IV sedation always sounded a bit too “full blackout” for my taste. Anyone ever get amnesia from IV? That’s what freaks me out a bit.
I get where you’re coming from. The idea of “losing time” with IV sedation does sound a little unnerving, especially if you like to feel in control. I’ve actually done both: nitrous with Valium for a wisdom tooth and then IV sedation for a more complicated extraction a couple years later. Honestly, the experiences were pretty different.
With the nitrous/Valium combo, I was super relaxed but still aware of what was happening—the sounds, the pressure, all that. Not painful, just kind of floaty and detached. I remember everything, which was fine for me, but I know some people find the noises and sensations a bit much even when they’re calm.
IV sedation, on the other hand, did give me a kind of “amnesia.” I remember getting the IV put in and chatting with the nurse, then it’s like I blinked and suddenly I was in recovery with gauze in my mouth. It wasn’t scary, though. More like a time skip. I was a little groggy for a few hours after, but nothing major. No weird dreams or anything—just a blank spot where the procedure happened. For me, that was actually kind of a relief, because I didn’t have to deal with any of the anxiety during the extraction itself.
But I totally get why that might freak you out. If you’re someone who likes to be at least a little aware, sticking with nitrous and a mild sedative is probably the way to go. One thing I’d add: with IV, you definitely need someone to drive you home and hang out with you for a while. With nitrous/Valium, I was able to bounce back a lot quicker.
It’s really about what makes you feel safest and least stressed. Dental anxiety is real, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Just thought I’d share the other side of the coin since I’ve been through both.
I’m super nervous about all this too. Haven’t done IV yet, but just had laughing gas for a filling and honestly, I was still kinda aware but way less anxious. The idea of not remembering anything with IV freaks me out a little, not gonna lie.
I totally get where you’re coming from. The idea of not remembering anything with IV sedation makes me uneasy too. I’ve only tried laughing gas so far, and even though I was still aware, it felt safer somehow because I knew what was happening. IV sounds a bit intense for me, honestly. I’m always worried about losing control or having a weird reaction… Maybe that’s just my anxiety talking, but I’d rather deal with some nerves than wake up and not remember a thing.
I get what you mean about wanting to stay aware—there’s something about being able to keep tabs on what’s going on that feels a bit safer, at least for me. I’ve had both laughing gas and IV over the years (unfortunately, my teeth have kept dentists in business). With the IV, I was surprised how quickly it all went by... next thing I knew, I was in recovery with no memory of the actual pulling. It was kind of unsettling at first, but honestly, I didn’t have any pain or weird side effects.
Still, I sort of prefer laughing gas for smaller stuff. At least I know if something feels off, I can say something right away. Has anyone else ever felt groggy or “off” for a while after IV? Mine wore off fast, but I’ve heard stories about feeling loopy for hours. Just makes me wonder if that’s common or if it depends on your age or health...
That’s a really common reaction, honestly. Some folks bounce back from IV sedation super fast, while others feel foggy or just “off” for a few hours—sometimes even the rest of the day. Age, metabolism, and even what you ate beforehand can play into it. I’ve seen younger patients perk up quickly, but older adults or those on certain meds can take longer. Laughing gas is definitely more predictable for staying alert, but IV is great for folks with real dental anxiety or for longer procedures. It’s all about what makes you feel safest and most comfortable, really.
