I'm petrified of fillings..

[Streetglow]

Hi guys new member.. just wanted to vent a little.. im petrified of fillings. I have a LOOOONG history at the dentist for weak enamel. I have had a filling on nearly every tooth then redone for a porcelain filling. But some teeth hurt excessively. I have gone up to 5-6 shots and the drilling feels like aluminum touching a metal filling.. I have told dentists I'd rather have a tooth extraction or my wisdom teeth out or even the time I got a bone graft. It's petrifying.. and I think i have a root canal coming. I always tough it out but a dentist trip shouldnt be like this. I have a big pain tolerance and I truly mean it when I say I'd rather fall off my bmx bike and hit my face on gravel then have one filling. Why can't they put me to sleep?

 

[Sevena]

Gosh, I'm sorry, that sounds like hell.

https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/not-numb/

This page lists some reasons why numbing seems not to work on some people. While it's a rare occurrence, it can happen, so you're not alone. The page has a lot of info, as well as advice.

It has some info about sedation too.

You're right that dentist trips should not be like this. Maybe looking for a more specialised dentist, or trying sedation, could help you, costs allowing.

Hang in there

 

[Maisie]

Is your dentist experienced with nervous patients? I think half of the battle is finding the right dentist. I also would have suggested sedation. I've never had it but i'm pretty sure you don't remember much about it afterwards.

 

[Tink]

As sevena says, it shouldn't be like this - you shouldn't feel anything beyond pressure and vibration during a filling, it sounds very much like the local anaesthetic hasn't worked for you. I've been there, I feel your pain!

i would suggest looking around for a dentist who can do more advanced techniques with the anaesthetic - there's quite a lot they can try, different drugs, different injection techniques and so on. Don't give up hope, it took me years to find a dentist who could get certain teeth of mine numb, but then one day I found the right dentist who knew the right technique and it was such a relief!

If you do end up needing a root canal, see if you can get an endodontist (root canal specialist) to do it rather than a general dentist - given the nature of their job, endos are often very, very good at local anaesthetic.

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Last time I needed a filling my dentist use an interesting technique, called singing. I was not singing at the dentist, was also muttering a few swear words

Tink comment very interesting

Good luck finding a dentist who can help