Dental Phobia

LegacyUser

Anyone here suffer from Dental Phobia (ie. being frigthened of dentists/dental due to previous bad experiences, fear of the unknown or lack of understanding).

Anyone know of any Irish dentists specialising in treating such patients?

And more generally, what (if any) dental treatment is covered for medical card holders?

Victor

Explain to your dentist that you suffer from a phobia and that you would be grateful if he explained things simply and took things slowly.

Some dentists have moved over to using ozone to treat cavities (the area is sterilised and the tooth regrows). I'm not sure if this is covered by medical cards though, it should be no more expensive than a filling.

Most simple check-ups and treatments (scaling, polishing, fillings, extractions, dentures) are covered by medical cards.

Kappar

Originally posted by Victor
Some dentists have moved over to using ozone to treat cavities (the area is sterilised and the tooth regrows). I'm not sure if this is covered by medical cards though, it should be no more expensive than a filling.

Sorry for dragging this backup but i've only seen it. Do most dentists do that now? if not do you know any that do it? Does it hurt cause i'm also quite afraid of the dentist

bug

I know what you mean. Last time I went to the dentist he told me to go somewhere else the next time-because I got so nervous I made him nervous.. depending on where you are I'd recommend him.

Big Chief

yeh i have a fear of dentists, its kinda a little bit better now (maybe due to the fact i havent been in a year except to get my crown sealed back in..) but none the less.

Explain to your dentist that you suffer from a phobia and that you would be grateful if he explained things simply and took things slowly.

that dosent work, tried and it was pretty much the same outcome apart from the brief second/minute after you tell her/him.

I never went to see anyone for my problem, personally i just had to 'grin & bear it', which to be honest was actually really difficult, sometimes i was making it into the waiting room and then doing the runner after sitting there listening to the 'sounds'. You get over it though i think, or atleast it gets partionally better from my experience (then again ive went through 2 root treatments, absess, and crowns etc from the dentist now so a casual filling just 'isnt what it used to be' in terms of effect.

So no i have no help but i can sympathise

First step is trying to do it alone, and i know how hard this is, but if you feel its bad enough that you have to see someone about it then its your call.

gl with it anyway

Mr E

Ask your friends what dentist they go to, and what they think about them.

I went to the same dentist for 2 years, and I DREADED going to him. He was a grumpy old man, and his nurse was completely miserable. I felt like I was going to a funeral or something.

Anyway, I spoke to a friend of mine who said that he really liked his dentist. So I decided to give him a go - he couldn't be any worse than the guy I was going to. Anyway, I'm glad I changed. My new dentist goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable... he smiles, cracks jokes, and really makes you feel at ease. His nurse was really nice too, and his equipment is state of the art (which helps!).

Bottom line - If you don't like your current dentist, ask around, and shop around. It'll make all the difference - it did for me, anyway.

- Dave.

Hellrazer

When it comes to dental phobia I have to be the worst in the world.
I cant even get my teeth cleaned by a dentist without losing it.Im ok now that Ive found a dentist near me who gives me 3 valium everytime I go.

Deadly stuff!!!!!!!Makes you forget all about it--He could be cutting my head off and I wouldnt feel it.Ive no problems going now.If you ring around different dentists and tell them that you are very nervous most of them will give you something to calm you down.

LegacyUser

Dr. T. A. Feeney
"Gentle Dental Care"

01 2789007

He's on the main street in Blackrock. Nicest Dentist ever.

Victor

Originally posted by Kappar
Sorry for dragging this backup but i've only seen it. Do most dentists do that now? if not do you know any that do it? Does it hurt cause i'm also quite afraid of the dentist

Only a few have it at the moment - it's a new technology. It shouldn't hurt as there is no drilling etc.

AL][EN

Yea im terrified of dentists!! have been nearly all my life, i get freaked out totally

its nothing personal god bless em i say they do a hell of a job

but had this one dentist when i was a kid didnt anethise me properly so have way through pulling a tooth it wore off and i nearly screamed the house down!! that and he nearly dropped my tooth back into my throat.

i know what your going to say thats a long time ago and it was a once off would never happen again situation. i'll conceade the fact that the dentist profession have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years but it still has me pretty shaken to this day,

as for your problem dont listen to me whittle on you have nothing to worry about dentists are great these days they know what there doing as from what i can gather what ever you need done should be fine

Paddy20

Dental Phobia,

Some think it is an irrational fear of the Dentist. I think it is an understandable fear that has become overwhelming.

