SEDATION FOR TOOTH EXTRACTION - IV OR LAUGHING GAS?

Went with laughing gas for mine and honestly, it was chill. Dentist had some classic rock playing, and I spent half the time wondering if Queen always sounded this good or if it was just the gas...either way, zero regrets.

"Dentist had some classic rock playing, and I spent half the time wondering if Queen always sounded this good or if it was just the gas..."

Haha, that's reassuring. I'm booked for laughing gas next week and honestly a bit nervous - never had sedation before. Did you feel totally aware the whole time or kinda spaced out?

Laughing gas is usually pretty gentle - I see patients use it regularly, and most describe it as feeling relaxed and a bit floaty, but still aware enough to answer questions or follow instructions. It's not really sedation in the sense that you're totally out of it; more like you're just chilled out and less anxious. I had a patient once tell me afterward that he felt like he was sinking into the chair, but he could still hear everything clearly. It wears off quickly too, so you shouldn't feel groggy afterward.

If your anxiety is mild to moderate, laughing gas is usually enough. IV sedation is stronger - you're technically awake but often don't remember much afterward. Personally, I'd say laughing gas is the way to go for something straightforward like an extraction unless you're extremely nervous or it's a complicated procedure.

Curious though...did your dentist let you pick your own music or was Queen just their go-to playlist?

"Laughing gas is usually pretty gentle - I see patients use it regularly, and most describe it as feeling relaxed and a bit floaty..."

That's mostly true, but honestly, for me, laughing gas never really did the trick. I tend to be hyper-aware during dental procedures, and the gas just made me feel slightly dizzy without actually calming my nerves. IV sedation was a game changer though - barely remembered a thing afterward. And btw, my dentist always plays classic rock too...maybe it's a dentist thing?

Laughing gas can be hit or miss for sure. I've seen patients who barely notice it, while others swear by it. IV sedation definitely helps if you're super anxious...and yeah, classic rock playlists seem pretty standard at dental offices - maybe it's meant to distract us all from the drills?