We went through something similar recently, and honestly, your post sums up a lot of what I've been debating. I'm usually pretty analytical about these things, so naturally, I've been reading up on both options. Laughing gas seems straightforward and budget-friendly, but IV sedation does sound like it could really help ease anxiety—especially if dental visits trigger stress or panic.
My dentist mentioned that IV sedation also allows them to control the sedation level more precisely, which could be safer overall. But then again, there's the whole needle thing—my son is terrified of needles, so that's another hurdle to consider. Did your daughter struggle with that at all?
Still leaning toward IV sedation myself, mainly because the idea of him not remembering the procedure afterward sounds appealing. Dental anxiety can snowball quickly, and I'd rather nip it in the bud now than face bigger battles later. Thanks for sharing your experience—it definitely helps hearing from someone who's been there.
My dentist recommended IV sedation for my extraction a while back, and honestly, it was great. I'm not needle-phobic myself, but they numbed the area first, so I barely felt it. Plus, like you said:
"the idea of him not remembering the procedure afterward sounds appealing."
Exactly my experience... woke up wondering when they'd start!
Glad to hear your IV sedation experience went so smoothly. I totally understand why you'd prefer not remembering the procedure—it's a common sentiment, especially when dealing with dental anxiety or more involved procedures like extractions.
I've had both IV sedation and laughing gas (nitrous oxide) at different times, and both have their merits. IV sedation, as you've experienced, is fantastic for completely eliminating awareness of the procedure. It's particularly helpful if you're anxious or if the extraction is expected to be complex or lengthy. Like you said, you wake up feeling like nothing happened—pretty amazing, honestly.
On the other hand, nitrous oxide can be great too, depending on your comfort level and the complexity of the procedure. It doesn't knock you out completely, but it does take the edge off significantly. I found it helpful during a simpler extraction because it relaxed me just enough without needing full sedation. Plus, one advantage is that the effects wear off very quickly afterward, which means you can usually drive yourself home afterward (with IV sedation, obviously, you'll need someone else to drive you).
Ultimately, it depends on your personal comfort level and the specifics of your procedure. If you prefer zero memory or have considerable anxiety, IV sedation is probably your best bet. But if you're relatively calm and it's a straightforward extraction, nitrous oxide might be sufficient and simpler overall.
Either way, it's great your dentist numbed the area before inserting the IV—that's a thoughtful touch many patients appreciate. Sounds like you're in good hands.
"Ultimately, it depends on your personal comfort level and the specifics of your procedure."
I agree with this overall, but I'd add that sometimes IV sedation can feel a bit excessive for simpler extractions. I've had a couple of straightforward wisdom teeth removed with just nitrous oxide, and honestly, it was perfectly manageable. Sure, you don't completely forget the procedure, but the gas relaxes you enough that you're not really bothered by what's happening. Plus, like you mentioned, being able to drive yourself home afterward is a huge convenience.
On the flip side, IV sedation definitely has its place—especially for more complicated or lengthy procedures. But I think people sometimes underestimate how effective nitrous oxide can be for mild anxiety or quick extractions. It's less invasive overall and usually cheaper too... something worth considering if you're weighing your options.
Sure, you don't completely forget the procedure, but the gas relaxes you enough that you're not really bothered by what's happening. Plus, like you mentioned, being able to drive yourself home afte...
Totally agree nitrous oxide can be underrated. I've seen plenty of patients surprised by how smoothly things went with just laughing gas. But everyone's different—curious, did you find the noise or sensations during extraction bothersome at all?