Suggest,

1, Discuuss fear with your GP, always a good place to start.

2. Personally recommended dentists tend to be better.

3. If you are a medical card holder, obviously you are restricted your in choice of dentist. Get a list from your local Health Board, and while you are at it ask if they have a therapist for people with this phobia. Most Health Boards do, and they tend to be good.

P.

LegacyUser

Well at least many of you manage to actually go to the dentist and overcome your fear, something I have yet to do for a long time. And god, my teeth need fixing.

Big Chief

Originally posted by Unreged.
Well at least many of you manage to actually go to the dentist and overcome your fear, something I have yet to do for a long time. And god, my teeth need fixing.

took me years and years to actually be able to sit in that waiting room without doing a runner though, even now i still despise going, only reason i do is i think about the fact of 'being gumsy' by the time im 30, having no teeth and my mouth looking a mess

(which in all fairness, by the time i had built up the courage to do it, the only reason why was my teeth were starting to fall out at the time and were in emergency needs of repair work before i had to go through some serious pain, im only 20 and i realised i needed to start taking care of them)

its hard to get over and i know that, just have to bear with it im afraid, i still hate going and still get the urge to 'cancel' it or put it off, or just not turn up at all, think about the long term effects though, and that it will only last so long and will 'be over soon enough'

(note - i know thinking about these things dosent help as i went through what you are going through, but its hard to overcome it and only person that can do it is yourself)

best of luck anyway

Victor

I went to the dentist on Tuesday. And being in a near lying down position, was unable to clear my mouth of saliva. All I could think of was the word "drool" over and over in my head. I nearly started laughing. Which would have hurt.

littleninja

I too have a fear of dentists, I dunno it would go as a phobia but it all stemmed from one time when getting a filling four years ago, I was left waiting until the numbing injection they had injected into my gums was wearing off... I then had to go through feeling the drilling

I have since been back to the dentist only once (may this year) when I had to have a tooth removed, I was physically shaking in the chair when the dentist was performing the extraction, and almost passed out almost immediately after leaving the building, was in pain for a week afterwards as well

Paddy20

Warning. Some dentists are damn dangerous incompetent greedy idiots who should be reported for their blatant masochism!. Sorry, but its true!.

P.;)

Mr E

I agree, Paddy. Bad dentists should be reported, I think.

Littleninja, how long were you waiting for that filling after being injected? It sounds to me like you weren't given enough anaesthetic......

- Dave.

littleninja

dunno how long i was waiting there tbh, it seemed like far too long anyways, eventually they came out and brought me in and then ARGHHHHHHHHHHH ... the memories!!!

I'd say it was a break down of communication as well, they told me to go to the waiting room after they injected me and so i made my way down the stairs to the waiting room area, as I said, eventually they came down and brought me back up. If I had sat outside the room maybe it wouldn't have happened.

Oh yeah, before that I hadn't been to a dentist since the guy I Was supposed to go see died before my appointment (bearing in mind this was when I was like 10 years old), I think I Was too traumatised after that to go anywhere near dentists again - although obviously I was glad I didn't have to go to the dentist that day... maybe it was that I associated going to the dentist with pain and ppl dying in the end NOT the most pleasant things for a kid to be worryin about really

embee

Dentistry is the profession with the highest suicide rate.
I wonder why.............
Is it maybe cos people are all afraid of their dentists and consequently hate them?

Poor dentists - it must be quare lonely looking down ppls throats all day.........

Paddy20

embee,

Eh! Quote:- " Dentristry is the profession with the highest suicide rate " end quote. Where did you obtain that piece of information?..Please..

P.

AL][EN

Originally posted by embee
Dentistry is the profession with the highest suicide rate.

I though it was air traffic controller that had the highest suicide rate? in any case Embee it wouldnt be a bad thing if it was,

i still havent worked up the courage to go yet and i know for a FACT i really do need to get see to but there are so many poor dentists out there the worst part is this dentist i went to was "recomended" as being very good
turned out otherwise!!

littleninja

I've been putting off going to the dentist to get a couple of fillings for the past 4 months, I got a tooth extracted at the end of may and was supposed to go back to get a couple of fillings and oh so "unfortunately" moved to Dublin before I could arrange another appointment with the dentist. Dreading the time when I will actually not have a choice but go get something done with my teeth, maybe I should just bry my head in the sand a little bit longer

jonny68

Unfortunately im probably worse than you my friend,my fear of dentists is shocking..I HAVE NEVER BEEN in my entire life,and i am in my 30`s :eek: my girlfriend has been at me to go,her teeth are perfect whereas mine are in bits,i used to eat a lot of sweets,etc,etc and unfortunately i smoke,all my back teeth are rotten,and my front teeth are a bit stained,my fear stretches back to when i was a child,you used to hear these "horror stories" about dentists,and watching films like the Marathon Man doesnt help either so there you have it,my girlfriend is right though..at this stage in my life i really do need to take the plunge and just go,unfortunately theres not much i can probably afford to get done as im on a normal wage and by all accounts the work id need to get done on my teeth would probably cost thousands,so im sort of at a loss..has anybody and advice or tips they could give me here?cheers...

