I see this is an old old post, but thought that maybe someone out there still might wanna know an answer.
I just had all 8 of my amalgam fillings removed October 13th and opted to be not conscious of the whole thing. My dentist began by starting an IV, then started with the gas first which knocked me silly and then he added valium to "take me away from it all" I don't remember him numbing my mouth, but he did. I don't remember any of the procedure actually.
What he charged was 50.00 an hour extra for every hour he had me under. I'm thinking I was out for 3 hours.
I prepaid my part before the work which was 1,200.00 and the rest submitted to insurance which was like 1,500.00
I may be looking at a bill from the dentist if the insurance doesn't cover it all. From the looks of it, it might be another 600.00 out of my pocket. The money doesn't bother me any because it's money for a good cause...ME! :-)