Community Chat

[San Antonio Gal]

I've had some dental work done recently and I can honestly say that getting the gas has been a godsend.  Normally, I'm terrified to go to the dentist, but the gas takes all the anxiety away during the procedure.

What about you?  Do you need a little help or can you face the dentist cold turkey?

[Krimpette]

I've never had gas for any procedure....not even bone grafts, implants, etc.  Just plenty of novocaine!  I've always had to drive myself, so I didn't want to be put to sleep and maybe having to have a driver to take me home.

[Bhvbum]

The last thing I would want would be to put out cold during a dental procedure.  I've had plenty of work done, but none of it hasn't been bearable, and certainly not pleasant.  

I don't consider getting gas "a little help".  But if it gets you to the dentist to get the work that you need done, then do what you need to do.  

[vermint]

@San Antonio Gal  I'm OK for checkups, fillings and crowns--anything more makes me  anxious--and I've noticed this increasing as I get older. I did have the gas once, and didn't really like it.

I'm having some "minor" gum surgery in September and this periodontist is new to me. After he finished telling me about the procedure, he said "you don't seem like the anxious type, but if you want I can give you a prescrition for something to take just in case."  So he wrote me a scrip for Halcion.

The closer the surgery gets, the more I'm thinking about taking it!  He didn't mention using gas, and I'm OK with that.

[faeriemoon]

Why did my junior high brain immediately go to farting when I read the title of this thread?

[Caaareful Shopper]

@San Antonio Gal   You just gave me good chuckle!  I saw this thread title and thought of something else entirely 

Back to the question...no I've never gotten gas for a dental procedure, but I'd definitely consider it.  My dentist is encouraging me to get my wisdom teeth out soon.  Not looking forward to that at all. 

[Caaareful Shopper]

@faeriemoon  you are not alone! 

[gidgetgh]

I am usually good at the dentist, except for one thing. Dental impressions.  I have reached the point where, if I need another one in the future, I will need to be sedated. The second they put the tray in my mouth, I feel claustrophobic and I panic.  It is pure torture for me.  I mean that seriously. Panic city. 

Fortunately, a lot of dentists now have the machine that scans the tooth, eliminating the need for the gooey tray.  But last time I got a crown, I was told that only worked on the larger teeth, not the ones toward the front.

But then I was told at my last appt. That the scanner has been updated and now it pretty much does all teeth and that impressions are becoming more obsolete.  For people like me, that would be a godsend. 

[eadu4]

@San Antonio Gal  I've never had gas.  I have had wisdom teeth out, crowns, bone grafts, root canals etc, with just the lidocaine (they no longer use "novacaine" and havent for years).  I never had any pain during any procedure (afterwards I was sore for some but nothing that wasn't managable).  I understand the "fear" and I sympathize with those who suffer from it.  I wouldn't want to be put to sleep.  I want to be awake and if something goes wrong I want to know about it.  I'm glad there are methods that allow people to feel comfortable to get the procedures they need but no way do I want to be knocked out.  

[SoCal Bred]

Just novocaine will do it for me, I've had my share of dental work done through the years, fillings, extractions, root canals.