L
LFDucky007
Junior member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2008
- Messages
- 4
I have had difficulty getting numb for dental work for as long as I can remember. My childhood dentist tried many methods: nitrous oxide, multiple Novocaine shots, sand and water abrasions, and even a stabident intraosseous block (NOT recommended!). Obviously, this led to pain, anxiety, fear, panic attacks and avoiding dentists for years. Because of a toothache, I recently went to a dentist for the first time in 6 years, who referred me to a laser dentist. Today, I agreed to a filling on my smallest cavity today using nitrous, novacaine, and the laser (no drill!). He is very familiar with dental fears and did his best to keep me calm, but I was still extremely panicked (shaking, sweating, crying, etc) and was unable to get numb- using the laser instead of the drill was not as painful as before but I still felt everything he was doing and had to endure that 'nails on chalkboard' feeling in my mouth. He thinks my anxiety is metabolizing the anesthetic too quickly and that I have sensitive gums and other areas that are just not getting numb. I have to go back in 2 days for 2 more (deeper) cavities. This time, he wants to try an additional injection in my hard palate to help numb the whole area. Does any one have any comments or advice on this? have you tried this? It sounds like the injection itself can be quite painful and I am worried it won't actually work. As I am sure many of you know, these visits are exhausting and embarrassing, but I can't seem to stop the panic feelings! He even suggest I have a beer (or 2) before the next visit. Thanks for any responses and I will be happy to share more information the laser versus the drill.