I totally get where you're coming from with the laughing gas. Had a similar experience myself a couple years back when I had to get a wisdom tooth pulled. Honestly, I was pretty nervous too—like, "can't sleep the night before" nervous. I debated IV sedation for a while, but the thought of being completely knocked out kinda freaked me out more than the procedure itself.
Anyway, I ended up going with laughing gas, and it was surprisingly chill. The dentist explained everything step-by-step beforehand, which helped ease my anxiety a bit. Once the gas kicked in, it felt like I was floating a little—sort of like being wrapped in a warm blanket, if that makes sense? I could still hear and see everything, but it was like watching it happen to someone else. Definitely weird, but in a good way.
Afterward, I was expecting to feel super out of it, but honestly, I bounced back pretty quickly. I mean, I wasn't exactly ready to tackle my to-do list or anything, but I managed to binge-watch a few episodes of my favorite show without zoning out completely. And bonus points: no embarrassing videos of me babbling nonsense afterward (unlike my friend who went the IV route...poor guy still hasn't lived that down, lol).
That said, I do know people who've gone with IV sedation and swear by it. They liked being completely unaware during the procedure and waking up when it's all over. So, like you said, everyone's different. But if you're on the fence and budget-conscious, laughing gas is definitely worth considering. It hits that sweet spot between feeling comfortable and not breaking the bank.
I had a similar dilemma last year when I needed two teeth extracted. I'm usually pretty analytical about these things, so I spent way too much time researching sedation options online (probably more than was healthy, lol). Ended up going with IV sedation because my anxiety was through the roof, and honestly, it was a relief to just wake up and have it done. Recovery wasn't bad either, though I was definitely groggy for a few hours afterward. Guess it really depends on your comfort level and anxiety threshold...
Totally agree with you about IV sedation—especially for someone anxious (like me!). I was terrified before my first extraction, kept imagining worst-case scenarios. Tried laughing gas once for a filling and honestly, it wasn't enough to quiet my nerves. With IV sedation, though, it felt like no time passed at all. Just woke up and it was over... huge relief. Sure, the grogginess afterward is a bit annoying, but I'd take sleepy confusion over anxiety any day.
I get why IV sedation is appealing, especially if anxiety is a big issue. But honestly, laughing gas worked pretty well for me. The trick was having a dentist who really took their time easing me into it—slowly increasing the gas until I felt relaxed enough. Sure, I was still aware of what was happening, but it felt distant and manageable. Plus, afterward I wasn't groggy at all, just a bit floaty for a few minutes. Might be worth another shot if you ever need something less intense.
"Plus, afterward I wasn't groggy at all, just a bit floaty for a few minutes."
Floaty is exactly the right word—I remember feeling like I'd just stepped off a boat after laughing gas. IV sedation was a bit heavy-handed for me personally. Curious, did anyone else find the laughing gas wore off quicker than expected?
