To go into debt for desperately needed dental treatment?

[HopefulAnnie]

Am terrified of the dentist, always have been - deathly afraid, as in - gripping the arm rest, shaking, crying, severe anxiety . Have had some horrific experiences with cold, unsympathetic dentists when I was a child which scarred me for life basically. I haven't been to a dentist in 4 years

Teeth were generally ok until last year,(warning: tmi) a small hole formed in my lower left molar, I ignored it and it has decayed and decayed until part of the tooth has actually broken off, it is extremely painful, extremely sensitive - I can barely eat because moving my jaw hurts.

I have found out about something called dental sedation, and I would really love to just be knocked out and wake up with my teeth fixed.

Problem is, the price is sky high for where I live (London) I've been told £250 per hour We can't afford that, but the only other alternative is suffering in extreme pain and possibly becoming a painkiller addict.

What can I do?

Please don't suggest going to a regular dentist, I can't, I really can't.

I know it's easy to say but you don't need to be so afraid now.

I was also terrified of dentists due to childhood experiences with a bastard one. I had not been to the dentist for nearly 15 years. Had an abscess recently and had to go.

It's all changed a lot. I went to an NHS dentist and I'm off again today for my fourth session and I'm actually feeling ok about it (from feeling sick, physically shaking, and having to be dragged in there by a friend for the first time).

They use a gel to numb your gum so you don't feel the injection. The injection works in a couple of minutes so no going to wait for 20 minutes before they can start. I can hand on heart say I haven't felt a thing and after 14 years as you can imagine I needed quite a lot done.

Sedation - I had that to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed at the same time years ago and you are completely off this planet and not aware of what is happening, and no pain.

Another (longer term) option would be to explore some trauma therapy for your early experiences - EMDR is the recognised treatment. Maybe worth speaking to your GP about it? Sorry you're in so much pain in the meantime

Could you get it from one of the dentistry schools? I had wisdom teeth out under a local but dh had them under GA

I'm so bad with dentists that if I was out shopping and saw mine in the street coming towards me, I would have to cross to the other side of the road to avoid him!

Just - whatever you do, make a fast appointment to start getting your teeth fixed. If you have that known problem, there are probably plenty others grumbling away and you just don't know about them. (And teeth don't improve with age.)

That sure is a lot of money. Like, a lot. But if I were you, I’d look for alternatives first. Maybe try another dentist who is friendlier and more understanding of a patient’s pain threshold? However, it could take a while and teeth problems are not to be ignored. If you think you could afford to pay the money you’ll borrow for the £250/hour rate, then go for it. Just a piece of advice, my brother underwent a root canal procedure last year in walkdendentalpractice.co.uk/dentist-manchester/. He said it went smoothly and