Sedation Dentist Archives

Dental Work When You’re Novocain Resistant

Posted on July 20, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have a lot of dental problems because I have a high resistance to Novocain. As a result, my appointments have been complete agony. I tend to have to build up the courage to get to the dentist. At this point, I think I need at least three teeth extracted. Is there a way I can have this done with anesthesia? I do not think I have enough courage in me to deal with three tooth extractions.

Jenna

Dear Jenna,

I am glad you wrote. I am confident I have a solution for what you are going through. Many dentists do not (yet) realize there is a connection between dental anxiety and the ability to get and stay numb at the dentist. As your anxiety goes up, so does your metabolism. This has the effect of burning off your numbing medication even faster.

My suggestion is that you see a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication which will completely relax you. There are generally three levels of sedation— nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. You can read about the difference on our sedation dentist page. For most dental appointments I would suggest nitrous oxide. This is the lightest form and allows you to get on with your day as normal immediately after your procedure is done.

However, because you are going to have several tooth extractions, I am going to recommend something a bit stronger for that particular procedure. Oral conscious sedation would be a better strength. Its strength means that you be so relaxed you could nap through the entire procedure. In fact, some patients call it sleep dentistry. The one downside to its strength is that you will be a bit loopy. As a result, you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment as well as monitor you for a few hours after you leave.

Replacing Those Teeth

It will be important that you replace the teeth which are being extracted. If you don’t, the other teeth will tip or shift into the open space. Not only will this throw off your bite, but it could very well lead to painful TMJ Disorder. At the very least, aside from the difficulty in eating, you will have regular headaches.

The best tooth replacement would be to get dental implants. These are the closest to having your healthy, natural teeth again. You’ll be able to eat anything you want and they are permanently placed into your jaw which will prevent any bone loss.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Why Doesn’t Novocain Work for Me?

Posted on June 5, 2024 by writeradmin.

I am in a pickle. I think there is something going on with my body that does not allow Novocain to work for me. It is not a low tolerance for pain. I have had over 13 surgeries. I stopped counting after that. My wife just adds them to the list and I hand the list to the nurse anytime I have to fill out paperwork at the doctor’s office. Whatever it is, though, has given me a lifetime of horrific dental appointments. I’m fastidious with my oral health care at home because I am trying to avoid an appointment for a problem at all costs. I just plain cannot get numb from those Novocain shots. Sometimes they’ll give me up to ten before they give up. Do you know what is going on?

Stan

Dear Stan,

I am very glad you wrote. I think I know exactly what is going on here. It probably originated years ago and you didn’t even realize what would result. There is a significant connection between dental anxiety and the ability to get numb for dental procedures. Once you have one traumatic appointment, it becomes harder to get numb. This is because your adrenaline is running high, which then burns off the numbing medication before it has a chance to really take effect.

The key is to relax you before you have any Novocain or other numbing medication? What type of dark arts would that take, you may wonder? I would like to suggest that you have your work done by a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication that will completely relax you. Then, when you are given your numbing medication, it is completely effective.

Though most dentists only offer one or two levels of dental sedation, Dr. Arnold offers all three: Nitrous Oxide, Oral Conscious Sedation, and IV Sedation. Though, even the most fearful patients usually do just fine with one of the first two levels.

The general recommendation is that you use the lowest level of sedation that is effective for your particular needs. This is because the higher the level of sedation, the more disruptive it is to your life. For example, if you are using the lowest level of nitrous oxide, you are completely back to normal and lucid by the end of your appointment. This is because they switch you from nitrous oxide gas to oxygen when the procedure is done and you are good to go on with your day. With the next level of sedation, it is so strong that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment because you will not be lucid enough to do so on your own.

Use the level that suits your needs best. It is better to have to need a driver and have the level of sedation you need. What you will get when you do this is an anxiety free and pain free dental appointment. You’ll feel good about going to the dentist and will no longer wait until there is a dental emergency.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Cosmetic Dentist Wants to Restore All My Teeth

Posted on March 29, 2024 by writeradmin.

I am going to say upfront that I am a very nervous dental patient, so that is probably factoring into my hesitancy here. I went to see a cosmetic dentist about improving the look of my smile. He wants to put crowns on all my teeth. Most of these teeth have nothing wrong with them, so I am uncomfortable with the idea of grinding them down. On the plus side, he does put a three year guarantee on his work. I’m supposed to see the wax mock up in a few days but I’m becoming more anxious abut the whole treatment plan the closer we get. Do you think I am panicking over nothing?

