Sedation dentistry

[HeatherinNC]

Anyone ever had any experiences with this? I have a HUGE phobia about dentists. Wondering if anyone out there has ever went to a dentist who specialized in "apprehensive" patients, and if it calmed any fears.
Thanks in advance!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

LOL, I just heard a commerical on the radio about that a few mins ago. They said you just take a pill and while you snooze they do the work. Sounds simple enough, I wonder what's the catch?

 

[mommytotwo]

LOL, I just heard a commerical on the radio about that a few mins ago. They said you just take a pill and while you snooze they do the work. Sounds simple enough, I wonder what's the catch?

I can't take pills, but I would need that while they do my teeth.

 

[nativetxn]

I've never been lucky enough to find a dentist who would sedate me. I think that is my own fault. Perhaps I need to find one because I have a terrible fear of dentistry

 

[teacherforhi]

I love, love, love it! I have an extreme phobia of needles and have actually bitten a dentist hard enough that he required stitches! I had to have a tooth pulled in February and was sedated for it. Since I have a phobia of needles, not dentists, I took two Valium first so that the dentist could get the IV in. After that, all I really remember is breathing through a mask. Next thing, I was waking up and my tooth was gone.

Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover the entire cost (it only covers the typical cost of local anesthesia since sedation isn't medically necessary), but it's well worth it.

 

[Miller1412]

My Dentist is my best friend's father, so we chat and it helps with the nervous tension. He is a great dentist, and so gentle.

 

[nrsldy]

One time when my dentist was out of town I looked through the yellow pages. The ad that stuck out stated that they catered to cowards. Well guess what number I called!

 

[Kitty 34]

I've never been lucky enough to find a dentist who would sedate me. I think that is my own fault. Perhaps I need to find one because I have a terrible fear of dentistry

Katholyn, I live close enough to you so when you find the perfect sedation dentist PLEASE let me know!!!

 

[HeatherinNC]

One time when my dentist was out of town I looked through the yellow pages. The ad that stuck out stated that they catered to cowards. Well guess what number I called!

I've looked in the yellow pages as well, and looked online. Just haven't been able to get the nerve up to call. The last dental appt I went to, I was a wreck! The dentist had absolutely no patience with me. She told me in a mocking tone that I was too old to be afraid of the dentist, as if this is a fear only children have. Well, of course, that made everything worse. And I haven't been back since. But I need to go. I just haven't found the courage.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Wow, that is horrible. If a dentist treated me that way, I would have gotten up and walked out. I hadn't been to a dentist in over 10 years, until last month. I am also petrified. I was having some serious issues that scared me so much, I made an appt with my mil peridontist. I was still scared, he knew it but was soooo nice. He did 1/2 my mouth, and I get to go back on Weds for the other half to be done. I am not looking forward to it, but I know it has to be done. Heck, I would rather give birth again, then go to the dentist...but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I've looked in the yellow pages as well, and looked online. Just haven't been able to get the nerve up to call. The last dental appt I went to, I was a wreck! The dentist had absolutely no patience with me. She told me in a mocking tone that I was too old to be afraid of the dentist, as if this is a fear only children have. Well, of course, that made everything worse. And I haven't been back since. But I need to go. I just haven't found the courage.

Heather:

If you were closer to Charlotte, NC, I would have the perfect dentist for you. My dentist is great. I had a HUGE dental phobia, and went to him when I needed a root canal. He knew of my fear, and never once made me feel bad about it. I brought my walkman, my husband, and he gave me Valium. He's really gentle and caring.

I've gotten a lot better with my fear, to the point where I can go for a cleaning, and maybe a basic filling, without too much anxiety. But now I might need a crown. He recently just took all of the additional schooling he needed to do sedation dentistry, so he said I could be sedated if I want. It's just me, but I don't know if I'd want to be sedated...I'm just not sure. But, if nothing else, he will DEFINITELY be prescibing me some Valium...no doubt about that!!

 

[Kermit]

I don't care for having dental procedures (cleanings are fine, but not fillings), but my fear of dentists pales in comparison to my phobia of sedating drugs. I guess I'm just out of luck.

 

[bcvgal]

Heather:

If you were closer to Charlotte, NC, I would have the perfect dentist for you. My dentist is great. I had a HUGE dental phobia, and went to him when I needed a root canal. He knew of my fear, and never once made me feel bad about it. I brought my walkman, my husband, and he gave me Valium. He's really gentle and caring.

