For anyone who remembers my terrified of the dentist thread...

[OchAyeballsintheSky]

I hadn't been for 20 years. I had everything wrong with my teeth, I didn't think there was a sound tooth in my head and was pricing up dentures. I was terrified of the dentist, paralysed with fear at the thought, I would rather have given birth to a giant porcupine without drugs than go to the dentist.

Today, after a three hour visit under sedation I have been given the all clear. Nothing is wrong with my teeth at all. Several extractions, three fillings and a major clean and I now have healthy teeth! I know this is a long boring post but I honestly didn't think I would ever hear a dentist say that to me. I can choose to have some cosmetic work, which I will but it's not necessary

So anyone who is terrified of going, please go. It really isn't as bad as you think and if I can, seriously, anyone can

good for you
good for sedation

do you have ot akds for sedation? will they do it for any old work? or do you have to have alot needed to be done?

ask, not adsk!

Well done!

By the way, my dentist explained that there is a rational reason why a lot of people start to feel afraid while being treated.

Local anaesthetic includes adrenalin (something to do with keeping it local). What does adrenalin do...makes your heart go pitty-pat, priming the flight or fight response. Having told me this, I observed the effect calmly - yes, although I'm not in the least afraid of dentists the jab does induce some of the symptoms of fear. Knowing this of course, removes being actually afraid of it.

They did it for me because I was so nervous, I couldn't even open my mouth. I would imagine you can ask because I think it's a pretty serious procedure more like a general anaesthetic than I realised. Had it at 8am today and have only just really come round.