Very hard to numb, need a filling replaced

[person54321]

Prefacing that yes I have “the redhead gene,” despite not having red hair.

I cannot remember ever having a filling that didn’t hurt a LOT. One time I had EIGHT shots and it still hurt enormously. A lot of being told I’m overreacting or imagining it and “I’ll just go fast and it will be done soon.” I had to have a mole excised on my leg and required 15(!) shots, I’ve had a couple surgeries and they always seem surprised when the first dose doesn’t knock me out.

For awhile it was hard to even go to the dentist, but I have been regularly getting cleanings for years now.

Well one of my old fillings cracked and needs to be replaced. I’m terrified. It’s on a top bicuspid, I’ve heard top teeth are easier to numb? I remember GETTING this one hurt a lot though. I feel stupid even thinking of sedation for a filling replacement, but I’ve been looking into it. At bare minimum I’m taking a low dose benzo and beta blocker, I know that can help. But I’ve definitely been googling cost of IV sedation, and wondered if they can do it same time as a surgery I have coming up (no they can’t). This seems so archaic that I’d literally rather have surgery than a filling because at least they knock me out.

Anyone have tips? Advice?

 

[krlovesherkids777]

person54321, So sorry what you have went through with anesthetic and all the troubles both physically and psychologically. It does so much damage when you are already going through pain the being told you are over reacting or imaging things. Exactly what my childhood dentist did but he didn't give me ANY, so different.. but.. You have very much a physical situation where it truly still hurts and is NOT in your head and it should be helped and acknowledged.

If you feel like sedation will help and can weather the cost of it, and need to get the work done, it is not something that is bad, so many are doing it now adays, There is a huge market and for many people really helps. It really is what works best for you. Can you go into an oral surgeons who does this and get a free consult? I sure hope you find a comfortable solution for you. Personally I would run from any dentist who is treating you like you are imagining it or that it just "isn't that bad"... had too many personal experiences like this and it's just not acceptable.

 

[person54321]

I wanted to come back and update: I told my dentist about my difficulty with numbing and fear (as well as actually having the genetic component) and he immediately grabbed articaine and told me to stop him if I felt nervous at all.

The last time I’d been numbed at the dentist I was still incredibly needle phobic, but I’m long over that part now so that made the whole thing tons easier. He gave me a topical agent first, then wiggled his finger a bit over my gums while he did the injection. I could feel that he was “doing something” but it was not identifiable as a shot and wasn’t painful at all. If I didn’t know what was happening I might say he was holding his thumb on my gum gently. No sting or pinch whatsoever. 10-15 min later he asked me to bite down and if that tooth just “felt weird,” it did. He told me to put my hand up if anything was even a tiny bit uncomfortable and he’d stop. He started drilling and I didn’t even feel heat or vibrations. I kept waiting for it to start getting painful but before I knew it, he was done.

It was even less painful than a cleaning and absolutely no big deal!

 

[krlovesherkids777]

That is awesome! Sounds like you both did a great job, ! So glad it went so well for you!

 

[Vaidile]

He gave me a topical agent first, then wiggled his finger a bit over my gums while he did the injection. I could feel that he was “doing something” but it was not identifiable as a shot and wasn’t painful at all. If I didn’t know what was happening I might say he was holding his thumb on my gum gently. No sting or pinch whatsoever.

My previous dentist used to do that - massage the gums with her finger while giving the injection. It really works! Even without the topical, her shots were painless nearly every time. I haven't had any other dentist do it, though - even my current one, who is otherwise awesome.

Your dentist sounds like a gem. I'd hold onto him if I were you!