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Post by Lily on Oct 14, 2005 14:17:56 GMT -5
I thought laughing gas worked not only as a relaxant but as a pain killer? The last 2 visits I have had I have felt the needles going into my gums and they damn well HURT and half way thro the procedure (drilling out old fillings and putting in new ones) I become VERY aware and lucid about whats going on and I become overwhelmed and panic...do I need more laughing gas? At one stage my dentist told me he had turned the gas off...why would he do that when he knows mt phobias are of him and his nurse being RIGHT in my personal space? I am soooo confused and anxious about my next visit in 3 days
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Post by letsconnect on Oct 14, 2005 19:11:13 GMT -5
Hi Lily, sorry to hear things aren't going too well for you . Laughing gas has some pain-relieving effects on soft tissues, but with injections, it really more depends on technique and speed at which the injection is given. Also, where tissue is infected (e. g. if you have an abscess), it can be hard if not impossible not to cause any discomfort, and there are one or two odd spots that are quite difficult to inject into totally painlessly. If you want to be unaware of treatment, IV sedation might be a better option for you, but it's more expensive (I don't know if your dentist would offer this ; not many do). Laughing gas can induce a pleasant drunk feeling, but in the normal way would leave you aware of your surroundings. Then again, have a look at Sabine's post here: dentalphobia.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1129208813&page=1Maybe her suggestions might be useful to you? There could be any number of reasons why your dentist turned off the gas, and it's impossible to second-guess. Maybe you became unresponsive to verbal communication, which is undesirable for conscious sedation (you don't want to end up in ER...). I honestly don't know Best thing to do would be to discuss these issues with your dentist and see if you can work something out !
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Post by artist Lily on Oct 16, 2005 1:38:37 GMT -5
Hiya LC ...thanks so much for responding to my query. I also posted in this forum as artist but for some reason it wouldnt let me post this thread so I went with my cats name instead of my user name. IV sedation is not available with my present dentist...bummer! I am very ok with the laughing gas so long as it doesnt wear off. I figure I have invested some serious money and emotional well being with this dentist so choose not to go searching for a different one. I figure when I next see him in 2 sleeps I will hand him a little note that he can put in my file...saying something to the effect of *GIVE THIS WOMAN GAS! Her phobia is not the needles not the drilling not the insane nosies...its all about her personal space being invaded* He will probably toss me out of his office maybe? *fingers crossed not*
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Post by letsconnect on Oct 16, 2005 13:41:18 GMT -5
I doubt it, as long as you ask nicely ;D... Best of luck for Tuesday - keeping my fingers crossed that things will go OK!!
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Post by Katie on Oct 16, 2005 22:18:12 GMT -5
The laughing gas at my dentist's office has levels, and I have to be on medium to feel completely relaxed.. They start me out in a low level for a couple minutes, then knock it up.. Also, you should make sure you are on the gas for a few minutes before they start working, so that it will have a chance to kick in As for the needles, does the dentist numb your gums before he does the injection? Mine has a lovely little spray that makes me go numb, and that, along with the gas, makes the needle completely painless..
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Post by artist lily on Oct 17, 2005 21:47:36 GMT -5
Hiya Katie...thanks for replying ;D Yes my dentist uses a numbing paste prior to the needle thing. I have only felt pain with 2 of the injections he has given me out of 6 and they were on my lower jaw and I have read that the lower jaw is sometimes a bit difficult to work on. I do believe he does'nt give me enough time to get 100% relaxed with the gas before he begins working on me AND he turns it off during procedure and it wears off so quickly I feel rather silly as I went to the dentists this morning and my next appointment is not until Nov 1st! doh! All morning I have been singing and oh soooo happy!!
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