Hellrazer wrote:

When it comes to dental phobia I have to be the worst in the world.
I cant even get my teeth cleaned by a dentist without losing it.Im ok now that Ive found a dentist near me who gives me 3 valium everytime I go.

Deadly stuff!!!!!!!Makes you forget all about it--He could be cutting my head off and I wouldnt feel it.Ive no problems going now.If you ring around different dentists and tell them that you are very nervous most of them will give you something to calm you down.

CathyMoran

I am petrified of dentists too - I had an impacted wisdom tooth for 7 years before I finally did something about it. My solution was to find a dentist who was a family friend and have someone in the next room while I got it done.

Aava

Just keep trying different dentists. That's what I've done, and in my experience some will be grumpy and not take any notice of the pain they're inflicting... others with be nice and gentle.

Johnny Jukebox

And I thought I was the only one...

I'm 40 and stopped going to the dentist at 20 after several bad experiences. Over the last 20 years I've suffered through severe pain, abcesses, rotting teeth, bad breath and ended up in A&E several times for morphine shots when the pain became really unbearable. I tried several dentists but they all seemed oblivous and unsympathetic to my concerns and I never got past go with any of them - though I did have some bizarre experiences in various surgeries, culminating in me running down South Circular Road with a dental apron still tied around my neck. In summary, I was terrified into irrationality.

The good news is I've finally found a dentist in the last month whom I feel safe, confident and comfortable with. Its a huge weight off my mind and while I've lots of work to do on my teeth, the situation is redeemable. So here's my guide to dental success for the terrified;

* There's good plumbers and bad plumbers. Research hard for your good plumber. Personal recommendations are the best. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to talk to people about your phobia, its much more common that you realise.

* Your good dentist should be relatively young so that they have the benefit of training in new technologies and patient care. Ask them upfront on the their approach to handling anxiety.

* I prefer women dentists (I'm a man). Women are kinder, in general.

* Ask the dentist to explain in detail, in plain english and in precise steps your problems and their approach to solving them. If they won't, walk out.

* Get one thing done at a time. One filling, one cleaning, one extraction. You may chose to get more done as your comfort level rises but its your choice. If the dentists disagrees, walk out.

* Rationalise it to yourself constantly - you've only one set of teeth. Good teeth are a great confidence boost. Your fear can be overcome.

* Finally, don't be afraid to walk. If you're not happy with anything, get up and walk out. Its a market economy, you're the customer, its your choice. Its also your money, whether directly or through PRSI.

There's nothing worse than a bad dentist, but there's nothing better than a good dentist.

If I can do it, anyone can. Because I was a bad case, believe me.

pickarooney

I can't stand the condescending dentists and receptionists who tut-tut and ask you why you haven't been there in over a year and refuse to treat you because you're not a regular. I also hate the wait between making the appointment and the visit more than the visit itself.

The best thing I find is to go immediately that you know something is wrong (or go for regular checkups when there's nothing wrong, that way you won't automatically associate the visits with pain and torture) and get it over with before you have time to let the panic set in. Sure, it's often painful but it doesn't last that long compared to the agony of the wait.

fmul9798

I've had a phobia about dentists since orthodontic treatment in my late teens. The dentist involved was both insensitive, and his nurse was particularly unpleasant. Since then I haven't been, except to get an extraction about 8 years ago (at which time I was told I needed several fillings). Strangely enough the extraction was required due to a botched filling on the same tooth by another dentist years earlier...

They're in pretty bad shape now (although not red rotten or anything like that, but gums aren't great, have receded a bit, but I've used corsodyl etc. to treat that pretty well - the around the gum/teeth in many cases needs fillings or something ).

I really need to go (funnily enough I had a dream that I did go just this week) but what I'm dreading is the dentist going nuts or saying "oh my God they're all going to fall out" or "theres very little i can do" or going "tut tut" etc. - you know the type - I have been to several dentists like that over the years where rather than putting you at ease, they like to give out about your poor oral hygiene and make you leave feeling like a schoolkid who didn't do his homework and just got lambasted in front of the other kids...

