E
evedragonfly71
Junior member
- Joined
- May 1, 2021
- Messages
- 4
- Location
- Durham, NC
I’ve been attempting to get myself back to the dentist after at least 11 years of being traumatized by a deep scaling and panic attack at a simple checkup.
I’ve been following this forum and at 49 years old, I decided it was time to finally get back to a dentist so I could hopefully keep my teeth for the rest of my life.
I knew that I had a lot of buildup as I could see and feel it on my front teeth. I convinced myself that I would be shamed at the dentist, that they would have to pull those teeth or they’d fall out, you name it.
I found an extremely compassionate dentist with experience in dental phobia.
She did X-rays and an exam while explaining everything.
Diagnosis was gum disease with bone loss and she said I must have a scaling and root planing to stop and reverse what I could. Some pockets were up to 10mm.
Unfortunately my insurance wouldn’t cover this for a year so I had to wait. And the anxiety started to build.
A dental hygienist student posted in our local next door about a month ago looking for a patient to do this exact procedure. For $20. I was terrified of going but I went for the consultation.
It would be at least 3 3 hour appointments.
I made a decision that day that I was going to do this. No matter what.
It ended up being 4 3 hour appointments, multiple novocaine shots (I needed extra) a TON of mindfulness and pushing myself to keep going back.
But she was wonderful. The teachers were amazing. It turns out that they love a tough patient with lots of calculus! Haha!
I had the last quadrant completed today, sealents applied as her practice patient, and I can already feel my gums healing.
I cannot stop staring at my teeth!! They feel so clean!!!
I got a water pick to use after each meal. This was a HUGE wake up call To make my dental hygiene a priority.
But also the anxiety was mostly made up in my own mind.
Yes, it was tough and I never want to have to do this again. But I am so grateful for both the success stories I’ve read here and the dental school for taking care of me !
I’ve been following this forum and at 49 years old, I decided it was time to finally get back to a dentist so I could hopefully keep my teeth for the rest of my life.
I knew that I had a lot of buildup as I could see and feel it on my front teeth. I convinced myself that I would be shamed at the dentist, that they would have to pull those teeth or they’d fall out, you name it.
I found an extremely compassionate dentist with experience in dental phobia.
She did X-rays and an exam while explaining everything.
Diagnosis was gum disease with bone loss and she said I must have a scaling and root planing to stop and reverse what I could. Some pockets were up to 10mm.
Unfortunately my insurance wouldn’t cover this for a year so I had to wait. And the anxiety started to build.
A dental hygienist student posted in our local next door about a month ago looking for a patient to do this exact procedure. For $20. I was terrified of going but I went for the consultation.
It would be at least 3 3 hour appointments.
I made a decision that day that I was going to do this. No matter what.
It ended up being 4 3 hour appointments, multiple novocaine shots (I needed extra) a TON of mindfulness and pushing myself to keep going back.
But she was wonderful. The teachers were amazing. It turns out that they love a tough patient with lots of calculus! Haha!
I had the last quadrant completed today, sealents applied as her practice patient, and I can already feel my gums healing.
I cannot stop staring at my teeth!! They feel so clean!!!
I got a water pick to use after each meal. This was a HUGE wake up call To make my dental hygiene a priority.
But also the anxiety was mostly made up in my own mind.
Yes, it was tough and I never want to have to do this again. But I am so grateful for both the success stories I’ve read here and the dental school for taking care of me !
