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.
