I totally get where you're coming from... sedation can feel intimidating, especially if you're prone to anxiety. I've had both laughing gas and IV sedation, so maybe my experience could help a bit. Laughing gas was pretty mellow for me—definitely took the edge off, but I was still aware of everything going on. It felt like being slightly spaced out, relaxed but not completely zoned. I did feel a little nervous at first, but once it kicked in, the anxiety definitely eased up a ton.
IV sedation was a different story—you're pretty much out of it during the procedure, which is great if anxiety is a big issue. But yeah, afterward I felt groggy and sleepy for a few hours. For what it's worth, I didn't experience nausea myself, though I've heard some people do. My dentist suggested eating something light beforehand (like toast or crackers) to prevent nausea, and that seemed to work well for me.
Either way, just let your dentist know you're anxious—they're usually pretty understanding and can help you decide what's best based on your comfort level. You've got this!
I've had IV sedation twice now, and honestly, it was a lifesaver for my anxiety. Didn't feel a thing during the extraction, just woke up feeling a bit fuzzy afterward. Laughing gas wasn't enough for me personally... still felt too aware of the procedure.
Totally agree, IV sedation sounds like the way to go. Laughing gas just doesn't seem strong enough for someone like me who's already anxious about dental stuff... I'd rather be completely out and wake up when it's all over. Glad it worked well for you!
I was leaning towards IV sedation too, but ended up trying laughing gas first because my dentist suggested it for a simpler extraction. Honestly, it wasn't as weak as I thought it'd be. I was pretty anxious beforehand—like sweaty palms anxious—but after a few breaths, I felt surprisingly calm and relaxed. Didn't knock me out completely though, so I was still aware of what was happening. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, lol. If you're really nervous and want zero memory of it, IV sedation might still be your best bet. But if you ever have something minor or wanna avoid the whole needle-in-the-arm thing, laughing gas isn't terrible. Just my two cents from someone who's been there and survived to tell the tale...
"Didn't knock me out completely though, so I was still aware of what was happening. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, lol."
Haha, I totally get this. I had IV sedation once for a wisdom tooth extraction because my anxiety was through the roof. Honestly, it worked wonders—I remember absolutely nothing about the procedure itself. But the downside was feeling groggy and out-of-it for most of the day afterward. If you're okay with being somewhat aware, laughing gas could be enough...but if you prefer zero memory, IV sedation is pretty reliable.
