Sedation Dentistry
 
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Sedation Dentistry

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(@brad-ott)
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I am 43 years old and in the last several years have discovered that I am claustrophobic all of a sudden. Many years ago I was able to do an MRI okay, but a few years ago no way.

This has also shown up in the dentist chair lately. I simply cannot 'stand' to sit there while someone is working in my mouth. It has something to do with my lack of control. I know this is a mental issue, and is 'in my head', but it manifests itself out here in reality.

I have been a lifelong excellent dental patient and have always taken very good care of my teeth, even though the dentist manages to find cavities that they say needs to be filled during most visits. Growing up, and for most of my adult life I went in for regular 6 month checkups. These last couple years, not so much.

Last year one of my molars lost its filling and the dentist sent me to a specialist for a root canal. I could not sit there even with a little gas for the root canal procedure. I left before any work was done.

I have been plugging along with maximum strength Orajel and Dent's Extra Strength Toothache Gum from Walgreens. This weekend the pain and discomfort really flared up. I have been trying all the home remedies I can find - peanut butter, bread slices, pressure points.

So now I am about to contact a sedation dentist I found on-line nearby. Of course I have no dental or health insurance right now, whatsoever. One of my concerns is that apparently under this procedure I will be conscious and able to communicate with the dentist during the procedure. They say that I likely will not remember any of it the next day, but I am concerned that my brain might still freak out during the procedure and want to walk out again.

When I was about 18 I had my wisdom teeth removed and they put me out entirely for that procedure. I have also learned that I have a rough time coming out of anesthesia, but if we tell the surgeon ahead of time they can give me some additional medication beforehand that will help keep my stomach settled while I am coming out after the procedure.

I would much prefer to be put out entirely, but I will be asking about the pros and cons of those and any other options.

Anyone here have any experiences along these lines you are willing to share?

It is hell getting old, and I am still young!

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 6:36 am
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
 

"I could not sit there even with a little gas for the root canal procedure."

You are not getting enough gas.

I am going in today to have a filling replaced that fragment from a walnut hull dislodged last week. When I made the appointment, I ask them to find my gas mask.

When I was about 10 a dentist had my jaw packed with cotton pads and got his drill into it. That stuff was flopping and splattering around in my mouth and my thought was that he was cutting my face off.

Now, I insist upon about 20min of gas and let my dentist know that I do not want to feel any pain. Pressure maybe, but I don't want to feel a thing.

He also gives me a extra amount in the main hypodermic shot in the jaw.

I don't mind the extra $25 he charges to induce me into a state of actual numbness that lasts till I get home and have my medication in hand.

He is also a client, so we have an understanding to treat each other best we can.

😉

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 6:56 am
(@surveyor-nw)
Posts: 230
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Your not alone.....
I had some butcher from eastern europe growing up....
Any current up to date dentist I've met since then
has been a dream! Don't get me wrong, I still hate having
my teeth worked on, I'm 6 months overdue to get the crown
after my root canal (one of the most painless and caring
proceedures I think I've ever had, the right endodontist is the
BOMB!) New dentist has been after me to get my "restoration" work
done... for those 6 months.

The wife, no way, she's a basket case for any thought of dentistry!!!

I'm with Martha Stewart on this one...
Lack of pain?......... "it's a good thing!"

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:03 am
(@deleted-user)
Posts: 8349
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"You are not getting enough gas."

Well I suppose if Brad doesn't receive a reply sufficient enough to alleviate his dilemma he could stand behind His Holiness The Cow and wait for a methane blast. That would put him under for at least 48 hr's. 😉

Have a great week! B-)

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:09 am
 jud
(@jud)
Posts: 1920
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When I was 29 I needed to get my wisdom teeth removed because of crowding. When asked if I wanted two at a time, I chose 4 because I wasn't sure he would ever get me back in that seat. Two turned out to be impacted and one he was calling a Boney, so there was a lot of chisel and hammer work followed up with probing for pieces. Did fine until the last tooth and the assistant, as cute as she was, leaned over me with her vacuum to clean the free blood out. Felt like my breathing stopped and a panic attack was well on it's way of getting started, took a lot of talking to myself to get myself calmed down again. That was an intense moment and I know how you felt, I was offered gas but chose to stay alert. Might need to knock me in the head to even get me in the office, let alone the chair, if I was facing another one of those cures.
jud

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:13 am
(@dave-ingram)
Posts: 2142
 

I have been a "super chicken" my entire life - and PROUD of it, NOT.

