[Koko2]

I have one problem spot in my mouth that makes for painful dental cleanings. I had dental surgery at a very distant clinic last year and didn't feel a thing. But the dental cleaning at the local clinic was very painful even after four shots and my mouth was numbed to immobililty for several hours afterwards. The hygienist treated me like I was a whiney baby. The main local anasthetic-oriented clinic hung up on me when I voiced my concerns while calling to arrange an initial appointment. I had three sets of panoramic x-rays last year so I don't want another panoramic. Where can I find a local dentist that will forgo panoramic x-rays and properly administer anesthetic? Why do dentists not share x-rays with one another and why do cleanings have to be so painful? My root-canaled tooth doesn't have a cap and plaque is slowly building on it. It has surface sensitivity even though the root canal was supposed to remove pain. I don't have dental insurance.

[lynn P.]

I'm sorry you were in such pain. Have they told you why it's painful even though you had a revious root canal. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with that tooth. In previous cleanings before this root canal did you need anesthetic? Usually most don't peopel don't need freezing for cleanings. Did the hygenist use the electric tool on that tooth? I have sensitivity on the front bottom teeth and tell the hygenist to use the manual method and not the electric one that shoots water.

You should be entitled to take the Xrays to another place. Don't let this discourage you from getting future help and sorry you had this bad painul experience.

[Koko2]

Is that numbing agent what you call "freezing"? It didn't do diddly for my pain, and the hygienist treated me like a wimp. The surgery, which involved drilling into the tooth, was totally pain-free so I'd like similar anesthetic for my cleanings. It wasn't a routine root canal, but the tooth is fine on a daily basis. I just need special care for cleanings. Are there no dentists that will administer special pain care for cleanings? The main clinic here hung up on me when I inquired.

[Leed]

Hi koko ~ I'm the same way. I have VERY sensitive teeth, and quite often, they have to give me shots even for cleaning. My teeth are in good shape, as I just had alot of work done on them to get them in good shape -- but cleaning CAN be painful. So my dentist has NO qualms about giving me a shot or two to numb me. He's a great guy, and it's too bad there aren't more like him.

I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences when looking for good dental care. I wish you the best of luck. God bless. Hugs, Lee

[roses4me]

Originally Posted by Koko2

I have one problem spot in my mouth that makes for painful dental cleanings. I had dental surgery at a very distant clinic last year and didn't feel a thing. But the dental cleaning at the local clinic was very painful even after four shots and my mouth was numbed to immobililty for several hours afterwards. The hygienist treated me like I was a whiney baby. The main local anasthetic-oriented clinic hung up on me when I voiced my concerns while calling to arrange an initial appointment. I had three sets of panoramic x-rays last year so I don't want another panoramic. Where can I find a local dentist that will forgo panoramic x-rays and properly administer anesthetic? Why do dentists not share x-rays with one another and why do cleanings have to be so painful? My root-canaled tooth doesn't have a cap and plaque is slowly building on it. It has surface sensitivity even though the root canal was supposed to remove pain. I don't have dental insurance.

Sorry you are having dental problems. It is not fun as we cannot ignore our teeth. I haven't been able to tolerate a hand in my mouth since rape memories resurfaced several years ago. I have to be under general anesthetic to have my teeth worked on.

I have however, learned a few things about dentists and dental protocole.
1) The dentists do not share x-rays, but they will give them to you. Then you can take the x-rays to another dentist.
2) After root canal, I still had pain with the affected tooth. The surgeon 'painted' my tooth to decrease the sentivity of that particular tooth. He sent me home and told me that it would probably take 3 'paintings' to decrease the sensitivity. It made such a difference that I didn't go back.
3) I suggest you talk to everyone you know about his or dentist. Try to find a dentist who works with stressed patients, My dentist is a so gentle, I told him, he should teach. He told me he would have no patience for the students but he had no trouble with anxiety from his patients. He is really a dental saint.
4) There is also a dentist in my city who works with hypnosis. I haven't tried it but haven't ruled it out for the future.

roses

[Koko2]

I guess the numbing agent doesn't work at all for me since four shots of it didn't help. Do any dentists use the same anesthetic for cleaning as for surgery? Can hygienists administer that stuff? I was in cloud 9 for the surgery, although fully awake, and they were drilling into the tooth.

