dentist

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what is the dentist like for you are you scared of dentists, do you get sedation, do you get laughing gas, ever been strapped down ever had dentist work

"Bloody terrified" sums up my thoughts on it. Even if it doesnt always make a whole lot of sense.

Like, there was one time when I had a bit of surgery to pull down this stupid, useless tooth that never came down, just... because. It would "look nicer that way" (except that tooth is deformed, so.... no). And holy crapsticks, was I ever scared of the whole thing. Nothing but absolute dread and fear in the couple of weeks leading up to it.

And then the day comes, and I'm just plain terrified and barely in control, and the whole thing starts, aaaaaand.... it's a very, very boring, that's right, BORING, three hours of staring up the doctor's nose. It was so completely dull that I nearly fell asleep like twice, but they wouldnt let me. The worst part? Couldnt eat anything but freaking soup for the next 3 days. I was rather tired of soup after that.

Yet even still, knowing how NOT bad that actually was.... still completely scared of anything related to dentistry. Aint been to one in ages. ....until a wisdom tooth randomly exploded (that sure was a confusing moment of confusion), but that's a whole other matter. Other than that though, yeah, I aint exactly been there much.

I do not mind the dentist at all. I have no idea why. I have had all four wisdom teeth pulled while I was awake, without laughing gas. I have good teeth, and have had maybe 3 small cavities in my life. So perhaps that's got something to do with it. I like having my teeth cleaned, because they feel smoother afterward.

I also don't mind getting shots at all. I give myself shots on a regular basis.

But I think that it's really common to hate the dentist. I would say it's more uncommon to not mind going to the dentist. I know of a few people, all NTs, who are basically terrified of going to the dentist for whatever reason.

I am terrified of the dentist. I had one bad experience, and now I have such an extreme reaction that even my 'new' dentist is amazed. She is very gentle, talks me through things, makes sure I am VERY numb (we test with the suction airflow--my gums are sensitive to cold), and gives me LOTS of gas. Keep in mind, the gas doesn't make me NOT afraid. What it does is keep me from shaking so bad that my whole body, including my head, is moving. My first appointment, she tried to give me a filling without it, and had to stop halfway through because it looked like I was seizing.
The gas makes it possible to have much needed work done (2 broken teeth repaired/root canaled/crowns, 4 additional root canals and crowns, and 4-5 fillings, and then, eventually, evening out my front teeth which are dented/worn down).

Without her, and her willingness to really be thorough, I wouldn't be able to get anything done. She was the best in my area, and had fantastic reviews. When I went in, however, I told her about my last experience, and how afraid I was. So she has been really great. I wish everyone I knew could come in and see her.

That being said, I would love for someone to create a SILENT drill. The SOUND makes me panic.

I have to be put on benzo before leaving and knocked out before anything is done. Even cleanings.