Worried about dentist

wannabe_sybil

As a background, I first went to a dentist when I was 17 and the experience mean that I did not go near one again for years. I am now in my forties. I am extremely ignorant about the whole thing. A former dental practice insisted that I always be sedated, but I had to go from there when they no longer did sedation.

I had a crown on a front tooth and it snapped so I went to the dentist. The dentist only ever says hello, does an xray and exam in silence and then the dental nurse tells you what needs doing.

This time they said that they needed to either replace the crown or a denture and to fill a back tooth. Previously a filling had fallen out of a lower tooth and I had been to scared to mention it. They have not mentioned it at all. I agreed to a crown.

I was sedated last week, and they did things (?) and where my broken front tooth was there is now a spike, which I have no idea how to care for. I have just jogged along, although it makes me self conscious and makes eating a bit awkward.

They gave me another appointment while I was still affected by the sedation. I thought that the dentist would not be sedating me for this, but after ringing to confirm what would happen I am indeed booked for a sedation.

I have to go, I can't go round with a spike in my mouth, and I expect that I will actually be better for the sedation, but it is a lot of money, which I didn't think I would have to find, and I am not exactly sure what is going on. The trouble is, I have no-one to fetch me back from the dentist. My father took me last time, but he is back home, a hundred miles away, no car etc and unable to help due to his commitments. I am wracking my brains what to do.

I am sure I will be able to work out something, but is this normal for a dentist, that the dentist doesn't speak to you and the dental nurse doesn't tell you what is going to happen? And does anyone have any suggestions so that I don't need to be sedated any more? Also, this spike, is it normal? I haven't seen anything like it in anyone else.

I am grateful for any help, I am just lost.

brook2jack

The biggest factor in conquering your fears is finding a dentist who communicates well with you and then you can build a good relationship with them.

See toothsmiths signature about finding a dentist and ask friends/family about dentists who are good with people.

Sometimes even explaining to a receptionist that you are a nervous patient will help them to point you to a dentist who is good with nervous patients.

Get this work finished(don't worry about the "spike its probably where the dentist has prepared the tooth for the crown.) and then find a dentist who does talk. Go for regular check ups and you may find that you do not need sedating the next time you need treatment or just need a little oral sedation (tablet) to help.Don't wait until you need treatment before finding a sympathetic dentist.(dental fear central is a website that has some recommendations for dentists and helpful hints).

Lastly why dont you phone the practice to see if sedation is necessary for your next appointment.Unfortunately when you are sedated you forget any information given to you so it's important the person accompanying you listens to instructions ,information given as you won't remember it. If you need sedation under no circumstances go alone, you must take someone with you for safetys sake as you mustn't drive.

wannabe_sybil

brook2jack wrote: »

The biggest factor in conquering your fears is finding a dentist who communicates well with you and then you can build a good relationship with them.

See toothsmiths signature about finding a dentist and ask friends/family about dentists who are good with people.

Sometimes even explaining to a receptionist that you are a nervous patient will help them to point you to a dentist who is good with nervous patients.

Get this work finished(don't worry about the "spike its probably where the dentist has prepared the tooth for the crown.) and then find a dentist who does talk. Go for regular check ups and you may find that you do not need sedating the next time you need treatment or just need a little oral sedation (tablet) to help.Don't wait until you need treatment before finding a sympathetic dentist.(dental fear central is a website that has some recommendations for dentists and helpful hints).

Lastly why dont you phone the practice to see if sedation is necessary for your next appointment. If it is under no circumstances go alone, you must take someone with you for safetys sake as you mustn't drive.

Thank you so much for your reply.

The clinic I go to is advertised as a place that deals with dental phobia. And it was only when I rang up to find out exactly what was going on (today, a week after the initial sedation) that I found I was being sedated again, which at least helps me try and work out how on earth I am going to find someone to go with me.

:o:o I get a bit hysterical, I think that is why initially the dentist preferred me to be sedated. I am very intimidated by the whole thing, and not knowing what is going on, the missing filling, the spike... It isn't helping. Sigh.

I'll have a look at the dental fear central and see what I can find as soon as this is dealt with. I really appreciate the link. It would also be nice if I could find somewhere a bit nearer - it is an hour on the bus and an expensive taxi back.

Thank you so much for the reply, I do feel a bit better reading it.

brook2jack

her's the link http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/.

The other thing to think about is dentists can prescribe sedatives to take before treatment which can make the initial jitters much easier to cope with. But the biggest thing is making a dental appointment a thing of routine not something you only make shen something goes wrong.

good luck.

wannabe_sybil

Thank you - I looked up the dental fear central and I have found another practice, and I will look to switching to there. I really am grateful for that link.

It is not just the sedation, it's not knowing what is happening, why or how much it will cost.

I'll try and get more into a routine, and also I will see if the new practice can help

Thank you so much for your help.

hethmar

Sybil, I cant understand why the dentist didnt put a temporary crown on the spike. Ive had a lot of crowns and Ive always had a temp on it until I go back for the proper one. Honestly fitting a crown isnt painful. Basically they try it out and then he may make a few adjustments before he sticks it permanently over the spike thing.

is there any way you could do that without sedation as really the sedation is a lot worse than the actual work to be done?

My dentist tells me every inch of the way what he is doing, how it will effect me and always says to hold up a hand if I want a break. Meanwhile his nurse will sit alongside me and if she senses Im getting uptight (I had 8 crowns done in one session) she will hold my hand or talk to me.

You shouldnt have silence whilst you have the work done, its more worrying not knowing what they are doing. If they tell you as they go along you will know there is nothing to be frightened about.

I do hope your new dentist is more communicative Good luck.

wannabe_sybil

hethmar wrote: »

Sybil, I cant understand why the dentist didnt put a temporary crown on the spike. Ive had a lot of crowns and Ive always had a temp on it until I go back for the proper one. Honestly fitting a crown isnt painful. Basically they try it out and then he may make a few adjustments before he sticks it permanently over the spike thing.

is there any way you could do that without sedation as really the sedation is a lot worse than the actual work to be done?

My dentist tells me every inch of the way what he is doing, how it will effect me and always says to hold up a hand if I want a break. Meanwhile his nurse will sit alongside me and if she senses Im getting uptight (I had 8 crowns done in one session) she will hold my hand or talk to me.

You shouldnt have silence whilst you have the work done, its more worrying not knowing what they are doing. If they tell you as they go along you will know there is nothing to be frightened about.

I do hope your new dentist is more communicative Good luck.

Hethmar - thank you.

This may sound odd. I get very tense at the dentist, but the pain isn't as much an issue. Apparently I have a high pain threshold (what the dr said, I'm not sure I'm wired right lol) but I can't bear the vibration of the drill. That is the thing I find so dreadful. Teeth out - not a problem.

I did wonder about whether there should be a temporary crown, I am sure I had one with another dentist, but I was either sedated or just not told anything.

You are literally examined, ushered to a waiting room and then told what is going to happen, with no explanation and then the nurse is off to the next patient. I think now, this is the signal that I need to look elsewhere.

I'm worried that it is just me being silly and not understanding things, but it sounds like it may be worth me going somewhere else after all. Thank you for putting this into a different perspective.