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I need to get an extraction soon

  • Thread starter Thread starter Routine
  • Start date Start date
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Routine

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Dec 16, 2009
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Ok, so, thing is, I'm at a point where I'm fine with most dental procedures. My dentist prescribes me benzos, I pop a pill and I'm good to go.

But there's one thing I'm terrified of - extractions. I had two so far, and the second one I'd classify as some of the worst pain in my life. The first one hurt too, but not quite as much.

Before you ask, they did give me local anesthetic, but it just... didn't seem to work too well. It actually took a few visits before they removed that tooth, because I just would not. Get. Numb. So eventually they went ahead with it anyway (I mean, I said I felt numb, and I was telling the truth, but I when it came down to it, I could still feel everything and it hurt like hell.)

Now, I have a tooth to remove - well, it's basically just the root by this point as the rest of the tooth has deteriorated and fallen out (they didn't bother fixing it, since the tooth is useless anyway - it grew behind all the other teeth). I've been avoiding it for so long, but it hurts and it really, really needs to go. Except, I'm so scared just the thought makes me start sobbing. I doubt the benzos will be enough to make my anything resembling "calm" during the procedure. I don't know if the anesthetic will work this time. How the hell do you get just the root out anyway? lol.

I can't do this. But I have to do this. Good God, what do I do? I've read about IV sedation, but I don't think this is an option here (I've looked around and it doesn't seem like any practice offers this.) I'm too scared of general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is an option, but... I had nitrous done once and I don't recall it having too much of an effect. It was years ago, though, so I might be misremembering.

God, I just don't know what to do. I'm so scared. I can handle anything else fine, but an extraction is like my worst nightmare. My parents keep telling me that when they give you the anesthetic extractions don't hurt and that isn't helping. What did I do to deserve the anesthetic not working on me? Why me? Why can't it just work?
 
See if you can tell the dentist "LOOK the normal anesthetics WILL NOT work on me. What are my options?" My dentist doesn't appear to have any other options either, although I didn't ask. You aren't the only terrified patient they've ever had... see if they have some options
 
I had gas twice. The first time I couldn't tell, but I was also calm. The second time I was slightly hyperventilating. They must have turned it up because it worked pretty darn well. I was surprised. So keep asking for it to be turned up.
 
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