C
CourageAndBraveryASAP
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2019
- Messages
- 112
- Location
- NJ/NY/CT
Hi. I am in my mid thirties and have not been to the dentist since I was 7 until just recently. I had a traumatic experience where I was restrained by five adults at the age of 7, without my parents' consent or knowledge, and a painful injection of novocain that I did not need (I was mistaken for another child) while screaming that they had the wrong kid. I never went back to any dentist after that.
I have naturally decent teeth. They have a visible orthodontic blemish but they are white and about 70% straight. I took bad care of them as a kid but good care of them as an adult - brushing, flossing (but I have crowding so this is not super easy), water pik in the last two years, fluoride rinses at home, etc.
Recently I saw a dentist who is known for being gentle and working with phobic patients and who also offers sedation services. Unfortunately my treatment plan requires several visits: a root canal that must be done with an endodontist, a crown placed by the dentist afterward, a full mouth scaling and root planing, three cavities filled, then all four wisdom teeth extracted. Once that all is done, I'd like to explore orthodontia if invisalign is an option. Once ALL of this is said and done, I will be in debt by $30-35k, and that is assuming nothing else is discovered along the way. I am also on the borderline of gingivitis/periodontitis so I will have at least four cleanings/dental visits per year going forward.
My husband and I want to start a family, and that is the impetus for me getting my mouth healthy. I also have always wanted straight teeth. I am determined to be courageous and brave and start this journey. But I am terrified. To the point where I can hardly sleep or think about anything but these multiple procedures.
I have my root canal with the endodontist scheduled. I also have the scaling/planing, cavities filling, and crown placement appointment scheduled (happening in one session ideally, under sedation.) After all of that, I need to have consults for the wisdom teeth extraction. Two of mine (both lower) may require coronectomies.
On top of all of this, my jaw cannot open very wide - the widest I can get it is two fingers worth, but just barely. My jaw has always been like this. If I force it wider, it is extremely painful for months and I am miserable. I have been examined and not found to have TMJ, both dentists feel it is an issue with the joint that recovers in time.
What I am asking for your support on:
1. My very first dental experience ever, since I was 7, will be this root canal. This will be my first time since 7 in the chair. I have no idea what to expect even in terms of the basics - like the tools they will use on me, what will be placed in my mouth, how I should breathe, if I will be able to swallow, what my position in the chair will be, etc. I did tell the endodontist that I'm very afraid and I gave him a literal three-second version of what happened to me as a child. He was sympathetic and kind, and said especially for the shots (remember, this is where most of my fear originated) he'll count to three before he injects, then I should feel a pinch and pressure for two seconds, then it should be ok, and i'll likely need a few of them. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS PROCESS.
Can you give me a basic primer on what to expect - tools they'll put in my mouth, things I would know if I'd had routine cleanings along the way, tips, etc?
2. I had a very open conversation with my doctor (the general physician I've seen for many years - BTW, I have no medical phobias) and told her EVERYTHING. She talked with me for a while and was very empathetic and agreed this is all scary but that I'll feel so amazing when it's all over. She prescribed Valium 10 mg to take one hour prior to the procedures. Since I have never taken anything stronger than 400 mg of ibuprofen, and never experimented with any drugs, she said to test drive half the dose well in advance. I did that last night - took 5 mg of valium. Her hope was that it would alleviate anxiety, make me drowsy, and help me get through the procedure. Her hope was also that it would help my jaw. I took the 5 mg of valium last night - started with 2.5 to make sure nothing bad would happen, then took another 2.5 an hour later - and felt no impact. My husband didn't observe any change either. I felt just as anxious and afraid, and did all the regular stuff I do at that time - bills, dishes, work, etc - and went to bed at my usual time, about seven hours after taking the valium. I did notice that my jaw felt marginally better though.
The dentist also prescribed Xanax .5 mg (which my physician is aware of, don't worry.) I haven't taken that yet. He gave 3 pills. My physician said to try the valium first as she was comfortable prescribing me enough for ALL procedures, whereas I had limited Xanax. So I have not tried the Xanax yet. She is open to prescribing me other drugs, but I don't know enough about this to know what would help me.
Can you advise as to any drugs to take prior to the procedure that will GREATLY alleviate anxiety and stress? My husband will be with me before and after all procedures, and will do all the driving, and stay with me after. My doctor has no concerns about potential abuse of drugs and is supportive. She thinks is the valium didn't help, the xanax won't either.
3. Regarding my jaw: how do I make sure the staff do not over-extend or force my jaw to open wider? The endodontist said they'll see a bite wedge/pillow that will go on on side of my mouth that I will rest my back teeth on. It doesn't seem like drugs will knock me out beforehand, so I should be able to indicate if they do anything painful. But when I'm on IV sedation, I will have less agency and self-advocacy (but also think I can't get through it otherwise.)