[roses4me]

Originally Posted by Koko2

I guess the numbing agent doesn't work at all for me since four shots of it didn't help. Do any dentists use the same anesthetic for cleaning as for surgery? Can hygienists administer that stuff? I was in cloud 9 for the surgery, although fully awake, and they were drilling into the tooth.

honestly, why don't you contact the dentist who did your surgery when you were on cloud 9 and ask him what he used. Preferably with a copy of the report. Then phone around and see if there is a dentist who will or can use the same freezing agents.

I have all my dental work done in the hospital because I need an IV line in the probable case of a panic attack. the panic provokes allergies... hives and anaphalactic shock.

The anestesiologist calls the freezing, a 'recipe'. There was some tweaking the first time. The second time the recipe was good. Now they just check the records for the 'recipe'. And I always take benedryl. The side effect is that it makes me sleepy and less able to concentrate which is good because I can't concentrate on what is happening in my mouth either.

It seems to me that you had something that worked. Why not just continue with it?

roses

[Koko2]

I wasn't numb at all after the cloud 9 dentist. This "freezing" term is confusing to me. Isn't that strictly for cleanings, or they "freeze" for surgery too? I'm not sure he would share the information since I missed my last call back for x-rays.

I've had too many x-rays the past year between the general dentist and two specialists, none of them sharing between. Why do they not care about radiation exposure? One of the specialists wasn't going to use an apron for the panoramic until I asked why they didn't use records from my general dentist.

[Perna]

Koko, to me it doesn't sound like your root canal was done completely/right. I would find a dentist you like and concentrate on that one tooth. When they want to do panoramic xrays or whatever, just tell them "no" you would like them to concentrate on that tooth and why it is a problem. Something doesn't jive; you should have a cap of some sort on the root canal, it's like saying you had a tooth with decay and they got the decay out but didn't fill in the hole where it was.

[roses4me]

I wasn't numb at all after the cloud 9 dentist. This "freezing" term is confusing to me. Isn't that strictly for cleanings, or they "freeze" for surgery too? I'm not sure he would share the information since I missed my last call back for x-rays.

Legally, he has to give you your record and x-ray. It is my belief that it is in your best medical interest to have both. The record... to find out what kind of anestetic was used and x-ray so you don't get another one needlessly (radiation etc). I don't think you should worry about his feelings. You do not have a personal relationship with him. He is a professional. And it is his professional job to provide you with your records. A professional is not there to have feelings. He is there to provide medical or dental care. And you health is more important than a professional's personal feelings.

Freezing? O.K. Local anestetic ( a needle in some part of the body) or general anestetic (puts you to sleep) but there are several kinds of anestetic... there is another kind they use in the hospital that puts you in lala land but you remain aware. That is why the surgeon says it is a 'recipe'

re: root canal: not sure if you have had it or not (I am confused with the posts). I had a root canal done recently with a new technique where a 'sealant' was applied instead of a cap. the advantage was that all the work could be done in one session. I think the regular method with a cap requires a second visit to put the cap on. If you had root canal done without a sealant or a cap, you really need to get the work finished.

roses

[roses4me]

Originally Posted by Koko2

Is that numbing agent what you call "freezing"? It didn't do diddly for my pain, and the hygienist treated me like a wimp. The surgery, which involved drilling into the tooth, was totally pain-free so I'd like similar anesthetic for my cleanings. It wasn't a routine root canal, but the tooth is fine on a daily basis. I just need special care for cleanings. Are there no dentists that will administer special pain care for cleanings? The main clinic here hung up on me when I inquired.

I am sorry they hung up on you. Have you considered that it was a problem with the phone?

In any case, it a receptionist who hung up, not a dentist or hygienist . Maybe she was having a bad day....ex. pms or a problem with an ex or was late for work because of traffic etc etc etc

Dentists are not stupid. They have lots of patients and should realize that some require different care.

