Expert answers
We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.
I am still severely distressed under sedation
Hi,
I hope you can help. I have fairly bad dental phobia due to trauma as a young child during a routine filling. I’ve recently managed to overcome my inability to walk through the door at the dental clinic and managed to have 7 extractions completed under sedation.
Unfortunately my dentist has advised that he won’t be able to sedate me again as I was severely distressed even whilst under sedation.
I need to have a deep clean and a front tooth removed, either with a bridge or implant replacement.
I don’t know what else to do as I can’t sit in the chair knowing that something other than a finger will be going in my mouth. To be frank it scares me so badly just the thought is making me cry.
I’ve been referred to St Thomas & St Guys but haven’t heard anything from them in nearly 3 months after the initial consultation and when I call I’m told that I’m still on the list.
I know I need the treatment or risk losing all my teeth but I don’t know which way to turn, going private isn’t really an option as I don’t have the money available for it.
Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated.
Kind regards
Catherine
I’m sorry you have had all these problems .
Firstly if you have had so much trouble with sedation , what have you been referred to Guys for ? They may be able to give you a deeper sedation .
But two things may be helpful . Guys and St Thomas have a service where phobic dental patients are referred to a psychologist for Cognitive behaviour Therapy which helps people be able to cope with dental treatment . There is a wait but its free , and I think you should ask about this .
Your dr. may be able to refer you for this to Professor Newton .
Its extremely unlikely that you will get an implant on the NHS , and possibly not a bridge . You may have to come to terms with having a removable replacement at least very short term /
I hope you are able to have the courage to continue with the good work you have already done
Jenny
