Dental phobia, need to face it

Pinch Flat

I have not been near a dentist in years. I have what I would consider awful teeth - crooked (I had a brace as a youngster) - but I have looked after them (brush twice a day, floss, avoid too much sugary foods / drinks). My debtal phobia developed as a child - too many bad experiences at the hands of the South Eastern Health board dentists! My own family also wouldn't be great - follow up dental where it had to be paid for never happended.

I have taken the "if it aint broke don't fix it" approach to my teeth. I'm extremely conscious of them - to the extent I will not show them in photos or when smiling. I'd love to have them sorted, but it's an expensive an long term thing. As I've gotten older Mid-40s now so perhaps it'll just remain as is. My family mention them as do my wife - ironically, my father in law is a retired dentist!

A small cavity developed between my upper 2nd & 3rd molar. At the time I noticed it, I was on Rivoroxoban - a blood thinner. I had a Pulmonary Embolism which coincided with recent surgery (varicose vein removal) and was hospitalized last September. So between that and all the stress and prodding and poking by doctors, I had a enough.

Now I'm starting to get pain, and I realise this won't go away. The cavity is hopefully no too big - I'm hooping it can be filled. Getting me to a dentist is going to be a huge step, but this will just get worse if I don't get it sorted. I would also like a general check and what will probably be a long list of items to get sorted - not really interested in realignment, more getting any damage fixed. I'd space this out over a few months locally - not interested in travelling abroad.

I'm extremely nervous and have never had a a filling. Any recommendations for someone in central Dublin - working in Dublin 2 and live in Dublin 15, but happy to travel within reason if someone comes recommended. Not interested in any preaching, etc just getting he problem sorted.

witchgirl26

I don't know if I'm allowed recommend places here but I think the first step might be ringing a few places and seeing what they say when you mention you're a nervous patient. I know of a couple of places that have policies of how to deal with nervous patients to make the experience easier on them and, hopefully, encourage them to continue with dental work that is needed. Some of the bigger chain practices may be best at this.

As for being in your mid-40's and it having to remain, it doesn't. I have quite a few friends not much younger who've gotten braces etc done as they couldn't afford them as kids or other reasons. I think though sort the pain problem first and if you like the dentist, talk to them about the other areas.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Ghekko

I was you a few years ago - had the lovely experience of the western health board dentist and the braces which I would wear sporadically. I had to have a wisdom tooth taken out in early 90's and then didn't darken a dentists door for years. I remember going for a check up in 2004 and literally running out the door afterwards with the relief of getting away - I assume my prsi covered it as I didn't even stop to pay :- ) I got a bit braver as I got older and went for a clean - took 2 appointments as she said it would be too sore to do all at once. I couldn't believe the gap in my bottom teeth afterwards that was not there previously - the shame! Anyway while it was uncomfortable I have this mantra that any of these painful or uncomfortable things only take up a few minutes out of the rest of my life. I do tend to dig my nails into my palm to deflect any pain so would leave with a sore hand too. I had a couple of fillings replaced last year and it actually wasn't as bad as I imagined. I still hate the noise of the implements but physically it wasn't painful. A far cry from when I had the mercury ones put in all those years ago at school. My neighbour takes a tablet for her dental visits - I imagine it's Xanax or similar. When ringing around mention this and ask if it's an option. I had a check up this month and was grand. Have hygienist appt soon and I'm at a stage where I don't fret about it now. I just go in and think how I'll be out in no time.
I bring the kids in now and their experience is a dream compared to years ago. My own dentist has a tv on the ceiling so kids would focus on that. The HSE dentist is lovely too and while they don't particularly love going there certainly isn't the fear we had.
Take the bull by the horns. Ask friends for recommendations and ask their experiences. As for braces, there are a few types now and so many adults wear them.

I have severe dental phobia. I've had work done under conscious sedation, which may be an option for you. More recently, I've had to go under general, and get a load of work done at once. It's not cheap, but it's my only option. I see a specialist dentist in Lucan. Couldn't fault him in any way, even if I find him personally a bit annoying! I'll send you a PM now.

