Multi-phobic

[Tyg]

My primary phobia is of needles. I have a secondary anxiety of dentists which is nearly under control (Thank you Dr. Danziger! E.Hampton, CT USA) and a new terror/phobia of gagging.

Dentists were always a problem for me because the first I ever had was a true sadistic butcher who should never have been allowed to treat a child. A long and arduous time with an orthodontist didn't help. As soon as I could I stopped going to the dentist and my dental health disintegrated.

Over the next thirty years I've had more abcesses, root canals, bridges and crowns than I care to think about. The first dentist to give me novacaine deserves a place in heaven...I lost most of the fear of the pain of drilling from my childhood. The next dentist convinced me to try nitrous...I was nearly cured.

Then of course I had to move and start all over again. The first dentist I tried here in CT (a cousin's father in law)...when I called the office to make that appointment I told them that I needed nitrous for cleaning and I only wanted the dentist to work on me (I don't want to have to explain myself to a succession of hygenists -- just ONE person). The receptionist said sure. Then I get there and the hygenists said she'd be doing it. I said no. We disagreed. I reminded them of nitrous and she said no, I didn't need it. I should have walked out, but being 'related' to the guy made me stick it out. I was stressed, upset, anxious. . .

Two or so years later I really needed to see a dentist, and a psychiatrist recommended Dr. Danziger. Nitrous -- no problem. Only him in my mouth -- no problem. It was the start of a relatively wonderful doctor/patient relationship. I still have anxiety issues until the nitrous kicks in, and even then I hyperventilate/cry/have heart pounding when it comes to the novacaine.

Most of my crown/brige work was done at his office, and though I stress and have panicky times getting to the appointment, I haven't had too many problems.

The the gagging started. I have had awful gagging problems for the past four impressions. After the first time I tried sitting up. I took off the nitrous so I could concentrate on breathing but after a brief time the gag reflex and the panic came back. The worst was a full bite impression that wouldn't come loose. (btw, I may sound perfectly calm, but I'm crying as I type this).

Anyway, I had a cleaning done two weeks ago, and he says I need two new crowns and a bite splint. (This while I was still on nitrous...I sort of shrugged and said okay) I made the appointment for the first crown but every day since has had at least one crying jag at the though of the impression (including packing the thread around the tooth). Anyway, today I called and cancelled the appointment.

I couldn't stop crying. The receptionist was calm and sympathetic, but I feel as if I've really gone backward in this whole fear/mistrust thing. She said they'd be getting a new machine that would create the crown without the need for an impression. Has anyone else here heard of this?

Thx,
Tyg

 

[letsconnect]

Hi Tyg ,

the machine in question is a CEREC machine.

There are also some tips for people who are prone to gagging on this page:

How to deal with a sensitive gag reflex

I'm not sure why the impression you had done wouldn't come loose; maybe you want to ask this in the "dentistry questions" section. There might be different materials available for taking impressions and you could discuss this with your dentist?

 

[Parsnip]

The impression materials can set fairly stiff and sometimes need a wee bit of coaxing to get them out. Usually once the air-seal around the impression has been broken (normally lifting the lip will help this) the imp will come out fairly easily. Othertimes if you have lots of spaces between your teeth, or even loose teeth, an impression can be eased by first placing wax in the gaps to stop the impression material getting in between, or, putting vaseline (yes, I know... ) on the other teeth to allow the impression to slip off easily.

Never, ever, have I ever heard of an impression that will not come out of the mouth at all. But now you mention it, maybe I should stop joking my patients about this happening..

 

[Tyg]

It was awful. And it wasn't just a top or bottom...it was something that I bit into for all my teeth. I think it was quick setting, and when I started having swallowing/gagging problems the hygenist couldn't release it. I can't remember how they got it loose. I was...um....a bit ballistic.

When I am in my rational frame of mind, not confronted by an imminent appointment or procedure, I can say things like 'if I didn't panic it would have gone easier', or 'if I kept the nitrous on it wouldn't have freaked me'. But I have a problem with loss of control, so I regulate the nitrous (either by telling them up or down or by mouth breathing). Maybe I'm a candidate for IV sedation.

My worst phobia is still needles, though. I wonder if they can do the nitrous to the point that I'm nearly entirely out of it, then set the IV. I'm just seeing layers of drugs upon drugs upon drugs and it depresses me. All for a stupid impression.

 

[Nirvana]

Hey Tyg

I am a huge needle-phobic so I know where you are coming from. Now I had two injections given to me last week inside my mouth for a cavity which was really deep. Believe me, I didn't feel a thing. And I assure you, I am not exaggerating...I was crying and shivering in the dentist's chair but he first sprayed some numbing gel and then I did not feel a thing.

Now I don't know much about the kind of treatment you are going through but if you are talking about IV etc then I guess you mean the ones in your arm. If I am right, then let me know...I have had plenty of IVs stuck in my arms (and being a huge needle-freak I can understand your fears.) I can let you in some ways to handle with the fear.

Take care and just picture yourself what you would be doing next week this time. I mean think happy thoughts. I am here if you need to talk...otherwise you always have Pars to help you

 

[Parsnip]

Hey Tyg, that sounds like a 'triple-tray' impression where they bung lots of paste around a wee framework and have you bite on it. I've never used one, but I had recently thought about getting some just to try. Don't think I'll bother now

Still there's nothing like a bit of reassurance whilst the impression is being taken. Just to let you know all is well. The gag reflex is completely normal as you know, its just there to protect you. Sometimes slightly inappropriate however, as in this case. One of my nurses does a chin pinch acupressure thing when a patient is gagging, I'll take a photo and post it up. If you could do this on yourself, then all your troubles would be over (if only). There's loads of ideas out there for overcoming gagging problems as referred to by Lets above. If you'd like to discuss any options then pm me or post here, as it might help others with a similar problem.

Pars