I know I need lots of work done, I want to get loads of white fillings etc., but how do I approach it and be sure that the dentist wont start preaching/talking down etc? - what I want is an understanding one who knows the story, and will just go ahead and do the work. Not one that says - "oh no they're invery very bad shape" (like I don't know that already...). I need one with a positive outlook who will come up with a treatment plan. To be honest, I would have no problem in spending an entire day there to get as much as possible done - I can take the pain, I just can't take the thought of someone "looking down on me" with that "tut tut" attitude.

Advice from those that have been in the same situation would be much appreciated.

Ardent

Johnny Jukebox wrote:

And I thought I was the only one...

I'm 40 and stopped going to the dentist at 20 after several bad experiences. Over the last 20 years I've suffered through severe pain, abcesses, rotting teeth, bad breath and ended up in A&E several times for morphine shots when the pain became really unbearable. I tried several dentists but they all seemed oblivous and unsympathetic to my concerns and I never got past go with any of them - though I did have some bizarre experiences in various surgeries, culminating in me running down South Circular Road with a dental apron still tied around my neck. In summary, I was terrified into irrationality.

The good news is I've finally found a dentist in the last month whom I feel safe, confident and comfortable with. Its a huge weight off my mind and while I've lots of work to do on my teeth, the situation is redeemable. So here's my guide to dental success for the terrified;

* There's good plumbers and bad plumbers. Research hard for your good plumber. Personal recommendations are the best. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to talk to people about your phobia, its much more common that you realise.

* Your good dentist should be relatively young so that they have the benefit of training in new technologies and patient care. Ask them upfront on the their approach to handling anxiety.

* I prefer women dentists (I'm a man). Women are kinder, in general.

* Ask the dentist to explain in detail, in plain english and in precise steps your problems and their approach to solving them. If they won't, walk out.

* Get one thing done at a time. One filling, one cleaning, one extraction. You may chose to get more done as your comfort level rises but its your choice. If the dentists disagrees, walk out.

* Rationalise it to yourself constantly - you've only one set of teeth. Good teeth are a great confidence boost. Your fear can be overcome.

* Finally, don't be afraid to walk. If you're not happy with anything, get up and walk out. Its a market economy, you're the customer, its your choice. Its also your money, whether directly or through PRSI.

There's nothing worse than a bad dentist, but there's nothing better than a good dentist.

If I can do it, anyone can. Because I was a bad case, believe me.

Good post.

I agree with you about female dentists being gentler. I didn't go to a dentist for years - deep seated fear from childhood I guess. Eventually, I had to go - my teeth were getting pretty bad - and I was lucky to find a practice near where I work where the dentist and hygienest are simply super to their patients (both are female btw). They talk to you, let you know what's going on, ask you how you're coping and generally put you at ease. Now, I don't mind going to get my teeth done, in fact I go every three months to keep my teeth tip-top!

I think the field of dentistry in Ireland has changed a lot over the last couple of decades. The old-school brutes who practiced their art years ago have moved on and the newer/younger dentists working today are more schooled and aware than their older countreparts.

Ardent

fmul9798 wrote:

I know I need lots of work done, I want to get loads of white fillings etc., but how do I approach it and be sure that the dentist wont start preaching/talking down etc? - what I want is an understanding one who knows the story, and will just go ahead and do the work. Not one that says - "oh no they're invery very bad shape" (like I don't know that already...). I need one with a positive outlook who will come up with a treatment plan. To be honest, I would have no problem in spending an entire day there to get as much as possible done - I can take the pain, I just can't take the thought of someone "looking down on me" with that "tut tut" attitude.

Advice from those that have been in the same situation would be much appreciated.

When I went to get my teeth done after many years in the wilderness, so to speak, I needed quite a few fillings and my gums had receded somewhat in certain places. I obviously got the tut-tut treatment but, to be honest, you have to expect that. The whole process of gingivitis (sp?) was explained to me and I was told what I needed to do to prevent further gum recession. At the end of the day, whether you like it or not, you need to be told these things.

I don't want to make it sound like I got a huge lecture, because I didn't. I was simply made aware of what was going on and what I needed to do. That's the very least any self-respecting dentist should inform you of. You have to expect that and it should certainly not put you off going.

Kêrmêttê

I had a lot of work done to my teeth between the ages of 11-18.

