Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedation

[Lesley]

Hi.  

If you are unable to even read about graphic dental things please skip my post it's not that bad really but I don't want to upset anyone on a dental phobia site.

I am 45, female and have not visited a dentist for over seven years.  I think things started with my Scottish school dentist who was not the most gentle of men, and also I had a very painful root canal on a rear molar about ten years ago which no anaethetic would numb completely.  I don't know how I made it through the appointment.  

Then, believe it or not, I also had a dentist drop the drill in my mouth and cut all under my tongue.  I had to have stitches and there was a lot of blood and I felt so out of control.  I also felt the dentist was panicking which made me worse.  I ended up running from the chair with cotton wool still in my cheek and it took much pursuasion to get me back in to finish the treatment with another dentist.  

I have not been able to visit a dentist since.  Even the thought of that metal hook thing they do in the check up is enough to get my stomach churning.

ANYWAY...after two years of problems with a rear wisdom tooth with amalgam filling - staved off with antibiotics and ibuprofen - I can't stand it any more. I have had three weeks of pain, plus a very hot ear and sore jaw I am thinking perhaps I must see a dentist.

Thank goodness I found this site.  I am literally shaking, having just come off the phone from booking an appointment next week and was lucky enough after trawling through the yellow pages to find someone who practices IV sedation.  I have never had it before.

Please could someone tell me the truth - does it really help or will I find myself bolting from the chair like last time?  I can't imagine anything will take this fear away. I am utterly terrified at the thought of going for the check up, I feel sick.

Thank you for listening  

 

[brit]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Hi.  

I am 45, female and have not visited a dentist for over seven years.  I think things started with my Scottish school dentist who was not the most gentle of men, and also I had a very painful root canal on a rear molar about ten years ago which no anaethetic would numb completely.  I don't know how I made it through the appointment.  

Then, believe it or not, I also had a dentist drop the drill in my mouth and cut all under my tongue.  I had to have stitches and there was a lot of blood and I felt so out of control.  I also felt the dentist was panicking which made me worse.  I ended up running from the chair with cotton wool still in my cheek and it took much pursuasion to get me back in to finish the treatment with another dentist.  

Hi Lesley  
With a catalogue of experiences like that...no one and I mean no one would fail to understand your inclination to avoid treatment. That's a rational fear if ever there was one.

Please could someone tell me the truth - does it really help or will I find myself bolting from the chair like last time?  I can't imagine anything will take this fear away. I am utterly terrified at the thought of going for the check up, I feel sick.

However its good news, you have already come up with a perfectly workable solution - I haven't had it myself but have read loads about it on this site over many months and can confirm that yes it is likely to help you a great deal. Other posters can share their positive first hand experiences and there is a whole series of threads....I don't think we have got any negative accounts whatsoever.
Dentists who offer this facility tend to nbe empathetic types as well - hence why they offer it. You should however seek recommendations where possible in the usual way. You would of course have to go for an initial consultation to discuss this method and we suggest that you make the first appt just a chat to make sure you feel comfortable with the particular dentist. Take someone along for moral support and of course you get yourself there by saying...its just a chat...nothing will be done.

Feel free to post and browse as much as like - welcome on board.

 

[harper]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

hi
yes it definetly works!
i had a terrible time as a child and once i left home i didnt go again
eventually i went again and stood in the car park and screamed like a baby.
when it was decided i did need to do something about my teeth we decided on 3 sedation appointments. i was terrified but i can promise it does work. out of them only one i didnt enjoy. the first 2 which included ext scale and polish, crown preps etc i dint feel a thing and dont remember anything. the last app i needed a crown doing on bottom 7 or 8 and it was very awkward to get to. i didnt feel any pain but i remember my dentist saying something which as i wasnt with it i misunderstood and got upset. a yr later although im not perfect i do manage to go without the sedation i couldnt have done it without those first appointments so yes it does work. good luck

 

[archaeodani2]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

no personal experience with IV sedation here, but a big and comfort that I felt exactly as you did (tho not for the extreme reasons you state - the drill and all eeek) I went in and had nitrous given to me. Couldn't have cared less about anything after that stuff started working

You will be ok = if I was ok during and after my procedure, ANYONE will be ok

 

[Lesley]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Thank you all, so much for your replies.  I only came on here after googling 'dental phobia' because  I was shaking so much after making the appointment I realised I was worse than I thought I was.  I am still scared that the IV sedation won't work, but I guess I am being totally paranoid!!



