Trouble Scheduling an Appointment

[olls17]

I just posted in “ask a dentist” because I’ve been freaking out over a couple cavities I need filled and I was worried about the procedure and having a lot of trouble scheduling an appointment, and it was suggested I post here for support on making an appointment. I’ve been putting off the fillings for a year since I was told about them, and I found a cavity on my front tooth near the top a few weeks ago, and I found another this morning, and I don’t know if they’re new or if they’re the cavities they found that have gotten bigger. Actually seeing the cavity on my tooth made me realize that I DO need to get them filled so I’ve been trying to schedule an appointment since I found the first one but I’m struggling because I am so scared. And it’s not like I haven’t had worse done. I’ve had two crowns and a pulpectomy last year but fillings and even cleanings are scaring me just as bad. Every time I even think about making an appointment, I start to panic and cry. I feel like I can’t do it. I cant stop thinking about it. Like I have to step away when I’m with people because I’ll start thinking about it and panic myself. I want these cavities filled so I can stop worrying but it’s so hard. I just need advice and support on scheduling this.

 

[Tigerlily]

I know it's hard but it'll be one step closer to being over and done with and you don't want them to get worse. I'm sure they will be really nice and used to nervous patients ... maybe ring a few to see who seems like a good fit and tell yourself you're not calling to book in, just to find somewhere suitable? When I called mine they were really lovely and spent a long time listening and reassuring me and I just knew they were right for me. I bet they will have you in for a checkup first too and you don't have to book in to get them done, take it as slow as you need to x

 

[MagicDuck12]

My advice (might be a little unconventional but its all that gets me through)

1) Find somewhere thats got everything.....EVERYTHING....to make the experience as nice as it can be. Im talking eye candy nurses. TVs. Nitrous. Distractions everywhere. Anything whatsoever to make the process as nice as it can be (if the cost is ok to you).

2) Book as quickly as possible....to get it over with fast, so it doesnt hang over you for any longer than necessary, and so your health stays as good as possible

3) once its over, reinforce praise on yourself by giving yourself a reward. Something that will make the process worthwhile.

4) Dig deep into the archives and remember you CAN do it. Its very very hard. It wont be nice. Itll be worse than the people who pretend "its not THAT bad" will tell you just for an easy life...but you CAN do it. Try your hardest to convince yourself its a sensible decision for your health, and combined with the other points i mentioned, at least itll be over very fast.

Good luck, im rooting for you

 

[olls17]

@Tigerlily I already know what office I’m going to because the one I’ve been going to has been pretty great (plus changing the office I go to will probably make me more anxious) but I’ll probably call to ask some questions and possibly request a specific hygienist if possible that really helped put me at ease last time I went.

I am hoping that I won’t have to have just a check up before the fillings though because I’d rather just go in and have everything done at once.

 

[olls17]

@MagicDuck12 thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve got 1 and 3 covered, the office I went to before is really good and I have something I’ve already told myself I can buy once I get the cavities filled, plus my friend said she’ll take me and we can do something afterwards that day. I’ve definitely been reading through the forums too, it helps a little bit. 2 will be kinda hard, I’m going to college a little over an hour away in a few days and have no car so I have to rely on someone to take me, my grandma suggested sometime during fall or thanksgiving break so I think I’m going to try and work up the courage to call next week so I can get it scheduled on one of the days I’m home hopefully.