Numbing Question

[pjc524]

Hi!

I’m a ridiculously anxious person and my dental fears are many — but I worry a lot about the claustrophobic aspects of dentistry and my nose getting numb. It makes me feel as though I can’t breathe. Not pleasant.

I’m scheduled for a long appointment (90 minutes) this coming week for extraction, bone graft and sinus lift on teeth 2,3 and 4. Terrified is an understatement. That said, I’m very worried that numbing tooth 4 will numb my nose. Or worse yet, I’ll need a maxillary block.

Can you please let me know what to expect and more importantly, how to deal with it? My dentist does not sedate so it will be local with Valium.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gordon]

Given where the work is being done there's a close to zero chance of your nose being affected. HTH.

 

[pjc524]

@GordonThank you very much. It definitely takes one of my (big) worries off the table. Now to get through Wednesday. That Valium better do its job!

 

[Gordon]

Update me when you're done, I'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[pjc524]

@Gordon will do. Thank you!

 

[pjc524]

@Gordon so I had my appointment today. After studying my case further, my dentist took a more conservative approach than was originally planned. He extracted teeth #2 and #4 (3 had been extracted previously) and placed a bone graft. I also received my flipper.

The good news is that it went well, was tolerable and no numb nostril! That said, I do have a headache and discomfort around the graft site (s). Also, I just hate the flipper and not sure I’ll be able to eat with it. Does this get better?

I go back in two weeks to get sutures out. Sadly, they don’t dissolve. And he said he’d adjust the flipper at that time.

I will then be evaluated in three+ months to see if implants are possible. My dentist believes that my jawbone issues are part of my genetic makeup as he sees no other causes. He anticipates the same will happen in the other side. This is going to be a long road.

That said, does this all sound normal to you. I appreciate your insight.

Best,
Pat

 

[Gordon]

Thanks so much for the update and well done for getting through it.

Flippers can take a wee while to get used to, it takes time and practice. There will also be some mild swelling and reshaping of the extraction sites, so the flipper will need to be adjusted as that happens.
I used to compare wearing a denture to wearing contact lenses, at first you think "I'll never manage this" but over time it gets easier.

Honestly I much preferred non-dissolving sutures, they are far more predictable and cause a bit less inflammation than the self dissolving ones, which always seemed to either came out too soon or too late! Removing sutures is dead easy and absolutely doesn't hurt a bit!

 

[pjc524]

@Gordon Thank you for this. Glad to hear that you support the non-dissolving sutures. I slept without the flipper and also made some eggs for breakfast. I think I’ll put it back before going out today. What’s your opinion on wearing vs not wearing? (My gap is barely visible until I smile too widely).

Thanks!@“

 

[Gordon]

Wearing or not wearing is really up to you, they're 99% cosmetic, nobody needs them to eat with. Sleeping with them in is not a great idea, you need to give your mouth a break.

 

[pjc524]

@Gordon got it! That’s what I thought. I definitely don’t sleep with it and eating is 100% easier without it. Thanks again!

 

[pjc524]

@Gordon One other question since my dentist isn’t in the office until Monday…my non-dissolving sutures appear to be coming loose already (on Day3). Not only is it annoying but it’s uncomfortable. My removal appointment is not until July 29th. Should I be concerned?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gordon]

Since there's a bone graft in there, I'd want to double check the sutures are holding OK, give them a ring on Monday.

 

[pjc524]

Will do. Thanks.