We went with laughing gas too, mostly because IV sedation was way pricier and insurance didn't cover much. Honestly, it worked out great—my son was relaxed enough, procedure went smoothly, and he was back to normal pretty quick afterward. Worth considering if budget's a factor...
We did the laughing gas route too for my daughter last year—mostly because she gets super anxious about needles, and IV sedation seemed like it'd just add to her stress. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first (like, how much can laughing gas really help?), but it worked surprisingly well. She was calm enough that the dentist could do his thing without any issues, and afterward she bounced back fast. Definitely a solid option if you wanna keep things simple and affordable.
"Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first (like, how much can laughing gas really help?), but it worked surprisingly well."
Did the laughing gas really help that much with anxiety? I'm scheduled to get two teeth extracted next month, and I'm honestly pretty nervous about it. Needles freak me out big time, so IV sedation feels like a nightmare scenario. But I'm also worried laughing gas won't be strong enough to keep me calm during the procedure. Last time I had dental work done, even minor stuff, my anxiety was through the roof and I couldn't stop shaking. Did your daughter feel completely relaxed or was she still aware of what was happening? Just trying to figure out if laughing gas is enough or if I should push myself to try IV sedation despite my needle phobia...
I was in your shoes a few months ago—super anxious about dental work and needles are definitely NOT my thing. Decided to give laughing gas a shot because the thought of IV sedation made me even more nervous. Honestly, it didn't knock me out completely or anything, but it really took the edge off. I was still aware of what was happening, but it felt kind of distant, like I was there but not totally bothered by it. Hard to explain exactly...like being half-asleep and relaxed enough that the anxiety just wasn't as intense.
If needles freak you out that much, I'd personally try the laughing gas first. You might be surprised how effective it is. Worst-case scenario, if it doesn't feel enough, you can always reconsider IV sedation next time. Good luck—it's probably gonna go smoother than you think.
"Honestly, it didn't knock me out completely or anything, but it really took the edge off."
That's exactly how I'd describe laughing gas for most of my patients. I've seen countless people come in super anxious—especially about needles—and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) usually does a great job at dialing down the anxiety without completely knocking you out. It's like you're still aware of the procedure, but your brain just isn't as bothered by it. I've had patients tell me afterward that they felt relaxed enough to zone out, almost like daydreaming or being half-asleep.
IV sedation is definitely stronger and can be great for more invasive or lengthy procedures, but honestly, if needles are a big trigger for your anxiety, starting with laughing gas makes practical sense. I've seen patients who initially thought they'd need IV sedation end up pleasantly surprised by how manageable things became with just nitrous. Plus, there's less prep involved, and you bounce back quicker afterward—no grogginess lingering around all day.
Of course, everyone's different, and some people genuinely need the deeper sedation IV provides. But from experience, I'd say give laughing gas a try first—especially if your main concern is anxiety rather than pain itself. Worst-case scenario, you'll know better next time what works best for you.
Either way, you're making the right move by exploring your options ahead of time. Anxiety about dental work is super common, and you're definitely not alone. Most patients tell me afterward that the anticipation was way worse than the actual experience. You've got this!
