Is there an alternate procedure for for extraction and filling without the needle that is painless?

Question

I have had an extraction in the past resulting in me ending up in the hospital. I had the injection to numb the area (waste of time). Since then I have had a fear of needles and the dentist. Whenever I go to the dentist now, I am really scared to the point I start vomiting and having asthma attacks. Is there another procedure which I can have, probably just get gased or something else so I won't be awake during the procedure of filling or extraction?

Answer 1

You need to research your area's dentists. Sounds like you've had bad ones before! I had the same problem til I found one I trusted---he advertised with "Afraid of the dentist? Call US!". I have used him for 19 years now! Good luck....dentistry is a necessary evil.

Answer 2

First of all, I'm sorry that a "SOB" dentist left you such a horrible answer. I hope I never have to work for him--or should I say I would NEVER work for him (I'm a dental hygienist). With that said, yes you can find other ways to calm you down. You could take Valium to help calm you down. Or use N20 during the procedure. The other option is to go to a dentist/oral surgeon that will put you under general anesthesia so that you are put to sleep and won't even know what's happening. Getting numb is not a waste of time. You just have to make sure the dentist waits until you're completely numb. Maybe even request a Dental Hygienist to numb you--we tend to be slower and cause less discomfort as the average dentist at giving injections. Sometimes the dentist forgets what it feels like and rushes it. Being really anxious, severe infection, or a history of heavy drug use can cause you to take longer to get numb.

Answer 3

Yet another example of poor advice from a hygienist. having a hygienist numb you is a lousy idea, for a number of reasons:

1. They don't know the anatomy like dentists do, and are therefore FAR MORE likely to either misplace the injection and thus NOT get you numb. Or, they may simply not know where to put the needle.

2. They don't give anesthesia anywhere near as frequently, and have LESS experience with the process and are LESS in-tune with what makes patients comfortable and uncomfortable. And when it comes to numbing lower teeth via mandibular nerve block, their lack of experience will turn your experience into pure hell.

3. Their education and knowledge of medicine and pharmacology is an absolute joke (I work with hygienists all the time, so I know this for a fact). That alone makes them unqualified and unfit to administer anesthesia as safely as possible. Lidocaine with epi is not saltwater. It is a compound drug containing two chemicals that can have very serious cardiovascular effects when administered improperly. Most of the hygienists I've ever encountered don't strike me as the type of individual I'd want injecting me with drugs.

Answer 4

I can't go to the dentist with out doing "oral sedation" I pay $300 each time just for the medication but it's awsome. Your aware to the point no one can violate you but your out of it and your not even aware what the dentist is doing. You know yet don't care. Some one has to basically babysit you for the rest of the day so you don't get hurt (you wouldn't care) I had two extractions and 6 root canals done in one sitting!! I was there for 8 hours and slept basically the whole time!!!! Now when I go in for check ups I'm not afraid of the doctor because I don't recall the "bad stuff" being painful or scary. I also have asthma, panic attacks, and OCD. This worked wonders for me. I had $5000 worth of work done I never could of done it with out the oral sedation. Obviously with the money I spent I wasn't fond of going to the dentist. My other stuff wasn't even an issue (example: asthma)

Answer 5

Whew, I know you must be afraid. Yes, ask your dentist about forms of sedation. Anxiety is more common than you may think. And it's really ok...The dentist is trained to help you during your procedures. And, just a reminder, always consult a dentist for the best advice concerning your dental health.

Answer 6

Hey Cope_Acetic,

If filth like you kept your teeth cleaner, we wouldn't have to inject you as frequently as we do. Furthermore, who the hell are you to judge an entire profession as a "necessary evil." We are doctors, and we suffered through four years of dental school torture (and some of us through post-graduate training as well) to take care of the general public's health. We deserve more respect than what you've displayed in your post. You are an unappreciate and obnoxious SOB who doesn't deserve the treatment we provide (yet will continue to receive it as a result of our sense of duty). One of these days you may find yourself with an excruciating toothache, or better yet, in a situation where someone punched you in the face and knocked out half your teeth and broke the other half. You'll be on your knees for this profession to which you referred as a "necessary evil." I've dealt with plenty of your kind--writhing in pain and begging for my treatment.

"Sounds like you've had bad ones before". Is that your educated answer? I have no doubt that you are qualified to determine when a patient has received substandard care from a dentist. Perhaps you should keep your idiotic guesses to yourself.

It sounds to me like Worried_Wife had may have had an infected tooth that was very difficult to anesthetize, or that she had previous fears of the dentist that made her uncomfortable during treatment no matter how well anesthetized she was.

Answer 7

They can give you a gas that works quite well. I know how you feel, I am terrified of needles. And something about dentists always causing pain makes them seem kinda sadistic LOL

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Have the dentist knock you out. One of our local dentists advertises that he "caters to cowards". Alot of dentists are willing to use anesthesia, ask your dentist about it. Tell him that your fear is extreme and is preventing you from getting the dental work you need.

Answer 9

You can ask for oral sedation like one poster had answered for you.
If Nebula D is really a dentist, I would be afraid to use him because of the way he posted, talking nasty to the poster and the ones who answered...very unprofessional. Shame on you, Nebula.

Answer 10

Yes they can gas you to sleep, but not all dentists are willing or want to do that, (costs and over health problems)