I have to have treatment at the dentist and the injections don't numb the pain, what can I do to bear it?

Question

Is there something I could take myself to eliminate the sensation? I don't think I am going to be able to sit there and endure it. Can anyone help me please?

But my dentist knows it still hurts and she does give me injections, which also hurt. In the uk no one seems to use gas anymore. I am dreading the treatment!

Thankyou HeatherS for the sound advice and I know you are right as a lot of my fear of the dentist IS in my head and mostly when I come away afterwards, I realise it just wasn't THAT bad!
BUT in this instance this is my fourth visit in a course of treatments and apart from the first time where the injections worked, they havn't since, and although she was very good about it, she has said that I can expect to feel the pain next time too!!!!!!!!!!
I am havin cold sweats at just the thought. Also, two teeth whose fillings she replaced are now sensitive to cold foods and I am frightened to mention this as one of these were the painful ones...and both these were fine with no toothache at all before she re-filled them?

Answer 1

Anytime during a procedure you can raise the left hand and the dentist will stop. If you "aren't having a profound numbness" with the use of one anesthetic, she can always switch to a different one. When a patients doesn't seem to react to the lidocaine (which is probably what she is using on you, Novacaine is never used anymore) as well as we like, we change and use another one which usually has "an immediate effect" on the patient. Although some times it's not "pain" a patient is actually "feeling." It's the sounds and noise along with having several hands and numerous instruments in your mouth, giving you the feeling of being completely out of control, which makes you "think you are feeling pain." If you realize this, it sometimes helps in eliminating this feeling of "pain" that you may be associating with the actual procedure. Either way, the "left hand raise is universal" and it means for the dentist to stop! Use it if necessary, and you should tell the dentist prior to starting the procedure about your sensation of pain the last visit and she may change to a different anesthetic at the start. Our objective is to keep you out of any unnecessary pain and as comfortable as possible during your visit. If you think that that may apply to you, then you may want to consider using head phones or an Ipod during your procedure. We don't mind these, (some offices have them available for use) actually we encourage patients to use anything that helps them. We don't need "you" to "hear or speak" unless you need to, we just need your mouth open! It really helps us to do our job. Good luck and I hope I've been of some help with this today and that you will take my advice the next time your in to see your dentist.



Additional information: Some sensitivity in a new restoration is normal for a while, it may take a month or two before it settles down. Try to avoid cold or hot so you don't add undo stimuli to the tooth. Also, for the dentist remark where she said you will feel pain at your next procedure, which is absolutely wrong. If this dentist can not anesthetize you then you need to find a new dentist who knows how to give an injection properly. All dentist should be able to give an injection to achieve profound numbness for the patients comfort during any procedure, unless there is an infection such as in an abscess that may block the anesthetic from absorption in the area. So if she can't do it and admitts she can't, get another dentist who can and save your self a lot of unnecessary pain. Maybe she missed that day at dental school, hate to think of what else she may have missed.

Answer 2

Well novacaine(i think thats what they used on me though i had a filling for that but my friend had it also for tooth removal after she severely damaged one from a bad fall) does a pretty good job in the sense you won't be able to feel and won't be able to feel anything a few hours after. Don't worry about the dentist thinking your teeth are the worse, they probbly will lecture you about it as they kinda have too. They see tons of people with all types of dental hygiene, likely all they want to do is get the job done.

Answer 3

you could try to find a dentist who uses IV conscious sedation. here is info on it:

"I offer conscious IV sedation,
which allows me to finish the
dental work in one appointment."

BIOLOGIC DENTISTRY AND IV SEDATION

Before Conscious IV sedation was used in Biological Dentistry, there was no other choice but to have the patient come into the office as many as 5 or 6 times for treatment.


According to Dr. Hal Huggins, a pioneer researcher of biological dentistry, IV sedation is...[a good] approach for the patient's welfare because...[it will] not interfere with the 7-14-21 day cycle of the immune system. ...this new approach...[allows] for faster recouperation, excellent detoxification,...and [is] less stressful for the patient.


IV sedation is performed by a licensed anesthesiologist (M.D.). ...we use MIDAZOLAM. The risk is minimal with heart and blood pressure being monitored throughout the procedure. ...[It] can last anywhere from 3-6 hours, depending on the amount of work required; But...to...the patient,...[it will seem like] it has only been an hour or less. The patient does not go under. They can talk, use the restroom, and interact and participate throughout the procedure. Some...patients drive home,...although...the patient [may opt to] bring a friend or spouse with them.

Answer 4

It is not in your head. A qualified dentist should be able to get you numb. Sometimes a persons nerves (what they need to get with the anesthetic) are not in the same place as most people. They may need to go higher or lower from where they are going. Personally I'd go see someone else.

Answer 5

If it is the novacaine (sp?) you are speaking of ask for a higher dose. When I had work done he gave me some shots and noted that the amount I had in me (when I felt numb) was only about 7-10 percent. He said it I still felt pain he could give me more and it would not be dangerous. Rather to ask questions early than have pain too late.

Answer 6

you have to tell the dentist the stuff in the needles is not strong enuf and u can still feel the pain, they need to increase ur dose

if you dont speak up they wont know

Answer 7

Let your dentist know that the last dosage was not effective. You can also request nitrous oxide.