F
fearedforyears
Junior member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2011
- Messages
- 15
To understand my success story means I have to explain why I was in fear for so long. And particularly why I put off the dentist for so long. You see, when I was a lot younger (around 13 or 14) my mom was taking me regularly to a Children's dentist who was kind, wonderful and didn't lie to me about what he was going to be doing to trick me into things. Well, long story short he died and that as unfortunate as that was, I needed to get some work done so my mom thought it'd be a great idea to send me to her dentist. To complicate things further, they both had in mind that they were going to trick me about the LA and say I wasn't getting it. Then, after he did a cleaning he pulled it out and told me "oh don't be baby, it no hurt..." and at that point I told him firmly "no". It wasn't necessary as the numbing topical gel was working fine and it was a loose baby tooth he was removing. Finally, he got the baby tooth removed and I didn't see him for a while but then came back a few months later for a cleaning and he decided to make this particular cleaning quite painful (as a sort of payback). I told my mom about this and she passed it off and therein began my dental phobia.
When I was about 18 or so, I realized that my teeth needed some work. Having my phobia though was really pushing me over the top. That and I lived in the US at the time and the price of any work is ridiculously expensive. Not only did I not make good enough money, insurance was all but affordable for me so I put it off. I moved to Costa Rica and things changed.
Now fast forward to a few weeks ago. I had planned for the longest time to go but I just never found the right time. There is no right time. There is only time wasted not doing it and stressing over it. Believe me, I know this all too well.
So, I made an appointment to see a Dentist and have a general checkup. Much to my surprise, I didn't actually have to have all my teeth pulled and get dentures and most of my teeth were actually quite healthy even after all this time. He was kind, I explained and talked with him beforehand that it had been a very long time and that I didn't want any negative criticism because that doesn't help anyone. Just tell me what needs to get done (road map) and let's get started.
Being an anxious person because of my phobia, he was very open to letting me know that sedation would be the route I would need to take in order to get 4 RCT's. He unfortunately didn't offer sedation in his clinic and had the humility to admit that he couldn't help me but highly reccomended I found a clinic that could. He even went as far as to start looking thru his own connections for one. Great guy, I might say.
So finally I found a clinic, expressed my same concerns and they were more than happy to do sedation at whatever level I felt comfortable. I told them I was getting over my phobia but wasn't ready to sit in the chair for RCT's (an hour each). They understood. In fact, the first 3 I had done in one day I don't remember a thing. There was some discomfort and discontent for the first week because it was very hard to eat, but I remained as positive as I could with the help of my wonderful Wife and made it thru the week.
I went back in today to finish the last RCT and get some temp crowns and fitted for the actual crowns which will be put in Friday along with a cleaning. This time they used less sedation and I actually was awake thru some of the procedure but I actually remained calm and in control. I'm happy they did that, because it not only helped me get over my phobia but it also helps me realize myself.
So there you have it. All I have left is the perm crowns this friday and a cleaning and my mouth will be 100% healthy again
Thanks for reading and I hope it inspires people that are still in the situation I was in to seek your options and make it happen!![[smiley=jumping.gif]](/forum/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/dfcsmilies/jumping.gif "Jumping [smiley=jumping.gif]")
If price is the problem for you guys then save a tax return and come on down to Costa Rica. In total I've paid ~$2000 for 4 RCT's, IV sedation (2 times) and 4 porcelain high noble fused to metal crowns (not cheap in the States whatsoever and they are the best right now)... They not only picked me up and brought me back from appointments (you'll need someone after the sedation), but they cut $100's off here, $100's off there and gave me fillings free.
Cheers
When I was about 18 or so, I realized that my teeth needed some work. Having my phobia though was really pushing me over the top. That and I lived in the US at the time and the price of any work is ridiculously expensive. Not only did I not make good enough money, insurance was all but affordable for me so I put it off. I moved to Costa Rica and things changed.
Now fast forward to a few weeks ago. I had planned for the longest time to go but I just never found the right time. There is no right time. There is only time wasted not doing it and stressing over it. Believe me, I know this all too well.
So, I made an appointment to see a Dentist and have a general checkup. Much to my surprise, I didn't actually have to have all my teeth pulled and get dentures and most of my teeth were actually quite healthy even after all this time. He was kind, I explained and talked with him beforehand that it had been a very long time and that I didn't want any negative criticism because that doesn't help anyone. Just tell me what needs to get done (road map) and let's get started.
Being an anxious person because of my phobia, he was very open to letting me know that sedation would be the route I would need to take in order to get 4 RCT's. He unfortunately didn't offer sedation in his clinic and had the humility to admit that he couldn't help me but highly reccomended I found a clinic that could. He even went as far as to start looking thru his own connections for one. Great guy, I might say.
So finally I found a clinic, expressed my same concerns and they were more than happy to do sedation at whatever level I felt comfortable. I told them I was getting over my phobia but wasn't ready to sit in the chair for RCT's (an hour each). They understood. In fact, the first 3 I had done in one day I don't remember a thing. There was some discomfort and discontent for the first week because it was very hard to eat, but I remained as positive as I could with the help of my wonderful Wife and made it thru the week.
I went back in today to finish the last RCT and get some temp crowns and fitted for the actual crowns which will be put in Friday along with a cleaning. This time they used less sedation and I actually was awake thru some of the procedure but I actually remained calm and in control. I'm happy they did that, because it not only helped me get over my phobia but it also helps me realize myself.
So there you have it. All I have left is the perm crowns this friday and a cleaning and my mouth will be 100% healthy again
Thanks for reading and I hope it inspires people that are still in the situation I was in to seek your options and make it happen!
If price is the problem for you guys then save a tax return and come on down to Costa Rica. In total I've paid ~$2000 for 4 RCT's, IV sedation (2 times) and 4 porcelain high noble fused to metal crowns (not cheap in the States whatsoever and they are the best right now)... They not only picked me up and brought me back from appointments (you'll need someone after the sedation), but they cut $100's off here, $100's off there and gave me fillings free.
Cheers
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