How do you get through a long dentist appointment?

[IKnowAPlace]

Two fillings and an extraction, so I'll be in that chair for a while!

I have a relaxation technique in my head but otherwise, I'll just be sat there. I'm a pretty nervous patient but I know I need the work done and will feel better afterwards.

Google is saying to bring ear buds and listen to something or play word games in my head.

What have you done??

How long is it actually going to take?
I’ve had long appointments for root canal and a long appointment for an implant post being fitted. I didn’t do anything tbh. I just close my eyes and listen to the music or the chatter/instructions of the dentist and nurse and I hate the dentist. I’d rather go to the gynaecologist than dentist, and that’s bloody awful too!
Hopefully it will pass quickly and won’t be as bad as you fear. Marconi union weightless is a piece of music designed to calm and ease anxiety. It actually slows heart rate and reduces anxiety by iirc 60%. Maybe download that and play it, I think there is an extended version of around 30 mins. Good luck 🤞🏻

Pray! 🙏

Valium

They've said it could be 1.5 hours @ThrivingOutOfSpite

Ask your GP in advance for a mild sedative., which you take an hour or so before. Audio books are good.

I just came out after 50 minutes in the chair. They put the radio on and told me to just shut my eyes and try to go somewhere else in my mind. It would've worked if I didn't keep needing to swallow

I sing Bo Rap in my head, have to restart if I make a mistake. I think that's about 5 minutes long all through so count off the time passing like that. If I get bored of that, there'll be other songs to go through!

Would make sure they let you sit up every half hour. Less chance of a post appointment headache from hell.

I loathe being at the dentist and unfortunately had to spend a load of time there recently... I take a stress ball and focus on squishing that. I also ask the dentist to explain exactly what they are doing which I find reassuring.

This probably sounds weird but I concentrate on the feel of the dentists hands around my mouth. I find this takes my mind off what is going on inside my mouth.
I promise I'm not a perve.
And I tell myself that the time will pass and visualise myself walking out of the surgery.

Thankfully I've not had that long in a dentist chair.

When I go to the dentist/ hygienist I lie back, close my eyes and focus on my breath. Ie I go into yoga/meditation mode for the duration

Diazepam. I don’t need it anymore for most dental things, but I would for a long appointment or anything involving extraction.

I'm starting to think I should have contacted by GP!

I'll see how tomorrow goes as I have a few more appointments to go.

Thank you for all the great ideas!

When I had a root canal done years ago, the dentist actually asked me if there was a subject I'd like him to chat about during the procedure. I was a bit thrown but as the walls were covered in framed film posters I said "films?". So 2.5 hours of awkward film chat between him and the nurse ensued, with me "uhgging" and "aahing" when asked if I'd seen such and such film or liked such and such actor.

When we'd finished he said he'd never had films suggested before. I said I thought, given all the film posters, it was an interest of his. "Oh" he said "this isn't actually my room".

I've had appointments for up to an hour. I just listen to the music in the dentist's room - but I do make sure that I stop them regularly, sit up and swallow. And my dentists know I need this. I think if you are nervous at all, you need to be very clear with the dentist before they start work on you . They may be able to do the work over two appointments if that would be more comfortable for you.

This.
Dentist prescribes it in advance.

Daydream.

I had 4 x 2hr root canal sessions over 6 weeks. Only had 2 canals but very very complex 😳

I listened to piano music from the BBC sounds app. Loud headphones with one ear peaked so I could hear the dentist.

I had to put a pillow under my neck due to chronic pain.

So largely focused on the music, played with a fidgety thing in my hand. Set up a good symbol system for when you need a break.

If it helps you can get lots of details from the dentist as they go, or none at all. Just do what's right for you and tell the dentist what's best for you. I don't want to know anything unless my life is in danger. But tell me when you think we're 3/4 done 😻

Get soup and soft dippy bread for the next few meals.

I also took a small amount of diazepan, more as a muscle relaxant (chronic jaw pain).

Good luck!

I had loads for invisalign, eventually I could just zone out as soon as the dentist got going. I'd picture a beach for a minute and then let my mind drift.

I had a two 2 hour appointments recently. One more to go. All on the same tooth. Very difficult root canal. It's actually not that bad, the dentist and nurse chatted while doing it and I just listened to music.

I've had quite a few appointments which last more than an hour for root canals and for an implant.
My dentist is a real talker, he chats to me and the dental nurse, obviously I can't reply but he talks so that a reply isn't really necessary, time flies. At quiet moments when he's really concentrating I imagine myself in a beautiful place eg a beach with blue sea and mentally transport myself there.

my last dental (replacement fillings on 3 very very old and deep fillings) were done under a small dose of rispiradone prescribed by the dentist taken moments before my appointment. fab experience, extremely little recollection some of the drive to the appointment (yes i had a driver), and maybe being led to the chair, next thing i knew i was in the truck going home, tucked in bed and slept several hours. awoke zero discomfort and all the fillings very well done!

Oh, I like the idea of them talking!

My new dentist is lovely - I cried the first time I went in and we've discussed my nerves. As I said in my first post, I just keep focusing on the result now to get over the fear.

Do root canals really take two hours?

I fell asleep during a 1.5 hour root canal treatment 😳. My dentist said it happens often, but he is such a nice person that he may have just been trying to make me feel less embarrassed!

Yes they do 😖