Day of the Dentist.....here is how my sedation went....I was sent home with 3 prescriptions. I was to take the first pill the night before my appointment. It was supposed to help me get a good night’s sleep. NOT! I tossed and turned all night. We arrived at the dental office at 8 am sharp. They took me back and put me in.....’The Chair’. It was a very comfortable chair with a big, thick memory foam cushion. The lights were turned down low and soft music played in the background. Sounds nice...right? Next came the remainder of my medication. The technician ground the pills and added some type of a syrup to the mix. This mixture was then placed under my tongue to dissolve. The first sensation I had was one of being cold....my teeth actually started to chatter. The Tech told me that was normal and covered me with a blanket. It seemed to take forever, but I finally drifted off to sleep. Ok, this is all good. I’m thinking, ‘Beam me up Scotty’ and wake me when it is over. HA! Next thing I know a masked man (aka my dentist) is tapping me on the shoulder telling me they are ready to begin. He then proceeded to numb my mouth with about 6 or 7 shots of Novocain. Man, that hurt....to the point that tears ran down my face. Then the drilling began.....and although it didn’t hurt......it went on forever. Just when I though it was over, the dentist merely switched sides and started drilling all over again. This time it did hurt.....the Novocain had apparently worn off on that side of my mouth. So once again, out came the Novocain and that same old burning pain. Finally the hygienist came in to do her thing.....she and the tech had a discussion as to why she was not allowed to do her thing first.....I’m thinking, jeez who cares, just do your thing so I can go home. These two try to drown me, I had to sit up twice and cough up the rinse water. They keep telling me to breath through my nose. Yeah, I get that....easier said then done. Finally it is over and they load me up into a wheel chair and take me to DH. DH takes me home and takes very good care of me. Then the numbness starts to wear off....my teeth and gums are very sore and tender. In fact, although much improved, they are still sore today. I just can’t wait to go back and have my permanent crowns installed....LOL!
My opinion on sedation dentistry.....it sucks! Yeah, I was relaxed......I guess.....But I still had pain and discomfort during the procedure and I was aware of everything. The tech told me I wouldn’t remember anything the next day......wrong! It is 3 days later and I still remember every painful moment. Quite frankly, I think drinking a six pack before the dentist would be a better solution and a whole lot cheaper!
The bottom line is I’m just gonna have to ‘put on my big girl panties’ and suck it up! After all, I have survived stitches, broken bones, surgeries, and childbirth...... I can do this......well.....maybe.....
I hate going to the dentist. I've had so many bad experiences in the chair that, to this day, if there is the least amount of pain, my muscles stiffen up. However, the dentist I go to now -- who advertises, "We cater to cowards" -- is much better than any of the previous.
ReplyDeleteHe prescribes Xanax for anxiety - one tablet the night before and 1 tablet under the tongue an hour before the appointment. Then, once I'm there, I get gas before they even start to do anything. I know that they use Novocaine, but I don't remember much about it afterward. It's certainly not as bad as it was with my previous dentists -- and I've always had the gas. The difference can't totally be the Xanax, which is not a sedative, but, rather, for anxiety. I think it's a matter of technique to a degree, even the injection of Novocaine.
Even so, I still hate to go to the dentist.
Mike, currently at home in Arkansas
Haw Creek Out 'n About
My worst dentist experiences were when I was in boot camp for the Canadian Navy back in the mid 60's. Dental work was done by military students who I'm sure went on later to perfect the art of human torture. Terrible, terrible, pain!!!! No worries now though because I had the whole works hauled out in an Ontario hospital back in the mid 80's. I have never ever regretted that decision:)) Too bad you have to go back:((
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