I would call them back, or drop in. (maybe even with your file and x-rays)

I really hope you are able to get the necessary dental care.

roses

[Koko2]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

I'm sorry you were in such pain. Have they told you why it's painful even though you had a revious root canal. I'm wondering if there's something wrong with that tooth. In previous cleanings before this root canal did you need anesthetic? Usually most don't peopel don't need freezing for cleanings. Did the hygenist use the electric tool on that tooth? I have sensitivity on the front bottom teeth and tell the hygenist to use the manual method and not the electric one that shoots water.

You should be entitled to take the Xrays to another place. Don't let this discourage you from getting future help and sorry you had this bad painul experience.

Originally Posted by roses4me

I am sorry they hung up on you. Have you considered that it was a problem with the phone?

In any case, it a receptionist who hung up, not a dentist or hygienist . Maybe she was having a bad day....ex. pms or a problem with an ex or was late for work because of traffic etc etc etc

Dentists are not stupid. They have lots of patients and should realize that some require different care.

I would call them back, or drop in. (maybe even with your file and x-rays)

I really hope you are able to get the necessary dental care.

roses

She hung up on me the first time, then I called back and she briefly explained their anesthetic, then hung up on me when I said I didn't have insurance and asked what the basic rates were. There's another place I may possibly go that has reduced rates for low income, but I think I'll just go to my current dentist to save myself from new patient x-rays, and hopefully they'll do something for the cleanings pain. I guess I should call cloud 9 and find out what they used, but they'll try to schedule another follow-up x-ray.

[roses4me]

re: reduced rates

At the university in my city, they train dentists.... you can get all proceedures done there for the cost of the material... I don't go because the students take longer

At the college, there is a program for hygienists... 10$ per cleaning... again I don't go because the students take longer to do it

My anxiety gets worse with time.. so I need to get it done and finished fast

but it might be an option for you

roses

[roses4me]

they'll try to schedule another follow-up x-ray.

if someone tried to sell you a car and you didn't want it, would you buy it?
if someone wanted to clean your carpets and you didn't want them to, would you say yes
if you went into a clothing store and were being pressured into buying a shirt that you didn't like or want , would you buy it

I firmly believe that we are consumers and we can choose our doctor, therapists or dentists
and we can change doctors, therapists or dentists too

I think we often know what is good or right for us more than the specialists do...

it is not as if you are neglecting your health care, you are just trying to get health care to suit your needs

be strong
insist
you are worth it
and your teeth will thank you

roses

[roses4me]

Originally Posted by Koko2

She hung up on me the first time, then I called back and she briefly explained their anesthetic, then hung up on me when I said I didn't have insurance and asked what the basic rates were.

She sounds like a real *****. Sorry you have to deal with her. I don't talk to the receptionist about my care, I talk to the dentist or hygienist. It isn't her who chooses the anestetic. (And there are different kinds of anestetic too.) I understand that she may be in charge of billing but she is not in charge of giving you a hard time.

sorry for your stress in getting appropriate care

roses

[roses4me]

Did the hygenist use the electric tool on that tooth? I have sensitivity on the front bottom teeth and tell the hygenist to use the manual method and not the electric one that shoots water.

Just thought I would add that I cannot tolerate the machine that blasts water either. I just asked for a glass of water and the hygienist just got it... no questions asked. So she cleans and when I need to, I rinse.... another thing to thing about.

roses

[Koko2]

I'll keep these things in mind. Thanks for the suggestions, roses.

[online user]

I also cannot handle the electronic teeth cleaning. My whole mouth is manually done. They all should be able to do that. And some hygenists are more gentle than others. Ask your dentist for the gentlest one. Good luck to you!

[Beholden]

When I worked for a dentist, hygenists could not do the 'numbing'. that is the doctor/dentists job.

There is a new term/education level as of about 6 or 7 years ago (problablely longer) sort of like a PA (physians assistant) only it is a Dental Assistant. This person is under the dentist, and the dentist has to check their work. But this person can administer the injectable anisthetc and do the drilling and filling etc, just can't work without the dentist's supervision. Then there is the chairside assistant, who is much less educated than the dentist, dental assistant or hyigenist.

