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 have a abscess and dental phobia, any advice?
I am dental phobic and Iam suffering from an abscess. In the past I have had sedation but I still couldn’t have the treatment as I was terrified. I am in so much pain and discomfort I really don’t know what to do. My mum would pay for me to have treatment but I need to be asleep. Any suggestions? I live in Manchester if this helps
Dear Sir/Madam
I am rally sorry to hear of your situation. The best option might b to attend Manchester Dental Hospital and been seen in their dental emergency department. Dental Abscesses can be a serious problem, and should urgent extraction of the tooth be needed they may be able to arrange a short General Anaesthetic (i.e for you to be asleep) for removal. They would also most likely need to you to start a course of antibiotics as soon a possible, and could offer some appropriate painkillers to help you over the next few days.
Your comment about dental sedation is not uncommon – it is best administered by an expert anaesthetist who can monitor and titrate correctly for the given situation. It would therefore be a shame for you to lose confidence in sedation in general when it may be that you just need to have it provided in a different way.
I have made calls to Manchester Dental Hospital 0161 2756666 – they have told me that patients need to attend very early in the morning (7:30am) for emergencies but I would suggest you call them first and see what they suggest.
Alternatively you could go to your local hospital emergency department. It is currently against the law for a dentist to use general anaesthesia in a practice environment – it can only be done in hospital – therefore if this is what you need then the only way forward is to go though a Hospital emergency department.
I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to contact me again if I can help further. If you are visiting the London area I would be happy to see you at our clinic, If you would like to receive our new ebook with information discussing how we can help you overcome your dental phobia please just contact simonnery@mac.com, or visit sndentist.co.uk to download directly.
My very best wishes for this difficult time.
Dr Simon Nery
BDS,FDSRCS(Eng), M.Sc, MRDRCS(Edin), DipImpDentRCS(Edin).
Part time Lecturer in Restorative Dentsitry at the London Hospital 1998-2010
