I have a high resistance to Novocain which has made my dental appointments a nightmare. This has led to me avoiding the dentist like the plague. Now my smile is in serious need of work. I’ve got at least three teeth that need to be extracted and replaced. I want to replace them with dental implants because I heard those look the best and one of the teeth is a front tooth. However, I’m not sure what to do about my Novocain resistance. I don’t want to feel like I’m being tortured.
Beth
Dear Beth,
Sleep dentistry changes lives
I’m sorry you have had such painful experiences. The fact that you are still trying to persevere shows how much you care about your oral health. First, let’s address your Novocain resistance. Most patients and even many dentists do not realize that dental anxiety affects the way your numbing medication works. The higher the anxiety, the faster the medicine is burned off. After the experiences you have had, I am sure your anxiety is through the roof. Fortunately, there is a solution to this situation, though.
I’m going to suggest you see a dentist who offers dental sedation. Most sedation dentists offer two different levels of sedation. The lightest is nitrous oxide, nicknamed laughing gas. However, because of the experiences you’ve had and the amount of work you need done, I’m going to suggest you use oral conscious sedation. This is so strong you can even sleep through your appointment if you choose to do so. In addition to giving you an anxiety-free/pain-free appointment, it also allows you to get more work done in each sitting which can significantly reduce the number of appointments you will need to get your mouth back in shape.
Choosing Your Implant Dentist Wisely
Dental implants are a great solution for missing teeth. They are the closest thing to having healthy, natural teeth in your jaw again. The thing to be aware of is it is an advanced procedure. You’ll want a dentist who has had extensive post-doctoral training in implants.
You mentioned that you wanted dental implants because they look the best. How their appearance turns out depends entirely on the skill of the cosmetic dentist doing the restoration. Because one of your teeth that need to be replaced is a front tooth, this will be especially important.
In your place, I would look for a dentist who has been accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country, so you can be certain they will provide you with a beautiful result.
This blog is brought to you by La Jolla Dentist Dr. Stephen Doan.