Long Appointment Next Week

[liz8429]

I'm just going back to the dentist after 10 years away. I've been three times now. To meet the dentist, for an exam, and for a cleaning. It's getting slightly less terrifying but I'm still very, very scared. Next week I have an appointment for fillings. I have 4 cavities that need to be filled . He's doing four at once and he said that it will be a 90 minute appointment. I'm mostly worried about the length of the appointment. It seems like a very long time -- no?
My fears are really around loss of control and not knowing what's going on. I also have a long history of mental health issues and didn't take care of myself for a long time so I know that my teeth are in bad shape so I'm a bit embarrassed about the state of my teeth and have a strong reaction every time I go to the dentist. I'm not so worried about the pain, just worried about the length of the appointment. Does anyone have any tips for getting through this? Or am I crazy for getting 4 cavities filled at once? Thank you!

 

[Lemontree]

Hi I’m in a similar situation with 3 at once similar length appointment. Totally get where you are coming from , whilst not a tip in itself As nerve wracking as it is at least once it’s done it’s out the way without the worry of going back for more it’s all done in one go and it stops the nerves building up multiple times. We’ve got this

 

[liz8429]

I wanted to update here. I went to the dentist last week to get my cavities filled and it was a success. I feel relieved and proud of myself. We ended up filling two cavities to make it a bit of a shorter appointment. I told him how nervous I was and he offered to split up the work so I could make it more manageable. I will have to go back in a month or two to get the next batch. I’m nervous for that appointment, but not terrified. At this point, I’m feeling embarrassed by how often I’m going to the dentist (I have to go again next week for a hygiene appointment!) but I’m not terrified. I actually feel proud of myself for getting things back on track. I never thought I would say this about myself!!

 

[Lemontree]

@liz8429 hi that’s amazing news well done you that’s such a huge achievement. You should be very proud and you’ll feel amazing once it’s all done