Restoration starts in a week.

[nate4g63]

As my title post states I finally summoned the courage, along with my wife helping me, to visit the dentist for the first time in 15 years. A little background, I'm 31 and it's obviously been a while since I've been to the dentist. I had braces in my early teens which required extractions, I hated and feared the entire process which has lead me to the fear and anxiety I have today, not to mention my fear of anyone in a lab coat and needles. Overall I will need 3 fillings, 3 root canals, 3 extractions, 2 are wisdom and one is a bottom molar all broken off to the gums, and finally 2 extractions then implants on my lower front K9's.

My first procedure is a week from today. I chose a dentist that offers several sedation techniques. I will be having 3 fillings and 2 root canals done at this visit. I chose nitrous as the first option for sedation. As the other 2 require a driver, which is not a problem, but IV sedation isn't exactly cheap. I'm just wondering how anyone on here feels and felt about nitrous and how well it worked for them?

Also just wanted to say thanks in advance, it's nice to have a place to be scared at.

 

[GreenTea]

Hey, congratulations on taking that first step! I'm so interested to hear your story as I am going through exactly the same. I finally summoned up the courage to see a dentist a couple of weeks ago (well, truth be told it was terrible toothache that drove me there!). I'd not been for 20 years out of sheer terror. I now find myself with two extractions (done last week under IV sedation) and now have the following to look forward to - two sessions of deep clean, one crown and three fillings. Then moving on to two implants in the new year. All a bit daunting but I feel glad to have made a start.

i don't know about nitrous I'm afraid so can't help there. I went for IV for the extractions and it was a godsend so will be opting for it for my next few sessions. I agree it is costly but in the big scheme of things I've decided it's worth it.

Good of luck with your appointment next week, my next appointment (deep clean) is also next week. We can do this!

 

[nate4g63]

I guess I did forget to add I'm starting the apt with a cleaning as well. That part doesn't really have me too worked up. I do have to wait until next year to finish everything up, as I'll have my insurance maxed out. Definitely looking forward to a healthy mouth, just getting through these next few procedures is gonna be tough! I'll keep this updated!!!

 

[GreenTea]

I think I'm more freaked out about the clean than I was about the extractions! My appointment is Tuesday. I'll post an update too!

 

[GreenTea]

Yay, just had the clean done. It was just fine. Though I guess the sedation went a long way to helping! Now I plan to brush,floss and mouthwash as though my life depends on it!! Next stop next week for my crown...hope yours goes well too

 

[nate4g63]

Glad to hear things went well! Tomorrow is my big day!

 

[GreenTea]

Good luck for tomorrow! I'll be in the chair again next Thursday - this is going to be a long and costly process - but so glad I've made the start!

 

[nate4g63]

Definitely nervous, but at the same time I know it has to be done. Ill update tomorrow afternoon!!

 

[nate4g63]

Well I made it, it wasn't a terrible experience. I ended up getting my lower K9s with RCT's and 2 fillings. We had to stop because we used so much novacane trying to get me numb for one of the fillings. Turns out I have an infection so we are treating that which prevented the numbing to work correctly. I go back in a week and a half for extractions.

Nitrous was interesting. Definitely got the drink feeling but it was quickly gone. I myself would recommend a different sedation technique. Now that I know things can be done without pain it does ease the process slightly.

 

[GreenTea]

Well done! It sounds like you did great. I'm not sure the nitrous would do it for me... I've gone with full blown IV sedation so far but I know I can't rely on that for everything ( it's so damn expensive...). I'm back again next Thursday for the remainder of my clean and to get a crown fitted ( my practice has this machine called CEREC which means they can do a crown in one visit without using a lab). I'm going for full sedation again. The sedation is interesting. It makes you forget the e whole procedure plus memories of the hour or so after are also quite hazy. It's kind of like you've been to a party, got drunk, and can't quite remember what you got up to. All a bit weird but it helps me a lot at this stage in my treatment.

Hope your extractions go ok. Are you having sedation? Report back!

 

[nate4g63]

It would have been nice for sure if my infection would have been caught earlier, that's the only reason I had any pain and that was just with one of the filings. Oddly enough I'd rather have a root canal than a filling anyday, the noise is what gets to me. My dentist was so nice and she definitely knew I was very scared.

I am going with oral sedation. I was told it'll be maybe a 20 minute process. Last time I had any oral sedation was in my early teens getting extractions for braces, it was just Valium which wasn't even close to being enough, a very traumatic experience as I was hit with the novacane and almost instantly they started pulling, needless to say I wasn't ready and neither was the novacane.

After this visit i go back 2 weeks after for like 5 more small fillings, I didn't even opt for nitrous, I really truly trust they'll get me numb and i won't feel a thing. That'll be it for me for the year. My insurance will be maxed out but luckily January isn't far so we will finish up in the new year!