Ugh, awful dentist appointment (anxiety related)

[Awkward]

I feel like I'm falling apart. I had my twice a year cleaning and check up two days ago, and one of my oldest fillings had a small crack in it, they need to replace it. Ok, that's fine. I've always had zero problems going to the dentist, in fact I often find cleanings relaxing, despite a strong gag reflex.

Today I went back for the filling, and without going into all the gory details, it ended with me hysterically crying and feeling like I couldn't breathe. He never really hurt me, but he shoved a cotton ball back there (filling was on the back side of the last tooth on the bottom right) triggering my gag reflex. I didn't throw up, but I was so shook up I couldn't really calm down for the rest of the procedure, and when he was finally done I just sat in the chair and cried for a good 5 minutes and then again most of the drive home. The hygienist was super nice about it and said I could stay as long as I want. I was completely mortified.

I guess what I'm saying is I'm worried that my medical procedure and needle anxiety has spread to dental procedures too. Is this something counseling would help with, or should I make an appointment with my doctor to get a rx for Xanax or something to take before hand? It's not like I can just avoid going to the doctor or dentist for the rest of my life.

[Deleted]

Of course it is not covered by insurance but around here most dentist offices offer sedation dentistry. They say you are awake the entire procedure but you will have no memory of it. You also are ok to drive after.

[twodogsandababy]

I generally take half an Ativan before going to the dentist, even though I have never gone for anything more than a cleaning. A filling would definitely require at least a full Ativan and possibly more for after. I'm sorry you had that experience.

[caramia17]

Nov 1, 2012 15:52:53 GMT -5 vigurl said:

Of course it is not covered by insurance but around here most dentist offices offer sedation dentistry. They say you are awake the entire procedure but you will have no memory of it. You also are ok to drive after.

Unless they are using an inhalation agent (like nitrous oxide), I don't think that most dentists would knowingly let you drive after they have essentially been your bartender. In my state, an escort has to stay in the office whether the patient is being sedated with oral or IV meds and we have to wheel them to their car and give post-op instructions to the patient and escort. There are criteria for release and monitoring criteria during the procedure. Patients are conscious, but not necessarily awake. Because you don't remember anything (amnesia), you may be confused or disoriented afterwards. The meds are similar to those they give you when you have a colonoscopy. This is not something to mess around with driving afterwards. You may feel fine, but you are impaired and the amnesia may last for a while after you do not feel like you are groggy.

OP, I am sorry that you had a bad experience. There are definitely things that the dentist can do to make you as comfortable as possible. I would recommend being upfront about your anxiety and asking them for help. They do have to keep the site where they are doing a filling dry (thus the cotton), but some areas of the mouth may be better than others as far as gagging you. I am sure that they will work with you as far as anxiety goes. That's rough! Hugs!