Ok, it's done. He jabbed me two times, and later a third, which did nothing to keep me from feeling pain in my gums. I didn't feel the third shot so much, and no pain when working on teeth, but poking me with that vile pick-thing was nerve-wracking!

Thank you for all who responded. I get all worked up over this business.

I didn't know they had "weak stuff" and strong stuff. I'm a little hesitant to ask for something that might make me feel so numb it causes anxiety (I get panicky if I can't feel my face, or part of it), but that's probably what's happening.

At one point, he had me sit up and rinse, and he was out of the room for a couple of minutes (they took several impressions, so they were back and forth) and my gums were throbbing from all the poking! I thought I was going to have to take some Advil when I got home. However, by the time I left, the pain wasn't so bad, and now it's just a little tender. I also thought I was getting the permanent bridge this day, but no, it's not for another two weeks. I hope that appointment won't take a couple of hours.

I was exhausted when I left, just mentally and emotionally worn out. Physically, too...I don't know if it's anxiety or the stuff they numb me with, but I was trembling so much I kept thinking I was going to ask him if I could sit up, because I know I tremble less when I sit up, before continuing. I didn't end up doing that, but I was shaky as hell.

I would like a new dentist, but we have CareCredit with this office, and I wouldn't mind trying a different dentist in the same office, but I don't want to offend my current dentist. I have this fear that if I had to stay with him that he'd "accidentally" cause me more pain. I know it's silly, but I do. One thing that really helps is they have TV for me to watch, and that can help me focus away from some of the discomfort or the boring-ness while being worked on.

I think my boyfriend is figuring that I'll get the necessary work done at this office, but once I've gotten the important stuff taken care of (infections, root canals, etc.), we might break the connection and find another dentist. I know other dentists can be better than this! My bf is not happy with them, either. I wish I hadn't agreed to be on CareCredit, but they got me (and my bf) in the office and asked me for a decision right then and there. They do that a lot. I would have liked to think about it some more. The woman said it's good, so that now I'll have a credit history. I may not have had a credit history before, and that can keep you from buying a house and other major things, but at least NO credit history is GOOD credit history. I'm not the best with managing money. My bf is handling the payments, though.