Christine

Dear Christine,

A tooth being prepared for porcelain veneers

Teeth being prepared for porcelain veneers.

This is an awfully aggressive treatment for someone who just wants to improve the appearance of their smile. Maybe there is something you haven’t mentioned that is significant, such as having been diagnosed with TMJ Disorder. Without something serious such as that, I would not agree to this treatment. Crowning every tooth is known as a full-mouth reconstruction. This is one of the most advanced procedures in dentistry. It takes a lot of post-doctoral training to do this right. When it is done wrong, it can cause serious problems that can leave you in pain for the rest of your life.

Typically, if you are wanting a smile makeover, the standard procedure is to get porcelain veneers. This will not grind down your teeth, the way preparation for a dental crown will. Often, dentists who do not have a lot of cosmetic training will prefer dental crowns because this is one of the first things taught in dental school. Unfortunately, the only thing taught is the mechanics, not the skill and artistry required to create a beautiful result. I want you to look for an AACD accredited dentist to do your smile makeover. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country and will have the skill and artistry to create a stunning smile for you.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

You are not alone in your nervousness about going to the dentist. What I don’t want is for you to spend your life that way. I am going to suggest that you, in addition to see an accredited dentist, make sure they are a sedation dentist. If you have a pretty easy procedure, then you can relax with just some nitrous oxide. If you have a procedure that even the idea of it scares you, then what you would want is oral conscious sedation. This is administered by a pill but is incredibly strong. You will need to have a driver to get you to the dentist and back. They’ll also need to stay with you because you will not be as steady on your feet for a few hours.

That being said, it will be the most relaxing dental appointment you have ever had. In fact, many patients who use oral conscious sedation simply sleep through their appointment.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Want a Pretty Smile But Can’t Tolerate Dental Work

Posted on December 5, 2023 by writeradmin.

I am embarrassed by my smile, but have an extremely hard time with dental work. Each appointment is a nightmare. Though I am not allergic to Novocain (I know this because I got tested to check) it just doesn’t work for me. I have yet to meet a dentist who can get me numb. This has made getting the work I need done impossible for me. I’m thinking my only option is to just go ahead and remove all my teeth and then get a fake smile with dental implants. My question is can I do that with anesthesia?

Patti

Dear Patti,

I am very glad you wrote. I do not think you are going to have to do anything as drastic as remove all your teeth and replace them with dental implants. I’m pretty sure I can save not only your teeth, but also your bank account. There is a biological reason why Novocain has not been working for you AND there is a solution.

Many dentists do not realize that when someone has dental anxiety, which you are bound to have after all those horrifying appointments, it has the effect of burning off the numbing medication before it has ample opportunity to work. This is why your dentists have had difficulty geeting you numb.

The solution for this is to see a sedation dentist. If you use something like oral conscious sedation, then you will be completely relaxed for your procedure. This will enable your numbing medication to do its job. You will be so relaxed, that you are likely to sleep through your appointment. Some people even call it sleep dentistry. This will enable you to get all that work done you have wanted to and hopefully save your teeth.

Once your teeth are healthy, there are a variety of cosmetic procedures that can help you improve the appearance of your smile. If you just want something simple, like teeth whitening, then any dentist can do it. However, if you’re wanting a complete smile makeover with something like porcelain veneers, that requires some expertise. If you are going to go that direction you will want an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and will create a gorgeous smile for you.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

How Much Dental Work Can Be Done in One Sitting?

Posted on June 11, 2023 by writeradmin.

I need a significant amount of dental work done and am finally in a position to do something about it. At last check, I needed three root canal treatments, several cavities filled, my teeth whitened, as well as some cosmetic work done about some chips and a snaggletooth. I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible. How much dental work can be done in one sitting? I am ready to get that beautiful smile I have always wanted but couldn’t afford.

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

I am glad that you are able to get the work you have always wanted done. How much you can have done in one setting will really depend on the dentist. Each dentist is different in the amount of work they are willing to do during an appointment. You will find that sedation dentists will be willing to do more at a time than other general dentists. This is especially true if you use oral conscious sedation. You are so relaxed with this type of sedation that you will sleep through the appointment. This makes it easier for you to tolerate more dental work at a time.

