Dentist said lower gumline doesn't get numb?

[jahene6s]

Hi! I am new to the forum. I have several fillings, a couple crowns and a root canal. I recently switched dentists because I had some problems with a couple fillings my last dentist did. I had him for 12 years. So, on to my question, my new dentist was doing two fillings in one back molar, a small one in between and a small one on the outside gumline. I have never had so much pain to my gums during a filling while I am numb, and like I said I have much experience in the chair! First he was trying to fit a band around the tooth for the filling in between but it wouldn't fit between, meanwhile my gums are hurting so bad as he's trying to force it. He worked at it for what seemed like 10 minutes and then changed bands, that seemed to work better but then he attached something metal to it that felt like it was just hanging there and made the band cut deeper into my gums. He finished filling that one and went to the cavity on the outside gumline, he says he is going to put some string in between my gums and my tooth so he can get it sealed right and it might be uncomfortable because the outside gums don't numb??? This was very painful as he shoved it down and kept it there while he did the filling. Is it true that the outside gumline does not get numb? I have never experienced anything like that ever and I've had fillings on the outside gumline before by other dentists. I left feeling a little traumatized. I am supposed to go back in a few weeks to have him fix two other fillings that were done by my last dentist but are not sealed correctly (I can feel the edges with my fingernail,ugh) they are on the other side on my gumline and I'm feeling a little panicky about going? Should I look for another dentist? Any feedback would be so appreciated!
Amber

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm not a dentist, but, from my experience, I think what your dentist told you may only be half true.

I think it is true that the block that they do to numb the tooth does not numb the gums. HOWEVER, they can numb the gym by either using topical or injecting anesthetic into the gum. My current dentist routinely does this (injects into the gums around the tooth) before using the retraction cord during a crown preparation - even on a root canaled tooth that otherwise does not need anesthetic. I've also been offered anesthetic for my gums during root canals in case I found the clamp too uncomfortable.

 

[jahene6s]

Thank you for responding, I appreciate it. I am on the fence, I hate changing dentists but I feel like I haven't had that much pain during a filling before. He is young so I wonder if he's not as experienced? Idk....

 

[FearfulInMA]

I wonder if, before he starts the work next time, you explain to him how painful it was and ask him if there's anything he can do to numb your gums during the fillings. Fillings should not be painful so he should do whatever needs to be done to assure that you do not have pain.

 

[comfortdentist]

A mandibular nerve block doesn't numb the gums on the outside but a doctor may gave an additional injection for that nerve. It's optional. sometimes needed often not.