[Silent_tsol]

So I finally got a new dentist. I've never been afraid of the dentist, but the last one told me basically my mouth was rotting and my teeth would fall out 'tomorrow'. I keep my teeth in excellent condition, they're naturally straight, I brush regularly, never had a cavity....until now! So, I'm panicking. Like July 28, is written on my mental calendar as the end of the world day. My dentist gave me two options because I told her about my needle phobia
1) It's a small cavity so she could do it without freezing.
2) Laughing gas then freezing

So I liked option 1, until I was reminded of the drill. A drill is essentially a noisy, electric needle isn't it? I don't know if I'm phobic of it, I don't really see how it's any different from a needle.

So option 2, which my bf had me repeat 12 times because he thought I had it in reverse order. Apparently dentist has balls to plan to do freezing after the laughing gas because she'll have to pry my mouth open. "Um...dude (bf) how would that be different sans laughing gas in my case?" (he's been witness to needle events).

At this point I don't know how she's going to do it with me conscious at all. Like, I kicked the needle out of my dr's hand when I was 5. I'll probably try to bite the needle off. I grind my teeth; my jaw has muscles for this. Is there some sort of form I can sign saying I give her permission to knock me out via a baseball bat? To me that sounds like a much easier option.

My dr just upped my medication and other than this (which isn't a small issue), my anxiety is way down.

[cutebagaddict08]

did your dentist give you an opinion on what she thought was the best option for you?

Are scared of the entire procedure with the needles being involved? or Are you scared at seeing / hearing the drill? If it's the hearing part-maybe the dentist would let you wear headphones so you don't have to hearing the sound the drill makes?

[Silent_tsol]

It was my first appointment with her so she left the two options up to me, not really having my personality to go on. It was booked with the laughing gas option so if I choose it the time will be allotted.

As far as the rest of the procedure goes, I haven't really thought about it. I just get to the needle and panic. Usually my dentist appointments go *xray* *xray* "wonderful, have a nice day". So this is a whole different world. The only picture of a drill I have is the one you'd find in a woodshop. And yes "that" drill being in my mouth doesn't seem like a nice scenario. Thanks for the idea, I'll bring headphones and see what she says, she's very nice and I'm sure if it's doable she'll let it be.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I understand how this is really scary. Whichever choise you go with, try and keep it as far out of your mind as possible until it happens so you aren't constantly worrying about it. I hope everything works out for you!

[Silent_tsol]

Originally Posted by BatsAndButterflies

I understand how this is really scary. Whichever choise you go with, try and keep it as far out of your mind as possible until it happens so you aren't constantly worrying about it. I hope everything works out for you!

Thanks, I'm working on that today, last night I bit off what used to be my thumb nail worrying about it. Today I'm keeping busy. In a way I wish it was sooner and could just be over with. But I really don't. I'm hoping time stops and it can be July 10 forever

[BatsAndButterflies]

I know exactly how you feel. I had to get my vaccines before going to college last summer and I hadn't been touched by a needle since I was 5 and the whole time before it I was dreading it and just wanting to wake up and it be over. But it helped just to pretend that it didn't bother me and completely push it out of my mind until the day of.

[muncie]

oh boy tso, all these decisions over a small cavity. Let me put some perspective on this. I know you're only 22, and at the beginning of adulthood, but take it from an old lady like myself, as your life continues dentistry will be at the very low end of things that scare you. I know these procedures are all new to you and you will in time accept them as no big deal. The big deals like marriage, children, health, financial concerns are the ones that in some cases can drive people over the edge. I advise you to just accept that you're going to go through with it no matter how you feel, you have a long way to go and you certainly want to have a healthy mouth all your life. Now please understand I don't want you to think I'm making light of your fears, at your age I was afraid to drive and you probably think that's crazy. I didn't get my license until age 26. Just want you to look at the big picture and try to put things in perspective. There's a whole lot more than can hurt you out there than a dentist's drill. Good luck at your appt., I believe it will turn out good and you will be relieved.

[with or without you]

I have anxiety around the dentist too, but please don't do option #1. Take the needle...the novocaine is a wonderful invention. I have had a ton of dental work done (I am only 29) and the stuff I've had done would make your hair curl...LOL. In the midst of this work, I had a "small cavity" taken care of, like you, and the dentist tried to do it without freezing. I thought it wouldn't be a problem either, but it was a no-go, it hurt as soon as he started drilling and I made him stop. It hurts so much worse without it. Yes, it stings and sometimes I can feel my eyes start to water from it, but it will go away. I close my eyes and grip the armrests.

[with or without you]

P.S. be glad this is just a small cavity...when I had my top wisdom teeth removed, I didn't want to be knocked out, so the oral surgeon gave me multiple stabs in the roof of my mouth...very painful! 1000X times worse than what you're having done!

[Silent_tsol]

I'm trying my best not to think about it. Although when it was already on my mind, I googled and found out that the laughing gas is actually and anti-anxiety thing so that helped calm me a little.

muncie-it's not that I'm afraid of a cavity, I totally get what your saying. I have a massive phobia of needles, like I chose not to go to a school where I would stay in residence because I wouldn't get those needles, I would like to have children but I'm horrified at the thought of those blood tests (and by the way, an epidural is so far from being an option). The last time I got a needle, I guess would be when I got my wisdom teeth out (I'm only assuming there needles for that). From the time I stepped out of the car, until the time I was at home, I have 0 memory of it because I was in such a panic attack. Irrational? 100%. Honest answer, needles terrify me more than marriage, kids or finances.

with or without you- that's kind of what I was thinking, I'd rather just spend the extra $ for the laughing gas and be less worried.

Now, back to not thinking about it. Thanks for the inputs

[muncie]

Originally Posted by tsol25

From the time I stepped out of the car, until the time I was at home, I have 0 memory of it because I was in such a panic attack. Irrational? 100%. Honest answer, needles terrify me more than marriage, kids or finance

tsol25, I owe you an apology. I should know because I suffer from irrational fears myself. It doesn't matter if they make sense to someone else or not, if you own it you can't rationally explain it. But I do know we absolutely have to FACE these fears (whatever they may be), or eventually they eat you alive and make your life miserable. You have to fight the fear. I hope your experience at the dentist goes much better than you expect, and thanks for your insight; I'm still learning too.

[SoupDragon]

When I was a kid, my dentist used to do fillings (cavities) all the time without injections. It is only where the root is involved that the drill hurts - if your dentist is saying it is only a small one then maybe it wouldn't hurt without an injection. However saying that when my dentist gives me an injection I don't ever see the needle, just feel the stinging for a few seconds when the anaesthetic first goes in. For me the worst bit is the noise of the drill so close to my brain - hate dentists with a vengence BTW. Good luck.

[Silent_tsol]

Originally Posted by muncie

tsol25, I owe you an apology.

No harm done, but thank you