Is it common for a dentist to use laughing gas when doing an extraction?

Question

I'm getting three miolars out tomorrow, and I am terrified as heck. Someone just told me that they probably wouldn't use laughing gas - just freezing. I'm so scared, the only comfort I had was this laughing gas to help me... I mean, this dentist doesn't even prescribe heavy pain pills after, and now... this? Do you think this is true? I am worrying now, and it's too late to ask them... I go in tomorrow, and am scared that they won't use it, and I'm scared to ask them... I'm basically very scared. It took a lot of courage for me to even make an apt, and now I'm even more sacred. I'm scared of pain, and scared of them cutting some nerve and me dying, and I'm scared that I won't even have laughing gas!

Is this something dentists usually do, or is laughing gas only for children who can't get freezing, or something? Please help!

Answer 1

Freezing?  I've never heard of that.  Every time I've had a tooth extracted, the dentist has used the laughing gas.  (LOVELY stuff.)  And of course, they still give you the normal shot of anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth.

My husband recently had a couple of teeth extracted.  His dentist didn't use the gas on him.  I don't know what they gave him to keep him calm, but it sure worked.  And again, they also gave him the injections of local anesthetic.

It's okay to be scared, honest it is.  But please believe me, even if you're going to an oral surgeon to have some impacted teeth cut out, the likelihood of a nerve being damaged is pretty small.  It also isn't very common for people to die at the dentist's office.

Your dentist will have gas, Valium, or something to help you stay calm.  If they don't offer, then ask for it.  You're the patient, and you have the right to ask.  Just be sure someone else goes with you who can drive you home if they do give you any kind of sedative.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, it is common, but it does depend on the dentist and the procedure. Maybe you won't even need them.

Don't be afraid to ask though. If your dentist is any good -- and I am sure they are -- then they will listen to your concerns. It is pretty common for dentists to give patients some laughing gas especially if they are nervous.

And don't worry, there is absolutely no way at all that you can die from having your tooth extracted. The worst that could possibly happen is that he'd hit a sensitive spot, but even that is just a brief twinge. Your dentist absolutely will give you numbing injections before beginning the procedure so even if he does hit a nerve you won't be able to feel it.

I promise you, it will be painless and perfectly safe. Maybe a little soreness afterward from keeping your mouth open so long, but that is easily remedied with an aspirin. The only nerves you have to worry about are the ones you're fraying by fretting so much... you will be absolutely fine! Explain to your dentist that you are nervous and he will go nice and slow and make sure you are calmed down. Maybe he will let you listen to music too. But you will be fine!

Answer 3

they will definetely use laughing gas. ive never heard of freezing. is that just numbing? if they touch any nerve (which they wont) theres 0% of you dying. thats not even possible.