First Filling... Severe Phobia. Help?

[Tserazi]

Ever since I was young I've had a severe phobia of the dentist. By severe, I mean, I lose sleep over an impending appointment, and while in the chair, my heart races, my palms get sweaty, I start to hyperventilate and sometimes even lose consciousness before the dentist has done much more than just take a peek inside my mouth. Because of these reasons in addition to a lack of dental insurance, I've not been to the Dentist in say, five years. Not quite as long as some folks have held out, but for the first time in my life, I broke down and made the appointment to see a dentist due to the loss of tooth structure on one of my front teeth that is gradually progressing into a state of further decay and pain. So, here I am, 21 years old, and getting my first of 14 necessary fillings.

The appointment is early Friday morning, and I must say that having never had any kind of dental work done aside from just check-ups and cleanings (during which I freaked out), I'm absolutely terrified.

After having my first check-up with this Dentist, he informed me that he would not work on me without gas. Even for cleanings, it wasn't something he was willing to do because of the amount of apprehension I was showing and the squirming I couldn't stop myself from doing. I felt bad, too. The Dentist is the most gentle I've seen, and very informative, very kind, curteous, great 'chairside' manner... I just have some kind of psychological issue, apparently.

Regardless, this means I will have the filling done with both a local anesthetic and that gas-type stuff. I've read a little bit about both of these, however, I've not yet heard much in the way of how these come into play together.

Has anyone had both the gas and their local anesthetic concurrently?

Does anyone have this phobia to the extent that I do?

Does anyone have any tips on how to assuage my fears and hesitations before going in to the office?

Can anyone give me an estimation of how long it will take for any and all pain to stop from the time I leave the office and my local anesthetic wears off? Are we talking hours, a day, two, a week? Any estimation would be useful.

Any other tips that ya'll can think of that might help me out a lil'? Anything would be helpful.

Thanks! After my procedure, when I'm not, say, drooling on myself, I'll post up a reply to this thread, detailing how things went.

Thanks so much!

 

[freakout]

Re: First Filling... Severe Phobia.  Help?

Hi & Congratulations for taking that big step and seeing the dentist. It sounds like you have found a real good one. I had nitrous and local a while back for 18 extractions The nitrous was great It will make you feel nice and relaxed. You will be aware of what is going on around you, but you will not care.

Everyone here has or has had the same fears in one way or another. I still get nervous everytime I am going to have a procedure done. I am always shaking like a leaf the minute I get there, but my dentist talks me through the procedure and I am fine.

As for the numbing, you are usually numb for a few hours. There should not be too much discomfort when the numbing wears off from the fillings.

Hope this helps

 

[lilone]

Is he going to do them all in one go, or a few at a time? Either way, it sounds like this is a good option! Good Luck!! Be sure to ask him if he hasn't already talked of it (before you take the medication and get drowsie) possible reasons that you have developed 14 cavities since your last appointment 5 years ago. It might be worth looking at possible causes so that if you can change something to make it less likely in the future that you would need work (ie. cut out soda etc.). Congrats and enjoy your new smile!