C
CarolinaAnne
Junior member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2022
- Messages
- 14
- Location
- North Carolina USA
Hi! I'm new here. I have sleep apnea and my apnea problems have made going to the dentist torture for me. I used to enjoy going to the dentist. I found it pleasant to lie back and let my mind wander. But that was before the sleep apnea started. My throat closes up if they tip me too far back, and the facility I go to is designed to have the patient lie flat on their back. I'm sure it makes it easier for the dentist, but lying on my back makes my throat close up and I suffocate.
For several years I didn't realize that was what was happening, however. I thought I was just suffering anxiety. So I got that figured out, spoke up and explained my problem. And they freaking ignored me! They said they would not tip me too far back, but they did so. They said I could raise my hand if I needed to stop for a moment, and they ignored me waving my hand around frantically. Then acted annoyed with me.
This was with a particular dental assistant. I no longer see her, thank god. My new one is very kind and tries to accommodate me, but the years of suffocation then being ignored on top of that have created a huge anxiety problem. When I went this past Friday I was literally shaking, and the appointment before that I shed tears.
My dentist this time is really nice and trying to help me but he is a resident and his supervising doctor must be a flipping idiot. He referred me to an endodontist to see if my tooth could be saved by a root canal. The endodontist took one really quick look and immediately said there is nothing to be done but extract it. It is a molar and is cracked down past the gum line. A tooth that is cracked past the gum line cannot be saved. It just can't, his experienced supervising doctor should have known that, and he should have told my resident dentist this. Instead I get referred out, spend $120 on a useless consultation that should not have been recommended in the first place.
So now I am trying to get an oral surgeon to extract the tooth for me. The front office is bungling the whole referral process. My dentist got on them though and finally I have been referred to an oral surgeon. I see them tomorrow for a consultation. I'll be paying out of pocket, so at least I have some choice. A friend went to this place a few years ago and had a good experience, so that is encouraging.
I have to get my dental treatment at this teaching facility because they are the only people in town who take Medicaid. I have no choice for my routine care. I have no idea what will happen after the extraction. Implants? A bridge? Just leaving a space? The teaching facility has a sliding scale fee for certain things not covered by Medicaid, so I will probably want them to do whatever comes after the extraction.
Wow it's a huge relief to come here and vent. My friends are sympathetic, but don't really understand the intense anxiety and fear. Nor do they know exactly how awful it is to suffocate. Thank god they don't know, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But it leaves me feeling a bit alone. So I'm glad I found my way here. Thank you for reading through this huge long post. Any encouragement or understanding would be greatly appreciated.
For several years I didn't realize that was what was happening, however. I thought I was just suffering anxiety. So I got that figured out, spoke up and explained my problem. And they freaking ignored me! They said they would not tip me too far back, but they did so. They said I could raise my hand if I needed to stop for a moment, and they ignored me waving my hand around frantically. Then acted annoyed with me.
This was with a particular dental assistant. I no longer see her, thank god. My new one is very kind and tries to accommodate me, but the years of suffocation then being ignored on top of that have created a huge anxiety problem. When I went this past Friday I was literally shaking, and the appointment before that I shed tears.
My dentist this time is really nice and trying to help me but he is a resident and his supervising doctor must be a flipping idiot. He referred me to an endodontist to see if my tooth could be saved by a root canal. The endodontist took one really quick look and immediately said there is nothing to be done but extract it. It is a molar and is cracked down past the gum line. A tooth that is cracked past the gum line cannot be saved. It just can't, his experienced supervising doctor should have known that, and he should have told my resident dentist this. Instead I get referred out, spend $120 on a useless consultation that should not have been recommended in the first place.
So now I am trying to get an oral surgeon to extract the tooth for me. The front office is bungling the whole referral process. My dentist got on them though and finally I have been referred to an oral surgeon. I see them tomorrow for a consultation. I'll be paying out of pocket, so at least I have some choice. A friend went to this place a few years ago and had a good experience, so that is encouraging.
I have to get my dental treatment at this teaching facility because they are the only people in town who take Medicaid. I have no choice for my routine care. I have no idea what will happen after the extraction. Implants? A bridge? Just leaving a space? The teaching facility has a sliding scale fee for certain things not covered by Medicaid, so I will probably want them to do whatever comes after the extraction.
Wow it's a huge relief to come here and vent. My friends are sympathetic, but don't really understand the intense anxiety and fear. Nor do they know exactly how awful it is to suffocate. Thank god they don't know, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But it leaves me feeling a bit alone. So I'm glad I found my way here. Thank you for reading through this huge long post. Any encouragement or understanding would be greatly appreciated.