You’ll want to get the general work done before you start in on the cosmetic work. The exception to that would be the teeth whitening. If you are going to need dental crowns, you will want your teeth the color you want them before you have the crowns made. The whitening will not work on dental crowns, only natural tooth structure.

Be Careful Who Does Your Cosmetic Work

While teeth whitening can be done by just about any dentist, the work for the chips and the snaggletooth will require cosmetic expertise. When you do get those procedures done, you will want to see a dentist who has both technical skill and artistry. You will have the most success with a dentist who has been accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country. You can feel confident that any one of them can provide you with stunning results. You’ll have a smile you will be proud to show for many years.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Do I Need an Oral Surgeon for My Tooth Extraction?

Posted on November 22, 2022 by writeradmin.

I had a filling on a tooth that fell out. I will admit I am not the best with dentists. I should have gone, but I chose the healthy tactic of ignoring my problems. As a result, my tooth broke. It started hurting me again. Eventually, it got to where I couldn’t handle it so I went to a dentist. He said the tooth was infected and needed a root canal treatment. I sucked it up to get the treatment. It was AWFUL. Seriously. He wanted me to come back for a dental crown, but I went with my original tactic. Then, my tooth started hurting again. Shocker.
Back to the dentist. This one is saying that the tooth needs to be extracted. He said the tooth is in bad shape and it may be more involved. Now I am wondering if I should do this with an oral surgeon where I can be knocked out. But, that is more expensive. I don’t want to put myself in danger or get myself in a disastrous situation just to save some money. What do you think?

Lori

Dear Lori,

That is interesting that your dentist said that. While an oral surgeon is probably not necessary, he may be hinting that he is uncomfortable doing the extraction. I am going to suggest something completely different. Instead of using this dentist for the extraction or an oral surgeon, I would like you to see a sedation dentist. This will allow you to get the extraction done in an anxiety-free/pain-free way, without having the unnecessary expense of an oral surgeon.

Look for someone who offers oral conscious sedation. Most patients are so relaxed during this method of sedation that they sleep through the entire procedure. In fact, some have dubbed it sleep dentistry as a result. The only “downside” is that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you for a few hours until you are lucid and steady on your feet. This would have been necessary with an oral surgeon too, so it’s not much of a downside.

Patients who’ve avoided the dentist for years find that dental sedation completely changes the way they view going to the dentist. They no longer have dental anxiety and are able to catch up on all their avoided dental work fairly quickly. You’ll no longer have to resort to ignoring your problems and can tackle them head-on with confidence.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Over Twelve Shots to Get Numb

Posted on September 30, 2022 by writeradmin.

I recently had a tooth extraction at the dentist. It was the most excruciating procedure I have ever endured. It took over twelve shots of Novacaine. Now that it has been a few days, there is the sharp ridge. I have sort of lost confidence in this dentist. Can you tell me if this is a normal part of the healing process or if something is wrong? This has made life very uncomfortable.

Angie

Dear Angie,

I can understand your concern after twelve shots of Novocaine. I want to address that first and then we will cover the ridge issue. Your dentist may not have been aware that if a patient is feeling anxious in a dental chair, which is perfectly normal when someone is about to have a tooth extracted, that the anxiety they are feeling actually works against the numbing medication. It has to do with the way your anxiety ups your metabolism burning off the numbing medication.

The good news is there is a simple solution for this. The next time you need an invasive procedure like this, I’d like you to ask for some dental sedation. If your dentist doesn’t offer that, then you would be better served going to someone else for the procedure.

If your anxiety is mild, you may only need some nitrous oxide. If your anxiety is high, then I would suggest getting oral conscious sedation.

As for the ridge, this is a normal part of the healing process. When the procedure first started, the area around the extraction site was swollen, so this ridge was not there. As the swelling goes down, the ridge shows up. However, there isn’t always a sharp edge. If that is bothering you, and it sounds like it definitely is, then your dentist can clip this to remove it.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Sedation Dentistry and Type-2 Diabetes

Posted on August 10, 2022 by writeradmin.

Hi, I’m Emily. I’m 24 and I’m supposed to get my wisdom teeth removed soon. I was so relieved when I found out I can be sedated for this! The problem I have though is I’m a type-2 diabetic on insulin. I have a continuous glucose monitor and keep my levels in a healthy range. Will I have to go a long time though without eating before my surgery? Am I even a candidate for this?

