I went to my dentist a few days ago. I hate going to the dentist. I can handle having my wisdom teeth pulled (final two done on Thursday) but that friggin vibration through my teeth during the polishing is enough to keep me from her for the past 8 years or so.
I scrub and scrub and scrub, but it’s never as good as the dentists does. So I finally go in for the referral to the surgeon for the Wisdom’s, and allow her DH to do a quick gum check. I’m between gingivitis and periodontitis. No permanent damage, but she’ll need to scale the teeth below the gumline with something called (help me out here) a cavitator? Something like that.
Anyway, they’re doing it in 2 sessions, each with a good dose of Valium and complete numbing. Each also lasting about 1.5 hours. I don’t care. The Valium will take care of anxiety. I just want to hear from people that have had this done or know of others going through this torture routine.
What can I expect? Will the Valium really help? (I want gas for any polishing, let alone drilling) What does it feel like afterwards? I know it will eventually feel great since everything will be heatlhy again, but for the first few days?
Too many questions, just throw some stuff out here concerning this procedure.
I had this done about 3-4 years ago. They’ll numb half your mouth each time. The worse part will be the noise (a high pitched whine). It took several hours for the novacaine to wear off, but there was little pain afterwards, mostly soreness. Unless they hit some infected or damaged area, it shouldn’t be that bad. I was not given any pain medicine or nitrous. YPMV (your pain may vary :D). Take along your portable music device. It’ll be a big help and will take your mind off the noise somewhat (be sure you have fresh batteries!).
Three days later, I had the other half done.
Perhaps I have a high tolerance for this sort of thing (I wouldn’t have believed it going in, though).
I had it done and I got about 5-6 cold sores in my mouth. I usually get one at a time about twice a year, but the scaling seemed to cause a major flare-up. They went away in about two weeks though.
I had this done within the past year in two sessions. I was preparing for the worst, but it really wasn’t that bad at all. The worst part was the novocaine shots before the procedure. After the novocaine wears off, it was a little sore for a day or so.
Having my wisdom teeth removed was far worse. But I guess that’s to be expected as they were removed in bootcamp.
Don’t sweat it. I had it done a few years ago, although without any Valium, just a local anesthetic. I had a brief reaction of feeling hot and sweaty to the shot (both times), but it passed in a few minutes. It probably won’t happen to you.
Once I was numb, the procedure itself was no problem. I don’t remember feeling any pain or even discomfort. There was a little tenderness and soreness in the gums as the shot wore off later in the day, but by the next day everything was fine.
In short, don’t worry about it. And afterwards, get in the habit of flossing every day, get an Oral B 3D rotating head toothbrush, use it for at least two solid minutes twice a day, and rinse with a good mouthwash for at least 30 seconds after every brushing. That’ll help get that gum disease under control.
And don’t let that fear of the dentist keep you from going back for regular checkups. I was able, through the routine I described above, to keep from losing my wisdom teeth, but you have to be very regular with your flossing and brushing and go to the dentist despite your fears.
Or plan on needing dentures when you get to be 50 or 60.
I’d ask if they do sleep dentistry. If they don’t, I’d find someone that does. It costs more and your insurance probably won’t cover the additional cost but IMHO, it is entirely worth it. You go to the dentist, sit in the chair and wake up at home. It’s wonderful. You’re actually awake during a good portion of the procedure but due to the miracle of medicine, you won’t remember much if any of it.
All you need is more money and someone to drive you home. My dentist charged $120 extra for it. YDMV.
I had this done about six months ago (one side at a time, a week apart). I was worried that it would be painful, but it wasn’t really that bad. Better than having a cavity filled, for example. Not painful but sore for a few hours after the novacaine wore off.