Pinch Flat

Looks like my hand is called to get this sorted. Was at a work thing last night, bit into a chicken wing thinking it was a gougon. Heard a crunch.

Cracked about a third of the molar off. Not in pain now, but trying to get an appointment for Saturday if the clinic in Lucan is open.

Ghekko

Must be a sign :- )
Good luck!

Alun

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Looks like my hand is called to get this sorted. Was at a work thing last night, bit into a chicken wing thinking it was a gougon. Heard a crunch.

Cracked about a third of the molar off. Not in pain now, but trying to get an appointment for Saturday if the clinic in Lucan is open.

Exactly the same happened to me about a year and a half ago. I hadn't been near a dentist for close to 40 years!

Luckily the dentist could repair the filling and she was astounded that I had no other significant problems apart from a good bit of plaque build up.

Anyway, I've had a couple of cleans and checkups since and I must say it's a world away from what I remember from the NHS dentists in the UK in the 60's / 70's Things have definitely moved on since then, although I still find it a pretty uncomfortable experience.

Pinch Flat

Okay so an update on my appointment today. I went with Castleknock Dental - they were excellent. Had a recommendation on here but he only works Fridays, couldn't get an appointment today.

So my first visit to the dentist in a long time. My left 2nd upper molar had cracked. There was decay there and she needed to remove this and do a temporary filling. looks like I need a root canal on that. I'm freaking out over that, but that's for another day. The tooth bedside it (wisdom) has some minor decay at the gum line, so this was filled as well.

All in all not too bad an experience. I was up from 5am with the nerves. The anesthetic is starting to wear off, so getting a dull pain in the tool. Nothing uncomfortable. Hopefully something that nurofen can treat - the dentist did recommend this.

Started with a dental exam. Took x-rays. there's other works I'll need to get done as well, happy enough now that I know what it's like. I'm surprise she didn't give me a good clean, but will see on the next appointment.

The procedure itself started with some numbing gel, then took 2 numbing injections. I didn't feel them. She gave me a 3rd shot during the procedure. Again it was more discomfort than pain I felt. The drilling seemed to take for ages - lots of water an a smell of it being drilled. You could feel the vibration but nothing uncomfortable. Zero pain.

Then she put what I presume was some sort of clamp or mould to build up the damaged molar. Took a few shots of the compound to build up the tooth. This was like a small squeezable tube thing, she'd build it up then zap it with ultraviolet light to let it set. This was done perhaps a half a dozen times. Sealed it off. Showed me the x-rays then of the damaged molar.

The root canal I'll think about, but happy enough to tick off the work that needs to be done over the next while - maybe get a procedure a month around pay day.

It's terrible that people build up these phobias. My experience of the public dentist was horrible and changed me for life. On the road to a healthier mouth now.....

Ghekko

Good for you for taking the plunge. Like you, I was delighted when I did and each visit was less daunting. If you have private health care hold onto receipts if your policy covers dental visits. Also for non routine dental work you can claim on med1 so if you have root canal you may be able to claim back 20%. Your yearly check up and hygienist visit are covered by prsi too. Ask about hygienist appointment at your next visit.

Pinch Flat

Ghekko wrote: »

Good for you for taking the plunge. Like you, I was delighted when I did and each visit was less daunting. If you have private health care hold onto receipts if your policy covers dental visits. Also for non routine dental work you can claim on med1 so if you have root canal you may be able to claim back 20%. Your yearly check up and hygienist visit are covered by prsi too. Ask about hygienist appointment at your next visit.

I feel relieved and silly all in one for not having this sorted before. Ah well.

errlloyd

I guess while this is on topic I'll chip in.

Same as the posters above. It's only been 10 years for me, but still way too long. Can anyone recommend by pm a dentist on the southside that deals with nervous young male patients who have kind of crap teeth!