Cost of sedation at dentists?

no.1swimmum

Ripplyuk you are not alone by any means, just the thought of a check up at the dentist turns me to a quivering mess, in fact DH makes my appointments and doesn't tell me til the morning, I normally have the first appointment of the day. Just a check up and I am in tears, its irrational and stupid I know but I have no idea why. My Dentist is brilliant with me, and I have now managed a filling with only an injection.

When I needed a lot of treatment I was referred to a local clinic that deals with nervous patients, and I had what they called awake sedation, I had to be accompanied there and home, and was not at all ill from the anaesthetic, which is normal for me. I had several teeth removed and fillings and it cost me around £90, I can't remember the exact amount but I remember asking if that was per tooth and it wasn't it was for the whole treatment, it really surprised me. It was amazing they were wonderfully understanding, and in no way made me feel silly for being so anxious. I know that should I need further treatment like this I would be fine but I had put of for years visiting the dentist because i was embarrassed about how I behave.

My Dentist allows my husband to come in with me and explains everything carefully to me and I have progressed so much now - still don't think I could attend alone but maybe one day - do ask if you can have your treatment this way, I wished I had done so years ago.

Soot2006

Another +1 for being upfront with dentist.

I used to be a real wuss going to the dentist - was so terrified, and felt physically sick, etc .... A new dentist then took the time to talk to be about it. I needed two impacted wisdom teeth out. She was chatting to me, telling me about her holiday and encouraging me to zone out a bit (no sedation!) and suddenly there was my wisdom tooth! It was like a weight lifted from my shoulders and I paid real close attention to the second one coming out and the stitches and it suddenly wasn't half as scary any more. The fear of what COULD be is much worse that the reality of dentists. A kind, patient dentist is worth their weight in gold.

(in fact this dentist is in France near my parents' house, so I have an excuse to go to France now haha)

ripplyuk

Well I managed to go. I must have looked obviously terrified as the receptionist came over while I was waiting asking me if I was ok and trying to reassure me. When the dentist called me in, at the start I could barely speak but he was very patient and and I told him how frightened I am. He said the sedation is £80 which seems quite good. Strangely, I ended up fainting after the appointment, not during it, which was odd when I should have been relieved to have it over and done with.

It's bad news though. I thought it might be the filling needs replaced but he said the tooth is cracked and he thinks it might extend into the root. My options are to extract it or try doing a root canal and crown, but he said no one can tell if that will work. He didn't seem that optimistic about it.

I just couldn't make a decision so he told me to ring back tomorrow and let him know. Both options sound awful and he said the root canal and crown would cost about £1000, so more debt if I do that. I just can't make a decision at all as I feel weak every time I think about it. I'll end up leaving it until it really hurts. I just wish he'd decide for me.

I hate teeth.

suki1964

Tbh I'd have it extracted

Root canal and crown will take a lot of time in the chair and as your dentist says, it may not even work

I'm not one for advocating getting teeth pulled as it really is a slippery slope

I would advise booking a hygienist appointment as well so you can be taught how to really clean your teeth and gums. Prevention is better then cure and looking after your teeth and gums now is the cheaper and more painless option

Well done for today. Now you got this one under your belt, your next visit will be easier. And don't be in such a rush to get out next time. Ask for a drink of water and sit a while

ripplyuk

Thanks suki. I did think to go for the extraction mainly because it was the first thing the dentist suggested, and I prefer the thought of getting it all over and done with. But there's such pressure to keep any tooth at any cost that I feel like a failure.

I do look after my teeth but my mum wasn't too bothered about it when I was a child so I ended up with two big fillings. One has already been extracted and this is the other. Since I've been old enough to look after them myself, I've only needed to see the hygienist once and that was brief. My dentist said this crack has happened because the filling is so big, the tooth is weak.

I think the fainting was because I was so full of adrenaline and felt like a wild animal getting out of there. I don't even remember paying (though I have the receipt!). I haven't been able to stop crying today so it's just too stressful. I'll definitely have the sedation.

suki1964

If the tooth is that badly cracked extraction may well be the best option

Root canal is is brilliant when it works, when it doesn't you are again faced with extraction

Your not a failure. I've been spending hundreds of pounds a year to try keep my top teeth, paying hygienist and buying tepee brushed, floss sticks, special toothpastes and mouthwashes. Last year I had two removed, last week another two. I've six left now and I one more has definitely got to be removed sometime sooner rather then later ( failed root filling) Luckily I'm no longer a spring chicken and I learned to laugh without opening my mouth years ago

It isn't ideal having a tooth extracted, but it certainly doesn't make you a failure

paddyrg

£80 for sedation is a bargain, just take it.

missbiggles1

Alternatively, ask your dentist (or doctor) for a prescription for tranquilisers that you can take before treatment.

ripplyuk

I'm booked in for tomorrow afternoon to get it extracted with sedation. Total cost is £200 as they said it would be a surgical extraction. I'm really unsure if I'm doing the right thing or if I'll regret it, but its starting to hurt quite a lot so I don't want to leave it.

My last extraction (with a different dentist) was a total nightmare. This receptionist kept saying how it wouldn't be anything like that with this dentist as he is an oral surgeon. I'm not really sure what that means but I guess he's experienced.

It does seem cheaper than other dentists for sedation. I'm now worrying it means they won't give me enough of the stuff and I'll have to call it off. Hope I'm just being paranoid.

ripplyuk

I'm starting to freak out now. The pain has spread all over my face, and I can't get rid of this awful headache despite taking lots of painkillers. Does this mean it'll be more painfull tomorrow? Will the sedation and local anaesthetic not work?

I'm thinking I should cancel it and ask for antibiotics and leave it for a while. My partner isn't happy about me getting the tooth extracted anyway. He doesn't like me having anything 'wrong' and thinks I should just leave it.

Dentists aren't that good with nervous people like me. They ought to just tell me what to do and get on with it. All these 'options' just make things impossible for me when I'm too scared to even think straight.