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Posted 12/19/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have experience with sleep dentistry?

Dougie broke a molar and also has tooth pain on the other side. Both are top last molars (not wisdoms). He has a very shallow gag reflex and our DDS can't even get a bite wing back there without him being in distress. So...off to the sleep dentist. His GI said it would be okay, but I wanted to check in to see if anyone has experience with this.

Gathering information before making the calls.

Thank you!

Emma
Posted 12/19/2011 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have LOTS of experience with this, as I have a phobia when it comes to having extractions. I also spent a large portion of my life in dental chairs from an early age...inherited lousy teeth with not much enamel. Anyway...as far as I'm concerned, it's the way to go. They will give him a sedative by IV that will knock him out. He will not be conscious and will not remember a thing. In my case, they have a problem getting a vein--to the extent that the last extractions I had done by an oral surgeon, he had to give the med IM...which also worked, but took a bit for me to fall asleep. I did have root canals, crowns, etc., performed while awake. However, they had to use massive doses of Lidocaine to numb me. BTW, he should be fasting when he is put to sleep.

What both of you may need to be aware of: He may enjoy being "knocked out" a little too much. If this triggers a desire to drink, he needs to go to the counselor, a meeting, something. While he probably won't experience this, it's something to be aware of.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 12/19/2011 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie.

Is the meds for the sleep dentistry the same that are used for colonoscopy?

Also thanks for the "knocked-out" tip and the empty stomach. I hadn't thought of that.

He is just feeling like a cave man right now...tooth shattered while he was eating. He was spitting out pieces of the tooth. Other side just has been a sore tooth. Going to get as much done at the same time as possible.
Posted 12/20/2011 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, I'm not even sure if I asked what drug they were using. All I cared about was that I wasn't awake for it. smilewinkgrin It was not conscious sedation like Versed. Is he going to have that shattered tooth extracted? If the root is okay, he might be able to get a crown. With the sore one, he'll have to have x-rays (with both teeth, I'm sure, if he hasn't already had them) to determine what needs to be done. I do know that with the last oral surgeon I went to, the first visit was a consult, x-rays, and an estimate of what it would cost (thousands), and an appt. was made for the actual extractions.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 12/20/2011 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Emma,

When I have a filling - I get Nitrous Oxide (happy gas) + gum injections.

Nitrous oxide - you are aware of things going on around you - but not bothered. It doesnt (for me) numb pain - that is what the injections are for.

I had a root canal done once - and was referred to a specialist dentist. There, I was given an IV drip and I am told it was Valium. I was out cold for the entire procedure. Not aware of anything at all.

Hope that helps.
Posted 12/20/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
That's funny. I was awake for all my root canals. They have changed drastically from years ago...not a bit of pain...plus getting a specialist helps. Nitrous oxide made me paranoid....and hallucinatory.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 12/20/2011 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Connie,
"Nitrous oxide made me paranoid....and hallucinatory"

Me too - but not as paranoid as I was when fully aware with a diamond bit drill at 18,000 rpm heading for my mouth !!!
:)
Posted 12/20/2011 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Mr. E.

Hubby needs the sleep dentistry because the two problem teeth are the last molars in the back on both right and left sides. He has a very shallow gag reflex so the DDS can't work on those back teeth...they can't even get a decent x-ray.

So it's off to the fancy dentist we go. Sometime soon for the initial consultation.

Emma
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