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Dental drill

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Dipsyblonde148

Junior member
Joined
Sep 21, 2019
Messages
5
Location
Cardiff
I desperately need dental treatment but have a phobia with the dental drill. I honestly wake in the morning with a feeling of dread cause I know the day is fast approaching where I need a dental visit. Are the drills still as noisy, is there a quicker route, should I have oral sedation. I'm making myself I'll just by thinking about it. Thanks for reading
 
I desperately need dental treatment but have a phobia with the dental drill. I honestly wake in the morning with a feeling of dread cause I know the day is fast approaching where I need a dental visit. Are the drills still as noisy, is there a quicker route, should I have oral sedation. I'm making myself I'll just by thinking about it. Thanks for reading

Hi! I understand completely the never ending daily struggle with knowing you need to get dental work sorted, yet are fearful of what that will involve.

I have dental anxiety myself and have just had my third procedure done with IV sedation. I have found it to be very effective and it is extremely safe, but this is just one of several types of sedation you can have. There is a lot of information about the different options for sedation in the 'What Can Help' section, and I'm sure you will find it very helpful.

I've often read on the forum where people who are anxious about having treatment have said that the drill is nothing like as loud and intimidating as it used to be, and it's true that dentistry has progressed so much in the past few decades, which is such a blessing for us anxious patients?.
Do you have a dentist right now? If not, start researching and make up a short list of dental practices that you think might be a good fit for you. You say you need dental treatment "desperately" so take a step towards your ultimate goal of having treatment done, today. No matter how small that step, it will get you nearer to success and further away from the stress and pain of your present situation.

All best wishes!?
 
Thank you so much for reply
I have started looking for dentists near me to help. I have a few health issues at mo in that I'm not currently mobile and suffer with neuralgia pain. Just need to get it done if only to give me peace of mind. One thing less to worry about. Thanks
 
Thank you so much for reply
I have started looking for dentists near me to help. I have a few health issues at mo in that I'm not currently mobile and suffer with neuralgia pain. Just need to get it done if only to give me peace of mind. One thing less to worry about. Thanks

That's great that you've been actively searching for a new dentist?
I'm sorry to hear that you have the health issues that you do and you are absolutely correct, the best way to resolve these nagging thoughts you have and any pain is to get any necessary treatment done, and get it all behind you.
It's possible that if you meet with a dentist who you really feel a connection with and feel 'safe' with, that you won't feel the need sedation, but if you do, there are many success stories on the forum about how well it works for the vast majority of us?
Feel free to ask any questions about the type of sedation I've had and feel free to vent your anxiety and concerns!
Let us know how it goes!
 
Thanks feel better just texting I've been housebound for a year and have lost all confidence. Will keep in touch
 
Thanks feel better just texting I've been housebound for a year and have lost all confidence. Will keep in touch

I'm really glad? I really do know how horrible it is to have all the anxiety and fear bottled up inside and then the relief when we find someone who empathizes. I'm sure that being housebound just intensifies those difficult feelings, it must be really hard for you right now but try to keep calm and think positive thoughts while you go forward. You will find a lot of people like you and I on this forum. You are not alone, we really want to help.
 
Thank you so much really appreciated
 
Dipsyblonde148

I'm not sure what you will need the drill for but.. some positive news. My son just had fillings at our dentist with a new waterlaser! No drill, and no need for anesthetic! He thought it was cool actually. No noise and no pain. Not sure if this is something your dentist might have or can be used for what you need. But for fillings.. it might be an option
 
Dipsyblonde148

I'm not sure what you will need the drill for but.. some positive news. My son just had fillings at our dentist with a new waterlaser! No drill, and no need for anesthetic! He thought it was cool actually. No noise and no pain. Not sure if this is something your dentist might have or can be used for what you need. But for fillings.. it might be an option

That DOES sound positive! I've vaguely.heard about this kind of drill but never heard anyone's experience until now. Can it be used for any type of dental treatment? Is it expensive?
 
I would definitely get to my dentist pretty quick if I thought that was on offer. I really need to knock this on the head. I'll try Google see if there's anything in Cardiff. Thank you so much
 
Hi Dipsyblonde, it sounds as if you could get dental care through the Community Dental Service in Cardiff.

You would need a referral from a healthcare worker, for example your GP.

Alternatively, if you were looking at seeing a dentist privately, Steve Woolley is a specialist in special care dentistry. You can find more info here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/forum/threads/steve-woolley-cardiff.14058/ (not sure if they offer NHS treatment as well - you'd have to check with them!)

:welcome: to DFC!!
 
That DOES sound positive! I've vaguely.heard about this kind of drill but never heard anyone's experience until now. Can it be used for any type of dental treatment? Is it expensive?


Aurora, You know I'm not positive what exact procedures it can be used for. But for my son it was used for fillings. Below are some videos on patient testimonials. If you'd like there are other videos on the procedure, Use caution if anyone is triggered by dental videos. but for me its not too bad. Just stating some things it can be used for like fillings and soft tissue and gum diesese. The videos below are mostly patient testimonials and not dental procedures


HOnestly I was very afraid of my son getting cavities filled with local and drill for the first time, as good as our dentist was it brought back childhood memories . so when our dentist told my son he would use the new waterlaser, we were all really happy :).. so.. great for kids especially, not scary at all! Also for cost, the fillings didn't cost anymore using this than they would have with drill and local.. :). at least in my office. :)

I would do it again in aheart beat.
 
Finding a dentist in Cardiff who uses laser for fillings could prove challenging :unsure:? They are few and far between virtually anywhere in the world. Though you never know your luck! There are however more and more dentists who use electric handpieces which are quieter than the traditional air turbine ones :).
 
Aurora, You know I'm not positive what exact procedures it can be used for. But for my son it was used for fillings. Below are some videos on patient testimonials. If you'd like there are other videos on the procedure, Use caution if anyone is triggered by dental videos. but for me its not too bad. Just stating some things it can be used for like fillings and soft tissue and gum diesese. The videos below are mostly patient testimonials and not dental procedures


HOnestly I was very afraid of my son getting cavities filled with local and drill for the first time, as good as our dentist was it brought back childhood memories . so when our dentist told my son he would use the new waterlaser, we were all really happy :).. so.. great for kids especially, not scary at all! Also for cost, the fillings didn't cost anymore using this than they would have with drill and local.. :). at least in my office. :)

I would do it again in aheart beat.
Thanks for explaining a bit more about this and posting the videos, it sounds like a really huge development.!
 
No, lasers can't be used for everything.

They can only be used for new cavities, because they don't work on amalgam or composite, they don't work particularly well on enamel either, they're most effective in removing decay on the gum margin of teeth where they can cauterise the gum tissue at the same time as removing the decay. Considering how eye wateringly expensive they are to buy, I suspect that there's next to no chance of getting somebody to use one on NHS fees :)
 
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