I had an impacted tooth on the bottom removed. It was growing sideways, under my front teeth, inside the gum and would have eventually knocked out all the bottom front teeth from the roots. That was an horrific operation tbh. I ended up with a black and blue bruised, swollen face with about 12 stitches along my bottom gum and resembled a chipmunk for best part of 2 weeks.

I also had 3 other teeth removed to make room for my wisdom teeth. Those damn wisdom teeth started to show at the age of 21 and one of them still hasn't emerged properly and I'm 30 now!! Damn fcukers! That's not the dentist's fault though. I appear to have a lazy wisdom tooth!

I needed to wear various different braces over a period of 7 years aswell.

I was always treated well by the dental surgeons and orthadontists and never had any bad experiences with them, but, still to this day I can't bring myself to make an appointment for a check up, unless I find that there's something wrong.
For example, I found a huge gaping hole in one of my molars about 9 years ago... so I went to the dentist to have it filled.
8 years later, ie. last year, I experienced the same thing. Another gigantic hole in a tooth... so I go back to the dentist to have this fixed too. He gave me the usual lecture about leaving it too long between visits, but he was amazed that I only needed one minor filling after so long.

TBH, I'm very particular about my teeth. I always brush them at least twice a day, but usually it's about 4 times a day, ie. after every meal. I always use dental floss too. That stuff is brilliant. You'd be amazed at how much crap gets stuck between your teeth and sits there rotting away.

I think it's much easier to move dentists than it is to move from Doctors.
If you're not happy with your own dentist ask around your mates for one that's sympathetic to nervous patients.

jonny68

Having never been to the dentists ever i can only imagine the shock the dentist would get on seeing my rotten teeth :eek: i am gonan have to take the plungs and go,is there no way that it can be done on the cheap,on my wages i can barely survive as it is never mind forking out thousands for dental care....

Ardent

jonny68 wrote:

Having never been to the dentists ever i can only imagine the shock the dentist would get on seeing my rotten teeth :eek: i am gonan have to take the plungs and go,is there no way that it can be done on the cheap,on my wages i can barely survive as it is never mind forking out thousands for dental care....

You can get dental benefit through PRSI. Reduces the cost a bit.

Guvnor

Unreged wrote:

Anyone here suffer from Dental Phobia (ie. being frigthened of dentists/dental due to previous bad experiences, fear of the unknown or lack of understanding).

Anyone know of any Irish dentists specialising in treating such patients?

And more generally, what (if any) dental treatment is covered for medical card holders?

I like to tell myself that I am shiot scared of the dentist. So much so that when I went back to him on the 11th of October it was over 5 years since my last visit! I knew I had to get a filling - went in first thing on a monday morning. Had the inspection and he had to clean the old teeth and as I had not been flossing it was a lot of scraping going on - it's like finger nails on the blackboard sounds worse than it is. Injection - mild discomfort but once it's in what are you going to do? Just sit back and relax cause after the injection it's all so easy.

Most painful part is the bill! My dentist is excellent and a really nice bloke to boot.

rainbow kirby

Sounds familiar. Haven't been to a dentist in 7 years and I'm scared to go to one!

seamus

I had a lot of orthodontic work when I was younger, so the dentist doesn't bother me much, but anything in the teeth/mouth area that looks remotely painful makes me cringe.

I find thinking about what they're doing much worse then them actually doing it.

Although having teeth pulled is about the most traumatic thing you can go through, and it's only briefly awful. You can feel your teeth moving around through your skull, and it feels like he's pulling that tooth and all of the ones around it. *shudder*

elivsvonchiaing

embee wrote:

Dentistry is the profession with the highest suicide rate.
I wonder why.............
Is it maybe cos people are all afraid of their dentists and consequently hate them?

Poor dentists - it must be quare lonely looking down ppls throats all day.........

Jesus that makes me feel guilty... Whenever I'm in a dentist's chair and feeling uncomfortable I try to make eye contact while thinking - "you sadistic bastard/bitch - enjoying this huh?"

'Course it could be remnants of McDonalds's food found in teeth that explains the phenomenon :eek: It wasn't me! :eek:

flyinfishmonkey

I have the perfect respect of my dentist.. When i go in and lie back he puts his drill in my mouth and I cup my hand around his balls and say,"We're not going to hurt each other, are we"?

