[Mini_Her]

You say the laughing gas wears off quickly. So, about how long does it last? One hour? Two hours?

[flossie]

As soon the dentist is near the end of the procedure he will start increasing the amount of oxygen you are getting until you are on pure oxygen. At this point, you will be feeling pretty much normal and can drive yourself home from your appointment. There will be no lingering effects.

[Mini_Her]

OK... I have an appointment with another dentist who promises to numb me much better than the previous dentist did. Not sure that's going to work. Numbing didn't seem to be the problem. My tooth seemed to be! PLEASE pray that it works out this time! I'm so scared :(

And I will have the laughing gas... I hope it helps.

[Wondergirl]

It sounds like you've got it covered. You'll let us know how it goes?

[Mini_Her]

Yes I'll let you guys know. But, don't all dentists use the same anesthesia?

[Wondergirl]

My dentist will rub my gum with his finger after he injects me with a very sharp needle. No other dentist ever did that. He will also rub a topical numbing goop on my gum before he gives me shots. I don't know (flossie will), but I think the dentist has a variety of anesthesias to choose from, depending on the patient and the pain threshold.

[Mini_Her]

So, I finally had my root canal started today (the dentist found THREE canals!) and I was sedated with the laughing gas. During the procedure I was WELL relaxed! I felt no pain while they were performing but the minute they removed the oxygen mask, the tooth they were working on started aching. More than an hour later, I am still aching! It's not SOOO bad but it's aching. So, I guess the laughing gas does help with pain :)

I go back next week to complete the root canal.

[flossie]

Some Advil will help with the pain you have right now.

[Wondergirl]

Thanks for the report. We always like to know what happened!

Did he give you shots of novacaine (or whatever they use nowadays)?

[Mini_Her]

What is Novacaine? He did use shots, he injected something into my gums.

[Wondergirl]

What is Novacaine? He did use shots, he injected something into my gums.

Flossie would give you a better explanation. It's a shot(s) to numb the gum around the tooth to be worked on. Usually the effect lasts for about three hours (I've timed it).

[Mini_Her]

Flossie would give you a better explanation. It's a shot(s) to numb the gum around the tooth to be worked on. Usually the effect lasts for about three hours (I've timed it).

Yea I think that's what he gave me! In fact, he might have given me too much! The entire left side of my face numb (including my eye lids)!

[Wondergirl]

Is it an upper tooth? Usually my cheek, eye, eye lid, and even part of my brain go numb for several hours.

[Mini_Her]

Is it an upper tooth? Usually my cheek, eye, eye lid, and even part of my brain go numb for several hours.

Yes it's an upper tooth... Your brain goes numb?? LOL!!

[Wondergirl]

Yes it's an upper tooth...Your brain goes numb????? LOL!!!

At least, that's my excuse -- it's the Novacaine.