Hi,
I was abused as a kid and I'm left with an overwhelming fear of having things in my mouth and not being able to breathe properly through my nose. This has caused a few problems at the dentist, as you can imagine.
I've managed to overcome it enough to have some simple dental work done - a few fillings etc, which I'm quite proud of. However, one of my wisdom teeth pretty much fell apart last year and is cracked all the way down to the root.
Because there wasn't much to pull out, it has to be cut out. I went to the dental hospital to have it x-rayed etc, and that was quite traumatic but I got through it. While I was there, though I was told that I'd have to have my mouth open for several hours, and I saw someone with a clamp to keep their mouth open and was told I would get one of them too.
I'm almost vomiting just thinking about this. When the appointment came through, I cancelled it. I wish I could have a general anaesthetic. The department are very brusque and not sympathetic.
2006-10-18 18:11:09 · 16 answers · asked by josie 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Firstly, I am sorry that the Dental Hospital staff were not sympathetic to your needs, I trained at the biggest Dental Hospital in London, so am both surprised and ashamed that the department behaved in a negative way towards you - it would never have happened on my shift!!!!! Secondly, there are some options available to you which may have already been mentioned, but I'll tell you anyway.
1) Oral sedation prior to extraction, this involves you taking a sedative such a Diazepam in tablet form to sedate you before the procedure, it will make you very spaced out, but is very effective.
2) General anaestheic, this is where you are put to sleep, as far as I know this option is available on the NHS and Privately, it may simply be that the hospital you went to did'nt offer it to you, but I cannot think why it would not be reasonable for you to request a GA, unless you have health problems which may be compromised by a GA.
3) There are some holistic Dental practices about, they are all private, but would treat you quite differently than most Dental practices, it may be something to think about.
The most important piece of advice I can give you is don't take any crap from these people, you have a very valid reason for your fears and don't let people undermin that fact, try talking to your Dentist again about the whole situation and be insistant that you would like a GA if that's what you want. In the meantime, until the tooth has been removed warm salt water mouth wash over the affected area will help to keep it clean and debris free, also if you have'nt already got a prescription for anitibiotics to tide you over ask your Dentist for one, this should keep you out of pain until the fractured tooth has been removed. All the best to you.
By the way, you don't ALWAYS have to have a mouth prop in when you have wisdom teeth out, sometimes it can be helpful, but not always necessary. Hope this has helped you a bit. x
2006-10-18 21:19:11 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne L 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The other answers are correct. You need to feel comfortable with your dentist. You will not be able to overcome your fear, but it will be manageable if you trust your dentist. This guy you have now is not addressing your fear. I have the same problem with my physician. I haven't been in 5 years, because he gives me the impression that he could care less about me. This weekend, in fact, I'm getting a different doctor.
So look into getting another dentist. Really, it is the difference between a traumatic horrible experience and one that will turn out to not be that bad. And you should be able to get a general anesthetic. I had one when I had my wisdom teeth removed, and I didn't feel a thing. Someone above said a dentist cannot apply general anesthesia, but a surgeon can. If true, spend the money and go to a surgeon.
But most important, whatever you do, you have to have the procedure soon. Trust me, your fears will be nothing, absolutely nothing compared to the absolute pain of an infected exposed root. It'll make you sob uncontrollably, make you try to pull your own tooth out. One way or another, address this NOW.
2006-10-18 20:56:14 · answer #2 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Look for orthodontist in the dentists section of the phone book. Make sure to ask if he/she is board certified when you call for an appointment. You will need to see one to have the wisdom tooth cut out as this can be painful if done under local anesthestic. You will be evalutated before the actual proceedure is performed. Ask all the questions you want so you will know what will happen. You will also find out if this is the orthodontist that you want to perform your oral surgery. He/she will be qualified to put you in a drug induced sleep with an IV and remove the tooth with no pain. If you are asleep you will not have too worry about having things put in your mouth. Good luck
2006-10-18 18:39:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely find a different dentist who is willing to refer you to a surgeon specializing in oral surgery. A dentist can't give you a general anaesthetic, but a surgeon can.
I experience a lot of anxiety when I have to go to doctors of any kind, so when my wisdom teeth had to be removed, I insisted on a referral to a surgeon who could put me under completely. They just insert a needle, and in what seems like seconds, you'll be awake again and the procedure will be done!
Seriously, explain your situation, and if the dentist is unwilling to refer you, consider calling a surgeon on your own, and asking them to recommend a dentist to you! Also consider going to see a doctor and seeing if they can prescribe you some Lorazepam or other medication that will help calm you down when you suffer an anxiety attack!
2006-10-18 18:23:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi Josie - sorry youre going through this trauma. As someone has already suggested, you can go to another dentist, someone who is more sympathetic to your probem. You can also ask for general anaesthetic, which will be arranged by your dentist through your local hospital. Ive asked to go under for my wisdom teeth to be removed as more than a mirror in my mouth causes me to freak out!
Basically, youre the patient and you have the last say in your treatment so if youre not happy, either keep pushing for the sleepy gas or go elsewhere.
Good luck, theres nothing more painful than b*uggered up wisdom teeth! Sending you hugs, Bxx
2006-10-18 22:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Secret Squirrel 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find an oral surgeon tell him or her about your problem They can put you to sleep and do oral sugary and you will never know you had a clamp in your mouth.There are also some dentist who use liquid Valium to reduce the anxiety of the procedure. Don't mess around because you can end up with nerve damage in your face. The pain will be excruciating and you can actually loose control of that side of your face. So sorry you had such a horrendous nightmare of a child hood. Try to forgive the person and go on with your life. If you continue to let this rule your life and your actions then he still has power over you. What happened was not your fault it was his problem. Let him spend the rest of his life knowing what He did but you forgive and live and Be Happy. God Bless my prayers go with you.
2006-10-18 18:24:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
your need for surgery is urgent from what you say, I understand your problem of fear of things in your mouth/throat not through abuse but because i vomit a lot and fear choking to death as i have a extremely strong gag reflex and have thrown nurses across the room when they were trying to hold me down to put a camera into my stomach and pulled out the camera because I wasn't under general aneasthetic (they have tried this procedure twice on local neither time would I let the procedure get completeted) so as people have said get a dental surgeon that can put you under general aneasthetic or as has also been mentioned get valium or some other knock out drug prescribed or otherwise to get you through it and get the job done you will be better off long term........as a short term thing try dabbing clove oil on the affected area as it is a local aneasthetic and will reduce pain
2006-10-18 18:38:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could always ask to be put under because of your extreme fear of it. if you still have problems finding a dentist to help you out i would look around for a different dentist. I would suggest trying to find an oral surgeon to do the job although you might have to get a referal from your current dentist. but i would still push for being put under during the treatment if i were you.
2006-10-18 18:18:15 · answer #8 · answered by marlette n 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are in a lot of pain, I'd just bite the bullet and get it done. If you are not in a lot of pain now, you will be in the future when this becomes infected and you don't want to wait until that happens. Can you find a dentist that will allow you to have general anes.? Or, could you get "laughing gas?"
Best of luck to you.
2006-10-18 18:22:17 · answer #9 · answered by sweetpea77thst 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is nonsense.
I had my wisdom teeth out under full anaesthetic and I had a badly swollen face afterwards but I didn't have any clamps to keep my mouth open.
It sounds like your dentists are sadists.
2006-10-18 18:26:39 · answer #10 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