I am not exactly looking forward to the apointment, but you all have helped and I am very grateful.


xxx

 

[Lady_Python]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

I had a similar experience when I was 16 and the dentist dropped the drill too. Luckily, it nicked the inside of my lip and only slightly grazed it. I waited till the dentist was finishing up and as he put his finger in my mouth I bit it (not too hard though), smiled sweetly and said "Oops! Sorry". That was when I lived in Scotland. We wouldn't have had the same dentist by any chance?

I've had IV sedation a couple of times in the past and I assure you it really does work. One minute I was counting from ten backwards (got as far as eight) the next I knew I was waking up, job completely done. For a couple of hours afterwards I really couldn't have cared less about anything. It was like after a night out - minus the hangover

I'm due to have 17 extractions shortly and may well go the same route.

I go to the dentist on Monday (a new one) and so far I'm really calm about it. Don't think I'll feel that way come Sunday night but if I start feeling panicky, I'll just come on here, read everyone's posts and remind myself I'm not the only one with a phobia.

This forum is such a great help and inspiration.

 

[harper]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

hi lesley
your anytime
im sure it will work for you. try to think postive(hard i know) and youll be just fine
dont reccommend biting the dentist though they arte only human after all

 

[Lesley]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Lol!  Do't think I will bite him/her !!  

Lady Python...that dentist was in Aberdeen.  He was a lovely bloke actually, just a bit ham fisted.  They had to call my Mum to pick me up, and when I left, he was sitting at reception with his head in his hands.  I think he felt worse than I did at that point, but I guess the damage could have been much worse.  He just lost it a bit, and had to get a colleauge to put the stitches in.  I always pitied his next patient!!... althought I think he must have taken the rest of the day off.

That sedation sounds exactly what I could cope with.  I just want to be out of it, although  I have no problem with injections, I think it's just the drilling and waiting for something to happen.  I get completely panicky, and honestly feel like I am going to choke or pass out.  The last time I had treatment all those years ago I was as rigid as a board and cried all the way through which was awful for both me and the dentist.

I was sedated for an endoscopy a few years ago (where they put a tube down your throat to check an ulcer) and I don't remember a thing about it.  It sounds similar, although they didn't use diazepam in the hospital, it was something else.  For some reason, I didn't think they would use a very strong IV solution in the dentist, but it sounds very similar.   I thought maybe you would be aware of what was going on, but just less panicky. How do you manage to keep your mouth open if you are out of it though?

Oh thank goodness I may have found a way to be able to cope with treatment and get my smile back again.  

Thanks all, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Lady_Python]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Lesley! No Way!!!! I'm originally from Aberdeen

 

[Lesley]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Wow!  What a coincidence.  Maybe it WAS the same guy...does 'Rubislaw' area ring any bells???

 

[jupiter]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Hi Lesley,

Just to reassure you about IV sedation, it is absolutely amazing. I had'nt been to see a dentist in 40years + but with a lot of help and support from the dental practice I have found I have had I/V four times, the last being for the first part of four implants. Other times I have had a three teeth out, numerous fillings and root canal treatment on my front teeth.

Not only is the I/V painless, you can co-operate but have no memory about what has happened and it has given me the confidence to have work carried out for the first time tomorrow without it when I have the next part of the impants done. I have become so comfortable with going to the dentist that I now feel able to try this. I have no idea what will happen, don't like to ask and can't find out on the web but I feel really positive about it. Also, if I really do panic and he has to stop, I know I can re-schedule forI/V.. Only drawback is that I/V in London is very expensive, over £400 a time but well worth it.