At any rate, my dentists and I have tried everything under the sun and here's what we finally found that works without putting me to sleep.

The night before at bedtime - Valium

The morning of the appointment - Valium

At the office - Nitrous

For a numbing med - Lidocain

Headphones cranked up loud on rock - generally John Boy & Billy

And close my eyes

With this set-up I'm just aware enough that I can respond if needed, but I don't feel a thing. And then after a few minutes off the gas I can walk out under my own power.

The last couple of crowns I have had done were done in 2 hours flat! And none of this temporary crap.

Try this - it will work.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:25 am
(@bill93)
Posts: 9834
 

It sounds like you need an anti-anxiety drug more than you need general anesthesia. If your dentist can't give you that, try asking your doctor if he can prescribe something for very short-term use.

I don't seem to have the problem, and am very afraid of long-term effects of general anesthesia on the brain. I'd rather keep what ability I have to think, for as long as possible.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:29 am
(@tom-adams)
Posts: 3453
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> ..... New dentist has been after me to get my "restoration" work done...

Sounds like someone's boat payment is due....

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 7:32 am
(@cliff-mugnier)
Posts: 1223
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I have a high tolerance for pain; I do not take any medication or lidocain for just drilling and putting in a filling, but I DO take medication for dental surgery and hammer & chisel work.

I have a Dentist and a Periodontist, and if they are going to do something drastic, I am given a prescription for one pill to take 30 minutes before my appointment. (For that powerful stuff, someone has to drive me both ways.) In the chair, they then give me sufficient lidocain shots that don't bother me ... I still find the shots in my palate uncomfortable, though. Everything after that I rarely remember details.

I then get another prescription for hydrocodone pills to tide me over for a couple of days, and I don't experience any discomfort at all. I DO stick to soup, though.

Sounds to me that you need one of those powerful "happy pills" before you go in, but you'll need a driver both ways.
-------------------------
Biggest improvement in the quality of life from the 19th century to the 20th century?

Dental care.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 9:49 am
(@jon-payne)
Posts: 1595
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Brad

Get in and get it fixed. It is amazing how many health problems can be found or start at your teeth and gums. Take care of them.

In the mean time, for some relief of sensitivity, you can get clove oil and soak a cotton ball. Clamp down on the cotton ball with the sensitive teeth and let the oil soak in. It feels almost like the shot they give you before a filling.

I have been fortunate that my wisdom teeth came out with just the shot in the gums. The dentist used a mini crow bar and it was uncomfortable, but I would rather put up with the discomfort than have the gas.

Apparently the gas can make folks do and say some weird stuff. There was a lady (I'll give her the benefit of the doubt) in the next room over who was coming out from under the influence of the gas last time I had a wisdom tooth pulled. Her language was enough to make me blush - and I had been working around some pretty crusty characters. Her husband was embarrassed and apologetic to the hygienist. The hygienist said that was not unusual when coming back to clarity.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 10:01 am
(@bill93)
Posts: 9834
 

I, too, get most of my fillings without numbing. The dentist is more careful if he knows I'm not numb. The worst part of it all, with or without numbing, is the heat build up from prolonged grinding. If they don't douse it with water often enough, the overheated nerves are then more sensitive to hot and cold drink for weeks. So it's a good tradeoff for a little minor discomfort if he will be more careful of heat.

One guy said he thought pain was mostly in the mind, and with the proper mental state it could be overcome. He preferred to "transcend dental medication."