Thanks for your support - I really appreciate it.
Signed,
Determined to be brave
I have naturally decent teeth. They have a visible orthodontic blemish but they are white and about 70% straight. I took bad care of them as a kid but good care of them as an adult - brushing, flossing (but I have crowding so this is not super easy), water pik in the last two years, fluoride rinses at home, etc.
Recently I saw a dentist who is known for being gentle and working with phobic patients and who also offers sedation services. Unfortunately my treatment plan requires several visits: a root canal that must be done with an endodontist, a crown placed by the dentist afterward, a full mouth scaling and root planing, three cavities filled, then all four wisdom teeth extracted. Once that all is done, I'd like to explore orthodontia if invisalign is an option. Once ALL of this is said and done, I will be in debt by $30-35k, and that is assuming nothing else is discovered along the way. I am also on the borderline of gingivitis/periodontitis so I will have at least four cleanings/dental visits per year going forward.
My husband and I want to start a family, and that is the impetus for me getting my mouth healthy. I also have always wanted straight teeth. I am determined to be courageous and brave and start this journey. But I am terrified. To the point where I can hardly sleep or think about anything but these multiple procedures.
I have my root canal with the endodontist scheduled. I also have the scaling/planing, cavities filling, and crown placement appointment scheduled (happening in one session ideally, under sedation.) After all of that, I need to have consults for the wisdom teeth extraction. Two of mine (both lower) may require coronectomies.
On top of all of this, my jaw cannot open very wide - the widest I can get it is two fingers worth, but just barely. My jaw has always been like this. If I force it wider, it is extremely painful for months and I am miserable. I have been examined and not found to have TMJ, both dentists feel it is an issue with the joint that recovers in time.
What I am asking for your support on:
1. My very first dental experience ever, since I was 7, will be this root canal. This will be my first time since 7 in the chair. I have no idea what to expect even in terms of the basics - like the tools they will use on me, what will be placed in my mouth, how I should breathe, if I will be able to swallow, what my position in the chair will be, etc. I did tell the endodontist that I'm very afraid and I gave him a literal three-second version of what happened to me as a child. He was sympathetic and kind, and said especially for the shots (remember, this is where most of my fear originated) he'll count to three before he injects, then I should feel a pinch and pressure for two seconds, then it should be ok, and i'll likely need a few of them. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS PROCESS.
Can you give me a basic primer on what to expect - tools they'll put in my mouth, things I would know if I'd had routine cleanings along the way, tips, etc?
2. I had a very open conversation with my doctor (the general physician I've seen for many years - BTW, I have no medical phobias) and told her EVERYTHING. She talked with me for a while and was very empathetic and agreed this is all scary but that I'll feel so amazing when it's all over. She prescribed Valium 10 mg to take one hour prior to the procedures. Since I have never taken anything stronger than 400 mg of ibuprofen, and never experimented with any drugs, she said to test drive half the dose well in advance. I did that last night - took 5 mg of valium. Her hope was that it would alleviate anxiety, make me drowsy, and help me get through the procedure. Her hope was also that it would help my jaw. I took the 5 mg of valium last night - started with 2.5 to make sure nothing bad would happen, then took another 2.5 an hour later - and felt no impact. My husband didn't observe any change either. I felt just as anxious and afraid, and did all the regular stuff I do at that time - bills, dishes, work, etc - and went to bed at my usual time, about seven hours after taking the valium. I did notice that my jaw felt marginally better though.
The dentist also prescribed Xanax .5 mg (which my physician is aware of, don't worry.) I haven't taken that yet. He gave 3 pills. My physician said to try the valium first as she was comfortable prescribing me enough for ALL procedures, whereas I had limited Xanax. So I have not tried the Xanax yet. She is open to prescribing me other drugs, but I don't know enough about this to know what would help me.
Can you advise as to any drugs to take prior to the procedure that will GREATLY alleviate anxiety and stress? My husband will be with me before and after all procedures, and will do all the driving, and stay with me after. My doctor has no concerns about potential abuse of drugs and is supportive. She thinks is the valium didn't help, the xanax won't either.
3. Regarding my jaw: how do I make sure the staff do not over-extend or force my jaw to open wider? The endodontist said they'll see a bite wedge/pillow that will go on on side of my mouth that I will rest my back teeth on. It doesn't seem like drugs will knock me out beforehand, so I should be able to indicate if they do anything painful. But when I'm on IV sedation, I will have less agency and self-advocacy (but also think I can't get through it otherwise.)
Thanks for your support - I really appreciate it.
Signed,
Determined to be brave