Scared About Shots for Numbing

[toothnervous]

I have not been to the dentist in a while and will most likely need a filling for a cavity that I can see. I am EXTREMELY nervous about getting numbing shots.

I had to get some teeth removed in 2006 for my braces and it was traumatic; I got multiple shots all over my mouth, I felt the dentist really pressing into my gums (heard crunching several times), nothing about it was a gentle experience. I remember squirming and just wanting the shots to be over.

So when I had to get my wisdom teeth out 2 years later, I demanded I be put to sleep (and had no pain!).

I keep seeing that numbing creams/methods/tools have changed since '06 but am wondering if anyone has had a numbing shot recently and what their experience was like?

I am going to ask for laughing gas, not sure if that will help at all.

 

[Gordon]

I am going to ask for laughing gas, not sure if that will help at all.

Yes it will help a lot.
They give it to women during labour as a pain killer, so it is reasonably good at helping to manage painful things

 

[AnxiousWretch]

I keep seeing that numbing creams/methods/tools have changed since '06 but am wondering if anyone has had a numbing shot recently and what their experience was like?

I had to get a series of them for a deep cleaning last year. Same as you, I was terrified about the shots more than the actual procedure itself.

Not something I'd like to do again, but honestly, it was unremarkable. Modern technique and topical anaesthetic really do wonders, and I think I only felt a slight pinch from maybe one of the shots? The actual injection can take a while, and if the local dribbles a little bit into your mouth, the taste is wretched, but otherwise you can close your eyes and effectively ignore like 90% of the experience.