts - mine barely covers local anesthesia, let alone nitrous or anything “extra.” I wish they’d take anxiety more seriously. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth paying out of pocket just to not feel like I’m gonna bolt from the chair... but those bills add up fast.

I totally get this. I’m actually putting off my first big dental thing because I’m so freaked out, and the cost for nitrous just makes it worse. Feels like you have to pick between anxiety or a huge bill... not fair at all.

- Been there, seriously. I used to joke that the only thing scarier than the drill was the bill for nitrous.
- Honestly, I always spring for it anyway. My anxiety’s a beast and I’m useless in the chair without that little mask. But yeah, it’s wild how much they charge for a few minutes of “happy air.”
- One time, I tried to tough it out without nitrous. Ended up white-knuckling the armrests and sweating through my shirt... not my best look.
- Have you checked if your insurance covers any sedation? Sometimes they’ll at least chip in a bit, but it’s hit or miss.
- Curious - if nitrous was more affordable, would you go to the dentist sooner? Or is the anxiety just as bad with any procedure, no matter what?

Nitrous is the only way I get through my ortho appointments without freaking out, honestly. I’d probably see the dentist way sooner if it didn’t cost so much, but even then, the anxiety’s still there no matter what. Has anyone tried other ways to calm down, like music or those weighted blankets? Just curious if anything else actually helps.

Nitrous is the only way I get through my ortho appointments without freaking out, honestly.

I get where you're coming from, but I’ll be honest - nitrous didn’t do much for my kid. She’s always been super sensitive to anything medical, and the gas just made her feel weird and even more anxious. What actually helped her was having a little routine: headphones with her favorite playlist (she’s big into Taylor Swift right now), and a small stuffed animal she could squeeze. The dental assistant was nice enough to let her keep it in her lap, which I didn’t even realize was allowed until we asked.

Weighted blankets are a neat idea, but the office we go to doesn’t have them, and lugging our own seemed like a hassle. Distraction with music and something familiar to hold seemed to make a bigger difference than I expected. I know everyone’s different, but sometimes the simple stuff works better than the fancy options.

Funny, my son was the same way - nitrous just made him giggle for a minute, then he’d get more antsy than before. What really worked was having his favorite stuffed shark and a playlist of Minecraft music. Sometimes the “comfort objects” do more than any fancy gadget or gas.

Totally get what you mean - my daughter barely noticed the nitrous, but her favorite blanket and a YouTube playlist made all the difference. Sometimes it’s the simple, familiar stuff that really calms them down. Gadgets just can’t compete with a well-loved plushie.

You’re spot on about the comfort items - sometimes it’s not about fancy gadgets at all. When my son needed a filling, I tried all these distraction apps and games, but honestly, his old stuffed dog did more for his nerves than anything else. I guess it’s just what they associate with feeling safe, right?

I do think nitrous can help a lot, but for us, it was more about layering up the little things: bring the favorite blanket, let him wear his own headphones, and make sure he had something familiar to squeeze. If you’re trying to keep costs down, you don’t have to spend on all sorts of new stuff. Use what you’ve already got at home - soft hoodie, family playlist, whatever makes the chair feel less scary.

Honestly, if you find what works for your kid, stick with it. Even if it seems simple or even a bit silly to someone else. Those small comforts add up way more than people realize.