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Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:27 pm |
Hi all! I just moved to a new area so the search for a new dentist has begun. The dentist I saw most recently seemed very knowledgeable and he graduated from Harvard Dental School, so my general feeling is that he is reliable. He wants to replace two of my older fillings and also do an upper-lip frenectomy using a laser. (BTW, has anyone else had this procedure done? If so, please tell me all about it in detail.) The only problem is that I'm one of those high-strung types who gets VERY nervous about needles and even MORE nervous about any kind of dental work. All the previous dental work I've had done was while I was under nitrous oxide and I was STILL a nervous wreck. Unfortunately, this dentist, for whatever reason, doesn't use nitrous oxide at all. He wanted me to just have the procedures done without any kind of sedation, but when I balked he wrote me a prescription for valium and told me to take 2 an hour before I came in for the procedures. Has anyone else used valium instead of nitrous? What was your experience? Man, I'm nervous as all heck---- on the one hand, this doctor seems very skilled and I'd like to have these procedures taken care of as soon as possible so I can quit worrying about them, but on the other hand, I'm apprehensive about doing it without nitrous for the first time in my life, and also apprehensive about what to expect with just taking valium. I have to admit that I'm also slightly apprehensive that the dentist isn't MORE concerned with making sure his patients have an anxiety-free, pain-free experience.
What are your thoughts, ladies? And what kind of experiences have you had with these kinds of issues? |
_________________ 27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:42 pm |
I think it is your right to have the procedures done the way YOU want them to be done.
He is the dentist, true, but you are the client and you clearly have anxiety issues about having this kind of surgery done. It is important that you can trust, talk to and feel understood by your dentist.
It might be the case that it goes fine and it's a relief afterwards, but it would be better if he could put your mind at ease before hand. He doesn't seem to have done that
I did a quick google and this is what I found
http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/articles/frenectomy.html
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People who go through a laser frenectomy must remain completely still during the operation. Younger children may need general anaesthesia while older children and adults may opt for local anaesthesia with or without nitrous oxide. The whole surgery can be completed in a quarter of an hour. |
So it is completely safe and normal to have this done without nitrous oxide. If I were you I would check with my dentist to see if you could take the nitrous oxide if you're too anxious to cope with it when you get there.
I don't know you so I don't know how bad your dentist-phobia is, but it looks like you should be alright just taking the valium to help you relax and feel comfortable. Remember, he's doing this so you can be healthy not to scare you
I hope this reassures you. It sounds like he's doing the right thing just that he didn't explain it very well!
No wonder you were anxious. He might have graduated from Harvard but he's still a stranger and it's a bit much to ask for your complete trust while holding back information about what to expect, even if he did do it unknowingly.
The more you know and understand, the more alright it seems. |
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Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:00 am |
I feel your pain, literally! I've had the most awful trouble with my teeth my entire life. When I was only three years old I had to go to hospital and have all my upper teeth removed - and it's basically gone down-hill from there.
All my top teeth (and some at the bottom) are capped. But I recently developed an abscess under two of the top caps and when I went to the orthodontist he informed me that the abscess was only an inch from my brain and if it got into that I could die. So I immediately had to have some of the bridge cut out in order to treat it. I now have two implants that required bone grafts and a bank account that is minus AUD$11,000. The whole procedure took over six months to do. The dentist has now also informed me that the rest of my bridge-work is about to crumble in the dust.
So all I can tell you is that I HATE going to the dentist, but I just try to give myself over to the ordeal when I am laying in the chair and zone out. In Australia, there are not that many dentists that give nitrous oxide.
You really should explain to your dentist how you feel - they must have to deal with anxious people all the time. And if Valium helps - then go for it. Good luck!! |
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Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:16 am |
You could always get a second opinion. Or find someone who will do the procedure with nitrous oxide. But, let me tell you, you won't be too worried about a whole lot after taking two valium.
I'm always wary of drs and dentists, sometimes it seems they just want to do procedures and tests to bill your insurance. Luckily, I've found a very good dentist who never does unnecessary stuff.
I recently had an impacted wisdom tooth out, though. man, if I only knew... I would've just left the darn thing in. The oral surgeon played down the pain part of it BIG TIME. I was completely sedated for that, so that's one thing to be thankful for.
Sorry, that probably didn't make you feel better about things! I'm sure you'll be fine, Liz! |
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Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:07 pm |
How are you, Liz?
It may be too late to comment here, but I'm guessing the valium isn't instead of nitrous, it's in addition to. One is for nerves, the other is for pain.
I don't know that you can expect a dentist to get too bent out of shape about your anxiety/fears. What would have been the perfect thing for him to say? "I know what I'm doing"? "I'm a professional"? "There, there"? "I could do this in my sleep"? It seems to me that an Rx for valium is a very satisfactory, non-judgmental undramatic way to handle it.
I'm just curious as to why you're having the procedure. I've only heard of it being done to children, to avoid a space between the two front teeth. Can you tell us more about it?
I had a frenectomy when I was a child. Maybe about 8. With no anesthesia or even warning, really. It pinched. Period. I remember the pinch, but then I held a Kleenex to my mouth briefly ,and we went home to dinner. No downtime, no healing period. Very simple. And that's without lasers. True, I was a kid, but also, true, no lasers. Some tiny tool that just clipped the thing.
I now have a great smile. (yay!) I'm not crazy about dentists, but I don't pass out or anything. I would, however, be very, very happy if one gave me an Rx for Valium before visits!
So tell us -- what's the latest? |
_________________ tenderlovingwork.com, astonishing handmade gifts |
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Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:37 pm |
Luckily I am not dental phobic but my mother is. She has found taking Bachflower Rescue Remedy for several days before the visit, and taking it several times on the day of the visit, helped her anxiety considerably. Cheap and available at any health food store, it keeps forever and is also very good for pets that are having anxiety for any reason. Also it won't interfere with the valium.
My old dentist gave nitrous oxide, I found it didn't make much difference. |
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