I've gotten a lot better with my fear, to the point where I can go for a cleaning, and maybe a basic filling, without too much anxiety. But now I might need a crown. He recently just took all of the additional schooling he needed to do sedation dentistry, so he said I could be sedated if I want. It's just me, but I don't know if I'd want to be sedated...I'm just not sure. But, if nothing else, he will DEFINITELY be prescibing me some Valium...no doubt about that!!

Please give me his name. I'm not liking the my current dentist. Thank you

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Please give me his name. I'm not liking the my current dentist. Thank you

I sent you a PM with his name!

 

[HeatherinNC]

Heather:

If you were closer to Charlotte, NC, I would have the perfect dentist for you. My dentist is great. I had a HUGE dental phobia, and went to him when I needed a root canal. He knew of my fear, and never once made me feel bad about it. I brought my walkman, my husband, and he gave me Valium. He's really gentle and caring.

I do wish I were closer to Charlotte. Sounds like just the type of dentist I am looking for. I guess I'll have to look for someone in Winston-Salem, it's about a 40 minute drive. But thank you so much for posting! It helps knowing that I'm not the only one out there with this horrible fear.

 

[HeatherinNC]

***UPDATE***
Didn't know how to add "update" to the thread title.

Well, I am leaving in about 2 minutes to go to the dentist. I had a consult a couple of weeks ago and although I was really scared, I made it through. They wouldn't give me anything to take for the consulation. Anyway, I have to have a bit of work done, which begins today. They gave me a pill to take last night, it made me sleepy, and then they are going to give me 2 more this morning. The dentist and his staff were really gentle and understanding during the consultation and that treatment eased 80% of my fears. Right now, I am a bit nervous, but not shaking and crying like before my first visit.
So, to those of you who have this fear, if you can get up any courage at all to go the first time, please do. Now that I have gone the first time, I feel like a big burden has lifted from me!

 

[minkydog]

Here's an idea for you: instead of IV sedation, consider having nitrous gas during the procedure. I have intense panic attacks at the dentist(only place it happens.) After trying to fight it for several years, I finally gave up & admitted my fear. For cleanings & Xrays, they just go ahead and give me the gas as soon as i arrive. I snuggle in with a small throw that I bring from home. It calms me right down. And after the procedure, the gas wears off quickly and I can drive home.

Now, if it's really something to be scared of, like a root canal or a crown, I'll take Xanax at night, and again in the a.m. Sometimes they'll give me a third one when i get there, then give me gas. I recently had this done for a root canal and slept through the whole thing. Of course, this requires someone to drive you--I was pretty shot for the rest of the day. But my teeth are just beautiful!

My insurance does not pay for all this extra sedation,but I will gladly cover the cost out of pocket. Just this little bit of "extra" has enabled me to go to the dentist twice a year and keep my mouth in good shape.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I am so scared of the dentist and I desperately need to have some work done. How much extra was the sedation.
I really only need nitrous and some valium. I need a dentist who will do that even for cleanings/check-ups. I had a root canal that way and it was nothing. Now I need to have a broken tooth removed. I need a cleaning and several fillings or root canals. And I keep putting it off and cancelling appointments. When I call dentists to see if they will use nitrous and valium they all hedge and won't commit to it.

 

[lisajl]

I know where you people are coming from! I was deathly afraid of the dentist when I was younger. My parents did not have insurance, so I did not go much unless it was to pull a tooth.
So, when I went when I was 18, the dentist was rude, just like another poster said. He was not very patient and said mean things to me.

So, fast forward a few years. We lived in Grand Rapids Michigan and found a wonderful dentist.
He took his time talking to me before I made the appt. Then he sedated me a bit, and they cleaned my teeth for the very first time.

The next time I went he asked me if I needed the sedation again and I said no.
He kept checking with me as he did the fillings, but I had no problems.

He was a great dentist!! He put my bridgework in and I still have it....20years later!!!
Geesh...I miss those people!

Good luck everyone! I hope you find a great dentist that will take their time with you. They are out there!

Lisa

 

[lisajl]

***UPDATE***
Didn't know how to add "update" to the thread title.

Well, I am leaving in about 2 minutes to go to the dentist. I had a consult a couple of weeks ago and although I was really scared, I made it through. They wouldn't give me anything to take for the consulation. Anyway, I have to have a bit of work done, which begins today. They gave me a pill to take last night, it made me sleepy, and then they are going to give me 2 more this morning. The dentist and his staff were really gentle and understanding during the consultation and that treatment eased 80% of my fears. Right now, I am a bit nervous, but not shaking and crying like before my first visit.
So, to those of you who have this fear, if you can get up any courage at all to go the first time, please do. Now that I have gone the first time, I feel like a big burden has lifted from me!

Congrats! Let us know how you do!!!