Dear Emily,

I am glad you reached out. Being diabetic, whether type 1 or type 2, brings its own set of considerations when it’s time for surgery. Poorly controlled diabetes can affect the entire body’s ability to heal, including the mouth, by inhibiting circulation. If your blood glucose levels are typically steady and your home care and insulin treatments are effective, you should be able to adequately tolerate the surgery. The sedation dentist will have a consultation to go over everything with you before your procedure is scheduled.

If you choose, you may request oral sedation, which is a medication taken by mouth to relax you. You will be required to have someone to drive you to and from your appointment, as well as stay with you until you are lucid and steady on your feet. Unlike general anesthesia, you may eat your regular meal before your appointed time. In fact, it is important so be sure not to skip this important step, as well as drink plenty of fluids. Take your regularly scheduled dose of insulin as well. Typically we suggest bringing a glucometer with you to your appointment, but your continuous meter makes keeping track of your levels a breeze!

At your intake, all of your vitals will be recorded. This would be a great time to let your dentist know your most recent HbA1c levels. After your procedure is complete, take all medications as prescribed, and follow your home care instructions diligently. Keep watch for any signs of infection during healing. this is a higher risk for diabetics. Some indications of infection are redness, swelling, or increased discomfort. Contact your dentist quickly if any questions or concerns appear.

Remember, diabetic patients are seen every day for their dental needs. The better you care for yourself leading up to your appointment, the better your healing will be.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington cosmetic dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Twelve Shots of Novocaine to Get Numb

Posted on March 1, 2022 by writeradmin.

My last dental procedure was one problem after another. First, it took twelve shots of Novocaine to get me numb enough to remove one tooth. That set the tone for the rest of this. A few days after that, a bone spur developed at the extraction site. It took over thirty minutes for that to be removed, so more pain. Now, it seems I have a sharp, bony ridge sticking out at one spot. It’s making eating a bit difficult for me. Is this another problem or a normal part of the process when the site is healing? I have pretty much lost all confidence in my dentist at this point.

Hope

Dear Hope,

The ridge you are experiencing is normal and part of the healing process as you wondered. While I don’t think your dentist did anything “wrong” here, I do not think he is going to be the best dentist for you. When you were having trouble getting numb, it should have been obvious you needed a relaxant. Either he doesn’t keep any on hand or he does not understand the connection between dental anxiety and the inability to get numb.

For some reason, when a patient is anxious it metabolizes the numbing medication faster. The higher the anxiety, the faster it metabolizes. What your dentist should have done is provide you with either nitrous oxide, or if your anxiety was really high, oral conscious sedation. The nitrous is a gas you just breathe in, but is a mild relaxant. When the procedure is done, your dentist switches the gas back to oxygen and you are good to go and carry on with your day as normal in about 15 minutes.

Oral conscious sedation is sometimes called sleep dentistry because it is so strong you will likely just sleep through your appointment. However, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You will be too loopy to get behind a wheel safely.

In your case, I would look for a sedation dentist for any further treatments you have. It will make your procedures easy as pie (the eating part, not the baking).

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Sedation for Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Travis Wachendorf.

My twenty-year-old daughter needs her wisdom teeth extracted. She has gone through a difficult year and I want to find a way to make this as pain-free for her as possible without putting her in any additional risk. The idea of anesthesia makes me nervous, but if that is the best thing for her, I will do it.

Gina

Dear Gina,

I am sorry to hear about your daughter’s rough year. It is great that she has a caring mother like you to try to ease what she can for her. I haven’t examined your daughter, so I do not know the details of her case. At her age, there has not been time for the cementum to accumulate at the roots of her teeth. This makes everything fairly pliable and uncomplicated. There should be no reason for her to need anesthesia, which has additional risks and complications. It will be fine for her to use oral conscious sedation. If your dentist is suggesting anesthesia when you approached him, I would recommend a second opinion. It would take an unusually complicated case to warrant anesthesia.

With oral conscious sedation, your daughter will take a simple pill. It is strong enough that she can sleep completely through the procedure. She will need your (or someone else) to drive her to and from her appointment, as well as stay with her for a few hours at home until she is lucid and stable on her feet. The two of you can sit around and watch some of your favorite movies while she rests. She’ll be up and around in no time.

If your dentist doesn’t offer oral conscious sedation, just do an internet search for a sedation dentist. I hope this helps put your mind at ease.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.