Dentist Can’t Get Me Numb

Question submitted by Damion

I had a horrible experience at the dentist the other day. It was my first time getting a dental crown. Even after seven shots, the dentist could not get me numb. He said he’d never had that happen before and gave me some antibiotics to hold me over. We’re going to let the area calm down a bit and then try again. I’ll be honest that I am now not too keen on going back. Have you heard of someone not able to get numb before?

Damion

Dear Damion,

I believe I know exactly what is happening to you. There is a connection between dental anxiety and the ability to get numb. Not all dentists are aware of this connection. When your anxiety ramps up, so does your metabolism. This has the effect of burning off the numbing medication before it has a chance to do its job.

You mentioned that this was your first dental crown. It would be completely normal to be nervous about a new dental procedure, especially one that is more invasive than you are used to. The good news is that there is a great solution for this.

I’d like you to see a sedation dentist. A sedation dentist can provide you with a medication that will completely relax you giving you an anxiety-free as well as pain-free dental procedure. There are several levels of dental sedation. Given your recent experience, I’d like to recommend you have oral conscious sedation.

This is administered by a pill. However, it is quite strong. Some people call it sleep dentistry because, if you wanted to sleep through your appointment you would be completely able to. Though, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Make sure it is someone you are very comfortable with because they will need to stay with you for a time after your procedure until you are lucid and steady on your feet.

You can go to the dentist, rest, get a porcelain crown without any fear, then go home and spend a few hours either napping or binging your favorite TV show. There are people with crippling anxiety that have found their lives completely changed by using sedation dentistry. In fact, they are able to catch up on years of neglected work.

I hope this puts your mind at ease.
This blog is brought to you by Tucson prosthodontist Dr. Howard Steinberg.