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 10:30 am
(@jd-juelson)
Posts: 597
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"Anyone here have any experiences along these lines you are willing to share?"

"It is hell getting old, and I am still young!"

I feel your pain! (pun intended!) In 2007, my dentist told me that the remaining 19 teeth I had left couldn't be saved, so I sat thru 6 hours of teeth pulling, something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy (well, there are a few folks I would like to pull their teeth out W/O any anethesia!) Anyhoots, I did it with just novacaine, what a beotch! It wasn't until afterword I found out I could of been sedated. That would have been so much better! Go with the sedation, you won't even know what they did until the local wears off and it really starts to hurt, but at least you have the in the mouth work done. Good luck!! +o( :bored: :excruciating:

Yes it is hell getting old, and I thought I was still young until it started to hurt just getting out of bed in the morning!

-JD-

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 10:57 am
(@tom-adams)
Posts: 3453
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> One guy said he thought pain was mostly in the mind, and with the proper mental state it could be overcome. He preferred to "transcend dental medication."

😀 :good:

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 11:12 am
(@noodles)
Posts: 5912
 

> I am 43 years old and in the last several years have discovered that I am claustrophobic all of a sudden. Many years ago I was able to do an MRI okay, but a few years ago no way.

I feel for ya, Brad. 😐

I'm terrified of the MRI machine!!! :-O

Well, I didn't use to be. But about 2 years ago, they wanted to do one on me because of my arthritis in my spine/hips and so... I hopped up there, no big deal. They gave me a warm blankie, headphones, music, etc... Then they slid me in. That was it. I had a panic attack and freaked out!!! :-/

So, they re-scheduled and did me in the "Open" MRI machine. That one was OK, not as closed in, but I still didn't like it. But I managed to suck it up and get through it. (Ok and Wendell held my hand the entire time!) +o(

I loathe dental work. Chemo damaged my teeth and gums and did a number on me. I had to get a lot of dental work done, including crowns, cavities filled, etc... The dentist messed up on one of my crowns and it got so infected underneath that I had to get the tooth pulled.

After going through that hell, I vowed to do whatever I had to do to take care of my choppers so I would never have to go through that pain and agony EVER again. :-/

About 10 years ago, my dentist started me on a prescription fluoride toothpaste, and I brushed and flossed 2x a day. I grumbled because the freaking toothpaste cost $17 a tube!!! But...a funny thing happened...I went in 6 months after starting on that toothpaste and...all of the itty bitty cavities that were starting, disappeared!! And my teeth and gums got "Happy". I got rid of gum disease!! My teeth roots were no longer exposed, and the best part, I was finally able to eat hot and cold things again without any pain or tingling!! The dang toothpaste is what did it!! I haven't had ANY dental problems EVER since. No Cavities, nada!! When I go into the dentist they ask me what am I doing, my teeth and gums are so clean and healthy...I told them what I've been doing for the last 10 years and they say "I wish all of our patients did that." :-$

Wendell started on the same toothpaste about 8 years ago and...same thing for him. No more cavities, no gum disease, and he also has a healthy mouth. 😀

So, after you get your dental work done, get some of that toothpaste. It is SO worth it. And, I found a place online that sells it for $10 a tube now instead of $14. And the best part is, you don't use as much toothpaste with this stuff as you do the regular stuff because it is so concentrated and foamy. So, it lasts 3x as long. B-)

:angel:

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 1:40 pm
(@imaudigger)
Posts: 2958
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Legal Drugs

Lets put a positive spin on this situation.

They have drugs that don't numb you, but make it so you feel so good that you don't care what is going on. I had some surgery on an elbow awhile back and they offered this to me as an alternative to general anestheia because of reactions I've had in the past.

It's found inside a locked case that takes two different keys and a bunch of paper work to access.

Let me tell you - it is some seriously good stuff.

Within 15 seconds of getting the shot, you feel the drugs running through every vein in your body, then cold and shivering, then a comforting wave of warmth that makes EVERY concern and worry disappear.

