At the dentist today... not good news!

gratefulbear629 · Apr 20, 2005

Well, I had a trip to the dentist this morning. A piece of one of my fillings has been missing for a while (*hangs head in shame*) and it starting hurting. So I made an appt. I thought it would be just a refilling, in and out. Dr. looked at it and said to take an x-ray....

NOW I need a root canal!!

I have been petrified of the dentist ever since I was little... the dr. before didn't use novacane when he drilled!!!

And both my father and grandmother had horrible teeth so he drilled a lot of cavaties. The sound of the drill gives me goosebumps and I couldn't sit still the whole time in the chair... gives me the creeps just being there.

Honestly, I do brush my teeth twice a day and yet I still get cavaties. I hate it. Although I'm just happy to have my teeth.. both my nan and my dad had false teeth by the age of 25/30. I hope I have a little better luck than them.

Well my appt is next week. I hope they give me lots of nice meds!!!

kellyyfaber · Apr 20, 2005

Originally Posted by GratefulBear629

Well, I had a trip to the dentist this morning. A piece of one of my fillings has been missing for a while (*hangs head in shame*) and it starting hurting. So I made an appt. I thought it would be just a refilling, in and out. Dr. looked at it and said to take an x-ray....

NOW I need a root canal!!

I have been petrified of the dentist ever since I was little... the dr. before didn't use novacane when he drilled!!!

And both my father and grandmother had horrible teeth so he drilled a lot of cavaties. The sound of the drill gives me goosebumps and I couldn't sit still the whole time in the chair... gives me the creeps just being there.

Honestly, I do brush my teeth twice a day and yet I still get cavaties. I hate it. Although I'm just happy to have my teeth.. both my nan and my dad had false teeth by the age of 25/30. I hope I have a little better luck than them.

Well my appt is next week. I hope they give me lots of nice meds!!!

Oh hon I'm sorry. I know how you feel, I've had 3 root canals. I take very good care of my teeth too but everyone's body composition is made up differently. My enamel wore down b/c I grind my back teeth in my sleep sometimes, thus making it easier for the cavities to form. Just reiterate to your dentist how scared you are and that you want the gas and as many meds as you can get. Let us know how it goes!! It's honestly not TOO bad.

fwan · Apr 21, 2005

glad to say i dont have any fillings yet or any sort of dental work!
But good luck with your root canal dont worry everything will be ok

hissy · Apr 21, 2005

I feel for you, I have the same procedure coming up next week- and we wil have company here when I go! My fear is so real I decided to do a website www.feardentists.com actually doing this website allowed me to understand where my fear originated from and slowly overcome it- which is now why I have to face having a lot of procedures done-

kellyyfaber · Apr 21, 2005

You know, there are a lot of dentists who specialize in fearful patients these days. I just saw a commercial this morning for one here locally.

rosehawke · Apr 21, 2005

Good luck! I broke off a crowned tooth about a month ago, right at the gum line. And of course towards the front so it left a gap (eyetooth.) It didn't hurt so I put off going to the dentist for a couple of weeks as I knew, from where it broke off, that it was going to be $$$$. Two weeks ago I ended up with a root canal, pegged and built up (when there's not enough tooth left to just slap a crown on) AND the one behind it prepped for a crown as it had a largish, very old filling that turned out to have decay under it

. Oh, and I spent over 3 hours in that chair, too.

$2250.00. Ouch

. All out of pocket.

xocats · Apr 21, 2005

Good for you for walking through your fear & doing what you know you must do.

rarepuss · Apr 21, 2005

don't worry about it, it's only a root canal

I have at least 10 crowns already, and i'm only 29. I just go with teh flow, figuring out i got my father's teeth

My mom's though are perfect, straight and beautiful, i had to struggle with mine all my life, just maybe 8 years ago finally getting a beautiful smile (paying for it $$$ of course!

)

kittylover4ever · Apr 21, 2005

Katie, I received your PM. Oh, please try to relax and know that people have root canals done everyday. How I wish I could be there with you because I know moral support really helps me.

It will be ok. Just make sure like everyone has said, you make sure before you sit down that you tell them you are really frightened and believe me, their compassion will show through. It'll be over with before you know it and as for the sound of the drill, ask if they have some headphones you can listen too, or if not, bring your own to drown the sound out.

beckiboo · Apr 21, 2005

I've had several root canals, and frankly they are not the horror they are made out to be. All it means it the dentist will clean out the root of the tooth where the nerve is at. Guess what? No nerve, no pain! They will definitely give you medicine for the pain during the procedure. When done, you will have a brand new tooth that will basically last forever!

Be sure to schedule regular cleanings, every 6 months. That has helped the most for me, I have seen my dentist enough that now I am comfortable with him.

Also, if you can distract yourself, that will be good. Listening to headphones is a good idea. And do let them know you are nervous ahead of time, so they will be prepared to be extra gentle with you!

captiva · Apr 21, 2005

It's gonna be O.K.

gratefulbear629 · Apr 26, 2005

Well, it's over. And it hurts!! Took almost 2 hours but he did it all today. I just have to go back in 2 weeks for a crown.

$700!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And insurance isn't covering it!

But now I am going to fill my prescription and maybe I will feel better.

vespacat · Apr 26, 2005

Happy to hear you're doing well! My dentist always gives me nitrous oxide so I'm usually pretty relaxed by the time I see the needles coming at me.

februa · Apr 26, 2005

Dentists are sooooo expensive. Im glad you got through everything alright. Hissy, I think it is fantastic that you made a site to help other people, Im in the group of people who dont like the dentist (to put it mildly) myself.

sweets · Apr 26, 2005

I found that if you set up a hand signal that you need a break, it helps to ease your tension. Part of the fear is the lack of control while your mouth is full of gauze and cotton and instruments.

wellingtoncats · Apr 26, 2005

Oh the dentists - I feel for you! Glad it's all over with.

hissy · Apr 26, 2005

Well I will trade you bills Grateful Bear! Mine was $1,500.00 out of pocket!

Mine wasn't that bad thank God. He used a new laser drill on me, as well as something called a vibrajet- it jars the nerves so he can give full coverage of shots in the area. I go back Monday to fit the crown. The price I was billed includes the crown.

gratefulbear629 · Apr 26, 2005

That price didn't include the crown. I still have to pay for that when I go back.

And I still have to get 3 more wisdom teeth pulled.... AND I'm sure I have some more cavities lurking in there some where.

rosehawke · Apr 26, 2005

Y'all weren't payin' attention. I've still got you beat at $2250 for the deal (I still owe $700 *sigh*)

.

And the crowns were $750 apiece. You have my sympathy GratefulBear!

misstorri · Apr 26, 2005

Go see Dr Donn in Cherry Hill he's awesome! Expensive as hell but awesome!

At the dentist today... not good news!

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