No, but seriously, I have not been to the dentist in 3 years and back then I had to have a tooth out and boy it hurt. Even with the anaesthetic.. As I type this I am in agony with tootheache and I reckon its an abscess so I will have to get an antibiotic before I have the tooth worked on. Its a shame really cos all it takes is care to look after them and they will last you a lifetime. I hate dentists too, but over the years I have to say I had two that probably were better than most. Its just a pain threshold thing I think. I asked my dentist last time I was with him, if I could have the broken tooth (which is still in my mouth btw) taken out under General Anaesthetic and he gave me the number and a letter for an Orthaedontic Surgeon in Beaumont so it can be done if you don't have the bottle for a big job while you're awake. Have to go now after I get thsi abscess sorted out so I will keep you posted if you want.

TattyTeddy

embee wrote:

Dentistry is the profession with the highest suicide rate.
I wonder why.............
Is it maybe cos people are all afraid of their dentists and consequently hate them?

Poor dentists - it must be quare lonely looking down ppls throats all day.........

Must correct you there............ Dentistry has the SECOND highest suicide rate, farmers have the first and im NOT kidding! Got told in psychology class and I nearly died laughing!

TattyTeddy

Wow...... I think it's mad that I came accross this thread! I have such a huge fear of going to the dentist. I recently had very painful surgery and would gladly have it again rather than have an injection in my mouth. It probably sounds so silly and irrational to have a fear of the needle. When I was younger, I have a terrible dentist who gave me and injection on my gum below my nose and **** it was painful. I was given braces at 14 but threw them away after two days. Now, at 20, I've decided to get train tracks so I went to the orthadontist last week. She told me I had to go to a dentist to get work done and she recommended one......... so I went to him . Now wait for this, he told me I needed TWENTY fillings. How, I ask you, is this possible? I'm not bad at brushuing my teeth, miss sometimes at night but never miss the morning. I'm so so dreading it. I used to go to a fancy dentist who knocked me out (to sleep) for all my fillings but it turns out that they cant do fillings properly that was so now i've to go and get them all redone! Please, please give me some tips. I've to go on firday for a filling and I've never been so nervous

littleninja

After reading back over this thread there are tears of pure and utter terror standing in my eyes, even the thoughts of any of my FRIENDS having to go to the dentists horrifies me beyond belief.

I still haven't been back to the dentist since the extraction I posted about earlier, I can still hear the sickening crunch as they were trying to remove that stubborn biatch of a tooth....

I am currently trying to fool myself into thinking that one of my back teeth is fine and that I don't have to go to the dentist, but the truth is it SO has to come out, and yet I can't bring myself to actually make an appointment.

Spalk0

Likewise mate!....thew thought of going to a dentist sends a shiver down my spine!
Last time i went was years ago and i have good reason to be terrified of them!Went to get a tooth removed and the dentist gave me an injection into my gum to numb it up!Anyways, i was sent to sit outside to wait for it to take effect only the dentist left me outside too long and it was nearly worn off by the time he brought me back in to take the tooth out!I tried telling him numerous times that it had worn off but all he said to me is "you'll be fine!" and he proceed to take the tooth out which gave me excrutiating pain!......I swear if i wasnt 11 or 12 years old at the time i would have decked him!Ignorant twat!told him it had worn off!He then had the nerve to say while he was breaking it out that "it cant be that bad" :rolleyes:

Since then i have vowed to clean my teeth as much as i could so i would never have to visit one again!.....so far so good!

elivsvonchiaing

Reading this thread has actually given me an insight into why I hate dentists - last visit Jan-2000 :eek: My parents sent me to an orthodontist when I was 10 or 11 - I lasted about 3 months with the brace - I guess puberty started to kick in... so it went no further... as I rebelled. But it was also about the constant pain and pickin' bits of food out of the thing... I really don't want anyone messing in my mouth even if I have the jawline of Steve Buscemi!

I see a bionic jaw prefitted with teeth as the best option - 30-40 years from now. And fitted while I'm in some kinda anaesthetic coma... Come to think of it for as long as it takes to heal with contant muscle stimulation while I lie there... doing nothing ... feeling no pain.

You've probably guessed I'm a coward - more so with my teeth than anything else though!

:eek: Bionic - I can't believe I said that - I'm old okay! :eek:

Rockiemalt

I used to get brought to the dentist when my big bro and sis went and they both almsot always faint and stuff when they are there.. even now and my sis is 30!

last time i went the dentist was sitting there chatting to the nurse about his trip to spain to see some golf thing or soemthing that weekend and i was in the process of trying to tell him that ouch that was hurting but he wasn't paying any attetnion...i realy hate dentists and am VERY cared of them...