You will be aware of your surroundings and can answer questions. You will have a small blurry field of view, but ZERO cares in the world. You would not care if they pulled every tooth out and you would not feel any pain from it. You will have very little loss of memory.

It is VERY addictive, as it wears off, you will desire more.

Not sure if it is necessarily available for dental work, but there are legal drugs that take care of pain and anxiety at the same time.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 2:24 pm
(@jd-juelson)
Posts: 597
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Legal Drugs

That would be Demerol. Happy, Happy juice. I believe it is banned now, like Percodan and a few others.

-JD-

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 2:36 pm
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
 

Just returned from the dentist.

He left me on the gas during the whole visit. :woot:

Pulled a partial tooth left over from a few years ago so he could do today's filling.

The drive was as twice as long as the visit.

Still "comfortably numb", taste is coming back and that antiseptic tastes like varnish smells.

😀

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 2:49 pm
(@imaudigger)
Posts: 2958
Registered
 

Legal Drugs

I don't think that was it. I told them I had been prescribed Demerol in the past and it didn't have much effect on me.

I think perhaps it was more along the lines of heroin or morphine. I remember it being in a locked case on the wall of the surgery room. It was a big deal when they got it out, two different people with two different keys, each person filling out paperwork. It looked like it may have been used during trama surgeries?
They said it would not numb the pain, but that I wouldn't care.

I suspect it was probably a highly addictive drug, as I still have fond memories of the experience. :snarky: It literaly left me with a weird kind of desire for more.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 2:55 pm
(@noodles)
Posts: 5912
 

Legal Drugs

> Lets put a positive spin on this situation.
>
> They have drugs that don't numb you, but make it so you feel so good that you don't care what is going on. I had some surgery on an elbow awhile back and they offered this to me as an alternative to general anestheia because of reactions I've had in the past.
>
> It's found inside a locked case that takes two different keys and a bunch of paper work to access.
>
> Let me tell you - it is some seriously good stuff.
>
> Within 15 seconds of getting the shot, you feel the drugs running through every vein in your body, then cold and shivering, then a comforting wave of warmth that makes EVERY concern and worry disappear.
>
> You will be aware of your surroundings and can answer questions. You will have a small blurry field of view, but ZERO cares in the world. You would not care if they pulled every tooth out and you would not feel any pain from it. You will have very little loss of memory.
>
> It is VERY addictive, as it wears off, you will desire more.
>
> Not sure if it is necessarily available for dental work, but there are legal drugs that take care of pain and anxiety at the same time.

I had that drug (or something similar)...It was called Halicon. (I think) I had the pill form. I definitely CONCUR with what you just said!!! :snarky:

I made the itty bitty mistake, though, of taking them too soon and too many. I was so scared and frustrated that the first one didn't work within the time frame it said, so I went ahead and took another. Then another. The label said to take 1-3 within 15 minutes. But I read it wrong and it meant to take one to three 15 minutes APART. Oops!! :-O

Oh my...the dentist, the secretary, the hygienist, hell the entire dental office AND my husband had the best laughs of their lives that day on my account. :-/

Maybe Wendell will come and tell you HIS version of what happened, because I don't remember anything. He said he laughed so hard he cried and cried, and cried some more because of my "condition". I'll tell you if he can even type out the story without laughing and crying again. |-)

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 3:26 pm
(@dave-lindell)
Posts: 1683
 

Legal Drugs

I went to the dentist onetime to have a tooth pulled.
He said he couldn't do it because he was out of Novacain.
I said I didn't care. Do it without the Novacain. I told him I have withstood pain twice in my life worse than anything he could do to me.
Sure enough, he pulled the tooth and I didn't flinch.
He was really impressed. He asked about the time I withstood worse pain. I told him I was out hunting and had to go to the bathroom and when I squatted down in the brush and did so right on a bear trap.
"Ewww" was all he could say while a shiver ran up and down his spine.
Then he asked about the second time. I told him it was when I reached the end of the chain.

 
Posted : April 30, 2013 3:27 pm
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