At the bottom of the list is the receiptionist. I was a dental receptionist. Receptionists are often trained to keep their dentists on schedule and field all their calls. The receptionist you got hung up on was not at all professional. Sorry this had to happen to you.

When I worked for the dentist i was told by the other staff members which patients might have 'issues' when they would be looking over the schedules and that so and so would need more time due to what ever. We had one elderly lady who had been a Catholic nun and was raped. She always needed a gentle approach, and 'laughing gas'. We had several sensitive patients. Each person was treated as an a unique person. I hope you can find a much more profession dentist in your area.

I think my insurance will only pay for pano x-rays once every 5 years. I can't imagine that a dentist would want to take panos all the time like you have been asked to. Why would they want to add to your bill when they know you don't have insurance and need a 'sliding scale' or lower rate? You are right in thinking you don't need all that radiation! Stick to your guns on that one.

Your x-rays can be sent from one dentist to another, per your request in writing. Your new dentist can do that for you. Just make sure you plan plenty of time before you schedule your new dental appt for the old dentist to provide your records, x-rays, what have you.

Some times there are anisthectics (spelling) numbing medications that don't work for some people. make the new dentist well aware of that. That is why you want to get your previous records from any or all your dental history to the new dentist.

You may have a problem with gum resession, and not a tooth problem at all. Gum resession causes a lot of sensitive especially when you have a cleaning. There are some ways to treat that. any time the root of a tooth is slightly unprotected or exposed, like in gum resession, it can hurt.

Oh, and some receptions are also trained to 'hang up' when a person is thought to be "price shopping", so even though that is an issue for you, wait for them to ask you what your insurance is or if you have it. when they ask, say you have always paid cash in the past and that is what you need to do now.

You go for it and stick up for your rights.

[Koko2]

I do have gum recession there especially after the surgery because the assistant held back the gums with a dental utinsel for a few hours. The release of pull from the backside gum tissue has caused the lower teeth to tilt forward a bit more so I can no longer completely shut my mouth without lower teeth putting pressure on my upper teeth so they make my jaws "clinch". They said I should expect pocket to be 7, but I thought just for that one tooth. They didn't say anything about peeling back the entire gumline. Or they did mention it in dentist jargon and I didn't comprehend. The alternative was having the tooth pulled and an expensive dental implant so it was probably for the best all the same.

[Koko2]

After being told by yet another local dentist office that they categorically don't use anesthesia for cleanings, I went for a dental checkup where I've been going, and the dentist took bitewing x-rays and showed me the tooth in question has lost all of its roots. There's just filling there were the roots should be, so it was a total failure although the dentist described it as looking alright for now, and recommended replacing when it eventually breaks off.

Because the dental surgeons, at a very prestigious institution, removed a lot of gum tissue to do surgery on the tooth, the back of that row of teeth feels exposed and my tongue no longer rests against a pillowy cushion of gum tissue, instead touching the roots of the teeth. I would never have agreed to the surgery if I knew they would purposefully remove, or damage, healthy gum tissue along a row of healthy teeth to fix a cavity in one tooth. The pockets won't be measured until the next cleaning so I don't yet know the full extent of the damage. It looks like I'm in for painful cleanings for several decades, since as mentioned, it can just be exposed roots that are causing the pain, and it's been artificially exacerbated. I read a book on dental health many years ago, and it said the gums were more important than the teeth so it seems very odd they would jeopardize my gumline for a tooth, especially since my initial complaint that led to the surgery was too much pain in that area. It did not solve the pain but will likely make it worse, at least during cleanings.

I requested that the general dentist reformulate the anesthetic for the hygienic cleaning, and he said there would be a different hygienist from last year and it would be "numbed". I asked that they not use the mechanical cleaning and do it manually, but he declined that because he said it doesn't get them as clean. It looks like I'm in for another round of pain, and will perhaps until I get an implant there like I originally wanted.

[Koko2]

The hygienist didn't use the mechanical cleaner but it was still very painful because they said they didn't have time to use anesthetic and that healthy people like me normally don't need any. The root canal apparently didn't remove all of the nerve tissue. The tooth is very painful and moves when I press on it with my finger.