Visit to the Dentists feeling proud

[annieb2013]

One of my biggest fears is the dentist visit and my worst nightmare is having to lie flat, so when he said “you need a root canal filling and new crown we will book you a 1 hour 55 minute appointment” I was dreading it,having aspergillosis and emphysema coughing is quite a problem but after working out various hand signals for stop and ok to carry on, I am now the proud owner of a nice white smile again.

[CDPO16]

Must be a great relief to you. I had root canal work last year and a crown fitted after. I had the same fear of having to lie flat during 3 lengthy sessions. On one visit the dentist agreed to leave the couch in a semi prone position which didn't impede him doing his work at all. On the next visit he had forgotten about that and put me flat again. I was glad when the whole thing was over as I did struggle at times in spite of the hand signal arrangement and I'm not sure that I'd go through it again if the need arose.

On another occasion when I asked the hygienist not to lie me flat she said 'I have to be able to work' to which I replied 'I have to be able to breathe'. I have had various investigations in various health departments over the years and found that the dentist and his hygienist to be the only people who seem not to understand how positioning can really impact on someone with lung disease. Due a check up next month; fingers crossed for a good outcome!

[peege in reply to CDPO16]

You'd think that with their extensive training they might be taught about a few different lung diseases that they're bound to come across in their work life - and it's not as though any treatment is free!

[CDPO16 in reply to peege]

My thoughts exactly.

[AKDellitt in reply to peege]

You can teach techniques, but not empathy. They are lacking empathy. If they really tried to put themselves in your shoes, they'd understand and make a concerted effort to alleviate your fear - which is a legitimate one.

[annieb2013 in reply to CDPO16]

That is so true there is a complete lack of understanding, I felt I had to apologise for not being able lie completely flat

[CDPO16 in reply to annieb2013]

Me too.

[skischool]

Yippee,Well done you,give us all a flash of your pearly whites next time you post annie. x

[powderpuff]

Well done for getting through that ordeal - admirable!

I have a life long crippling dental phobia which I’m quite ashamed to say I’ve never got on top of, consequently I have all treatment with sedation.

[hypercat54 in reply to powderpuff]

My father and 2 of my sisters have never got over their dental phobia and didn't go even with sedation so well done. They all ended up virtually toothless.

I too have a phobia but force myself to go and tend to put it off for too long. To me though anything is better than pain or no teeth even though I have lost half of mine now due to neglect. x

[powderpuff in reply to hypercat54]

It’s so irrational & I know it - fortunately (& astonishingly) my teeth aren’t so bad, it’s the rapidly receding gums helped along by thyroid disease. Personally, dentures these days are fantastic & I wouldn’t mind them at all. X

[hypercat54 in reply to powderpuff]

My sisters and I had a terrible dentist when we were kids and I am sure that's where our fears come from. x

[Hidden]

Two mountains climbed, well done!⛰⛰⭐⭐

[hypercat54]

Oh well done. I hate the dentist too and only had root canal treatment once in my 30's. It was awful. You are very brave and now you get the rewards of a lovely smile again. x

[Skatergirl1]

Oh my goodness.....the dentist is my worst nightmare.....I have to be put to sleep to have anything done!! Very brave of you ...(I would rather have an operation, than go to the dentist) xx

[AKDellitt]

Congratulations! It's a blessing two-fold. You faced a fear & was also rewarded with a lovely smile.

[Izb1]

Well done Annie, Im sure your smile looks wonderful now you have new pearly whites. Most people over the age of 50 have a fear due to the school dentist where they just drilled and filled with no novocaine. I know it left me with dread for years, which fortunatley I have overcome. Like you say the problems with lung disease makes things a whole lot worse. Now that you have conquered this you can make sure you keep your pearly whites alot longer x

[Aingeful]

Well done you!! My dentist puts the chair at a position where she can still work but I am not completely flat. I had to have a P.E.T. scan yesterday and had the same problem. They gave me a small pillow but it was difficult and was stressful to lie there for 30 mins. I feel as if I am going to choke!!