Yeah, IV sedation always seemed a bit extreme to me too.
We went through something similar when my son had his extractions. Laughing gas alone didn't cut it for him—he was still pretty anxious and aware, just like your daughter. Oral sedation did make a noticeable difference though; it seemed to relax him more deeply without completely knocking him out like IV would. Still, combining methods does feel like a lot for kids...I totally get your hesitation. Did your dentist mention anything about dosage adjustments or maybe trying oral sedation alone next time?
We had a similar experience—laughing gas alone barely took the edge off for my daughter. Oral sedation worked better, but honestly, every kid reacts differently. Did your dentist talk about anxiety management techniques or distractions (like headphones or videos) during the procedure?
Totally agree that laughing gas alone isn't always enough—had a similar issue myself last year. Oral sedation did help me relax better, but honestly, what made the biggest difference was the dentist's approach. He took time to explain each step calmly and offered headphones with music, which surprisingly helped distract me from the procedure. Every kid (and adult!) responds differently, but combining sedation with distraction techniques can really ease anxiety...worth discussing with your dentist if you haven't yet.
Interesting perspective, but have you thought about IV sedation instead? I get that distraction helps some folks, but for me personally, IV sedation was a total game changer...felt like I blinked and it was over. Maybe worth considering if anxiety's really high.
Totally agree about IV sedation being a game changer. I was super anxious before my extraction, and laughing gas just didn't cut it for me—felt too aware of everything happening. With IV sedation, though, I barely remember a thing...just drifting off and waking up afterward. Only downside is you need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a bit, so that's something to keep in mind if logistics are tricky.