I feel amazed that within six months of starting treatment I can actually type the above and although deep down I am absolutely petrified about tomorrow, I just know I won't back out and will keep my fingers crossed that I can go through with whatever he has to do.

So, just go for the I/V honestly it will change your life.

Jupiter xx

 

[Lady_Python]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Lesley. I've PM'd you.

 

[Lesley]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Jupiter,

Thanks SO much for posting.  You really have given me confidence to go for the IV.  Wow, you really have overcome your fear,  I just know you will be absolutely fine on your non IV appointment.    

You know, I went to the dentist for years and had loads of work, no nerves, and absolutely NO pain, ever.  I quite enjoyed the dentist actually, I had about six crowns in my upper front which looked so much nicer than my natural teeth,  and I loved reading all the Readers' Digests! Lol.

I can honestly say that the accident I had was what caused my phobia.  It also didn't help that I  had a root treatment where the dentist couldn't get me numb, and instead of just re scheduling he just carried on and it was a horrible, horrible experience.   Actually, just thinking back, I think I had two bad root canal treatments, because the tooth the dentist was working on when he dropped the drill also needed further treatment, probably because it was filled in a hurry to get me out of the chair after the stitches.  

Suddenly after years of trouble free, happy dentistry, I was unlucky enough to have a couple of   horrible experiences within a relatively short space of time and I just thought 'Nope.  Never again.'   But of course, I still have fifteen of my own, ancient amalgam filled teeth which will someday need attention...indeed, this one big back wisdom tooth is aching as I type.  

Im 45, and was never really 'taught' about how to look after my teeth.  Both my parents were from the days where they got all their teeth out for their 21st birthday present!  I would say I am not genetically disposed to great teeth...I only have four lower front ones that are still mine and not filled.   For years now,  I have had an electric toothbrush, I floss, I use listerene, I limit my sugar intake..I am like  woman posessed when it comes to my teeth. All just a little too late, but maybe I can limit any further damage.  

My 18 year old son has the most perfect set of gnashers, not a filling in his head.  It's the best bit of advice you can ever give a child!  Look after them....from early days.  Never go to bed too tired,or leave the house without brushing.  I wish someone had told me that and watched over me like a hawk...  

Thanks again Jupiter.

 

 

[brit]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

You know, I went to the dentist for years and had loads of work, no nerves, and absolutely NO pain, ever. I quite enjoyed the dentist actually,
I'm a similar age to you and same here....but moving to a different country and having a painful experience with a hygienist which I failed to stop - gave me flashbacks to an ancient very bad childhood experience and somehow I ended up as a moderator on here even though I have never actually avoided.

From what I've learnt you just have to protect yourself from bad experiences by being very careful where you go and if you were unlucky enough to need a root canal (I've only had one and it was painless) , go to an endodontist and/or a place with extra anaesthesia options such as nitrous or i/v; or as you say...reschedule.

I'm sure i/v sedation will work fine for you for any major work and then given your earlier good experiences you should have no trouble going back to routine stuff without, once you've found a dentist you like and trust.

My 18 year old son has the most perfect set of gnashers, not a filling in his head. It's the best bit of advice you can ever give a child!
Too true but fluoride has also helped immensely. I wonder if younger dentists are becoming de-skilled though..hence the move to so much cosmetic stuff? Also no matter how well you care for your teeth from birth, your wisdom teeth can still be a veritable pain....so for some cavity-free people dental anxiety and phobia starts at this point.
All the best

 

[fizzy]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

ahhh lesley, the biggest of hugs coming your way
now you found us all on here we will be with you all the way.


                      fizzy xx

 

[Lesley]

Re: Hi, new here, just a quick question on sedatio

Guys...this board has been a godsend.  Really.   I feel SO much better having read though the wealth of information on all the boards, the excellent advice from phobics,  AND of course, dentists...  

I'm not looking forward to the appointment, but I am looking forward to finally getting into that chair, conquering my fear and having a healthy mouth again.

Thanks all