Please help! I'm Scared of the Dentist!!!

I am going to the oral surgeon next week about two problem molars! I have one on the top on both sides and they have broken and they are infected. On one side, my gum has a knot above the tooth! I know the knot is an infecton. I am very worried because I know such an infection can be dangerous! I am VERY scared! I want to be put out for someone just to look at my teeth! I hate the dentist! The nurse told me that the doctor gives a valium, laughing gas, and shots for pain before surgery. I am wondering if the laughing gas will put me to sleep. If not, do all oral surgeons have IV sedation so I know that I will be out and I won't be able to know what's going on?!?!

[Whitneylauren]

I am totally with you.... I hate going to the dentist. This is partially because my teeth are like chalk, and also because my father is my dentist! He lives in a small town so he does everything instead of referring his patients out.  I have been in that darn chair more times than I would care to count....
Laughing gas will not put you to sleep. I believe you have to have special setup to do IV sedation, as well as more qualifications- you will need to contact your dentist to see if this is offered. However, I do not think that they will put you out just to look at you, and valium is a pretty strong drug - it might do the trick.
Also, as you mentioned, ignored infections can and will kill you. Please do not put getting treatment off because you are too scared. :)