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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llurpsienoodle on April 8, 2008, at 10:26:42
I broke a tooth (a molar) that already had a big composite filling, and a root canal from when I was a teenager. I guess it was only a matter of time.
All this depression has taken a toll on my teeth. I fear that I will need to get several fillings. :(
I always get freaked out. I posted on /medication/ about whether an anxiolytic (benzo) will help. what do you think?
send me hugs?
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2008, at 10:39:32
In reply to I have to go to the dentist, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 8, 2008, at 10:26:42
Li there are dentists that use premedication for people with extensive work to be done no idea what they use???? Love Phillipa
Posted by seldomseen on April 8, 2008, at 10:53:02
In reply to I have to go to the dentist, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 8, 2008, at 10:26:42
Oh lord, going to the dentist on a good day for me is hard.
I think the best thing you can do is talk to your dentist. I mean talk to him/her. Tell them that you get freaked out and develop a plan to keep the freakiness to a minimum.
Certain stopping signs, him telling you what you want to know while he's doing it, and alternate plans of treatment can really help you to feel more in control of the situation.
One thing, I don't know if your dentist has glasses, but mine does. And I could see what was going on in my mouth through the reflection in his glasses. Very very very scary. We had to fix that and pronto. He actually bought a filter to put on his glasses just for me that blocked the reflection.
He thanked me for freaking out and wondered how many other patients felt that way. He wears them for all of his patients now.
Good luck, I do think a benzo will help. Just let the dentist know that you are taking it prior to the appointment.
Seldom
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2008, at 12:22:34
In reply to I have to go to the dentist, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 8, 2008, at 10:26:42
Li I did answer that thread but call first. But think the benzo a good idea. Take when get there or close to there if they compromise your alertness. Love Phillipa and good luck. And need some myself as have to get ready now for endo and how to tell him I saw another and he messed up two years of his getting my thyroid stable and no sleep to boot. Too old for this. I'd nap too late.
Posted by ClearSkies on April 8, 2008, at 16:42:38
In reply to I have to go to the dentist, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 8, 2008, at 10:26:42
(((((Llurspie))))) Big dental hugs to you. Definitely speak with your dentist before you get the repairs done. I worked for a while in a dental office and we had quite a few patients who required the kind of premedication that you mention - the dentist would prescribe it for them in a single dose before the appointment. And, as others have mentioned, it bears mentioning so that there won't be any problems with the local anesthesia the dentist uses.
My sister wears dark sunglasses and her iPod to dental appointments - it helps her a lot. My current dentist keeps up a constant banter of slightly off color jokes during the entire appointment, which really helps to distract me :-) It doesn't seem to matter whether I hear the punchline or not, I just keep snickering and it seems to be the appropriate response!
You gotta talk before they do anything, though - lots of dentists are pretty clueless when it comes to the anxious effect they have on their patients.
Take care!
CS
Posted by jammerlich on April 9, 2008, at 7:15:28
In reply to Re: I have to go to the dentist » llurpsienoodle, posted by ClearSkies on April 8, 2008, at 16:42:38
Posted by llurpsienoOdle on April 9, 2008, at 10:43:29
In reply to Re: I have to go to the dentist » llurpsienoodle, posted by ClearSkies on April 8, 2008, at 16:42:38
well, the good news is that my teeth are very white, according to the hygienist.
The bad news is that 2 of my fillings are cracked, and I have a hole in one tooth (3rd filling)
a broken tooth = crown
a large filling which is another ticking time bomb = possible 2nd crown.
chaChing!
I have to pay 20% out of pocket + the difference between amalgam (which is what insurance pays for) and resin composite (which is the only type of filling that dentist does).
we're looking at a couple hundred bucks. Phart.
-Ll
This is the end of the thread.
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