night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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As I write this post I am completely numb in my lower face, lips, nose and gums. The problem is that I needed several tiny fillings in my front top teeth. I also had a sizable chip in my right top incisor. I haven't had any dental work done on my front teeth ever, so there has been no reason before to numb them.
After 7, count them, SEVEN Novocaine injections, everything EXCEPT my canine teeth was affected. The drilling, the cold air and water being applied to my teeth and the blue light thing that cures the white fillings caused me severe pain in those 2 teeth. I ahd 6 fillings done, but the ones on my top canines were excruciating. It was definitely NERVE pain and was so intense that tears streamed out of eyes (even though I wasn't technically crying) and I was wringing and clasping my hands together so hard that my nails cut into my palms.
At the risk of sounding wimpy, this was HIDEOUSLY bad! I HAD to tolerate the pain--although at times I simply couldn't take any more and made him stop working so I could catch my breath. He couldn't understand why it was so bad and told me I am the only person in his entire career that was unable to be numbed in those top canine teeth. It made me feel like he thought I was faking it or something! UGH!
Has anyone else responded poorly to dental anesthesia? I can't possibly believe I am the only one!
By the way, as this novocaine wears off, the 2 teeth are throbbing with pain--probably from irritation to the nerve. No, I didn't ask for nor did I receive any pain killers. My usual pain pills aren't touching it. Maybe I just need to have general anesthesia for future dental work?
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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ReOkie
Board Addict
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 343
Loc: Oklahoma
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NS:
Once when I was having some work done, a root canal I think, they shot me 3 times and they said that was the maximum amount they could give me.
I know this; my mouth HURT! And it was from the shots. I think that hurt worse than the root canal and listen, when they are drilling in your tooth and you are not numb, YOU LET THEM KNOW QUICKLY!
I do feel your pain!
ReOkie
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Remember son, watch out for the big panties!-Al Bundy
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 466
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Night shade, this is not normal, but it does happen. When they're giving you injections for your upper teeth, they need to hit both your gums in that area as well as the roof of your mouth (talk about ouch!). Even still, some people require a greater amount of anesthesia than others. Personally, if I weren't numb, I wouldn't have allowed them to continue. It is odd, though, that they had your nose numb but not your teeth! Still, I really doubt your dentist thought you were faking it; honest. I'd guess he was sincerely just saying you were the first he's had that it didn't work on. But next time, don't let it go on- if you're in pain, make them stop. Also, if you're anxious, I believe that counteracts the anesthesia.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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dixiechick
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/29/02
Posts: 263
Loc: Deep South
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I hesitate to reply to this post as i know dentistry and horror visits are a hot topic and defending it is a good way to get flamed but here goes.
Night, what you were feeling is not normal, but can happen. There are a multitude of things that will affect anethesia or lack of, ranging from drinking alcohol the night before, to nerves not being anatomically where they are supposed to, and as greycie said anxiety. When you are nervous or hurting, your bodies own adrenaline kicks in and your metabolism goes into overdrive. This will totally affect the amount of anesthesia you experience as well as the longevity of it.
I am sure that they knew you werent faking it. I worked in the dental field for over 20 years and you can tell when someone is in pain, but sometimes there isnt anything they can do. The only thing that i dont understand is why the dentist didnt give you the option to stop or to try possibly using Nitrous oxide along with the lidocaine.
Something you might want to discuss with your dentist the next time is being pre medicated with a small amount of a benzo. One the night before to insure a good nights sleep, and then another dose an hour before your appointment. There are lots of studies in the JADA showing that this increases your chances of higher anesthesia during dental procedures. I am sure that you are very sore due to the injection sites as well the trauma to the teeth. Anti inflamitories help better in this case than opiate meds. It will help to calm the irratated nerves. I hope this helps in some way.
Edited by dixiechick (05/21/04 12:19 PM)
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 466
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Dixie!! You should never hesitate to respond, especially when you've done so as eloquently as you've done here! People need to know facts and why something may have happened! I think you provided a wealth of information that should prove useful to many!!
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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johng
Board Addict
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 358
Loc: great lakes
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Night shade I feel for you.
I am one of thoses that can never get totaly numb. The only thing that causes me to have a painc attack. I never ever get them. in my past carrer as a paramedic I have been shot at beat up and so many stressful things but I am scared of a dentist.
What I was told by a dentist that one of the things that cause poor resonse to novacaine is an infection in the area to be numbed. the novicane can not pentrate the bacteria or something simular to that mechnisim. Are you diabetic by chance? youcould have a latent/ abcess infection there.
hope this helps
johng
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Oh Night , I feel your pain. I am one of those people who respond well to novicaine but it wears off after about 15 mins. or so. They now use this one type of novicaine that goes into the back of your mouth and up into your nerves and it numbs every part of your mouth. Even with the 2 novicaine shots I get before getting that one I have to tell you that it hurts like HE double hockey sticks!!!!!!!
You know what else helps too? It is laughing gas!!!! I could never get dental work without it. It makes everything just alittle easier!
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lardaman
Banned: flame wars, insults, offending others
Reged: 08/14/02
Posts: 244
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I also have a hard time becoming numb b4 the dentist attacks me. This does cause anxiety & yes pain. However I am a fortunate person to have found a really good state of the art dentist. The last time I was in there he tried a new procedure on me, one that he referred to as a catheter. They drill a small painless hole into the bone line beneath the teeth they are going to work on. (In my case it was my jawbone). I never felt him drill the hole. Then they place the catheter (very tiny plastic tube) into the hole which leads into your bone. Then they just inject the novocaine into the hole. They use less novocaine & the effects last longer. I am a 45 year man who was always afraid of the dentist chair, but since he introduced me to this procedure, I have never been so comfortable in "the chair" before. I can honestly say that I didn't feel a thing & normally I would have been white knuckling the chair the entire time I was there, except it didn't hurt one bit.
The next time you go to your dentist insist on this procedure. If they don't offer it then find one that does. I hope this helps anyone who reads it. I know it helped me.
Lar
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Jen1
Stranger
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 12
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So terribly sorry to hear about your experience.
I too have had times when Dentist could not numb me at all, or the area of mouth he wanted to numb.
I had the Dentist stop working right away, I had to be very persistent that he stop, but he did after much protest.
One made a comment to me that he thought it was my anxiety overcoming the medication.
One told me he had never seen anything like this. Hummm???
As all other posters have stated this is not uncommon.
You were not faking it.
I now hesitate and fear to go to Dentist and my husband has to stand by the door to make sure I dont sneak out of the treatment room.
Many years ago my husband dropped me off at the Dentist office to have my wisdom teeth pulled.
I left the office as soon as the assistant told me the Dentist would be in to see me in a few minutes. I panicked,asked where the restroom was left the building and walked home. My husband just happened to drive past me on his way to work and saw me walking at a very fast pace home. He took me back to the Dentists office where they had not even noticed that I had left. LOL
They stayed in the room with me to make sure I did not go AWOL again.
So the family joke now is that he has to guard the exit door until I am numb and the Dentist has me secure in his chair.
I have the Nitro Gas and a Valium or Xanax the night before and morning of dental work now.
I am so sorry that you had to sit through this and the Dentist did not stop working on you.
You need to find a Dentist that caters to patients with Dental Phobias. I think that a large majority of people have anxiety before seeing their Dentist, but for some the anxiety is more extreme. The numbing medication does not work once your body is producing more adrenalin, it totally counteracts the chemical injected into the gums. In most cases,not everyone responds the same.
There was only one Dentist who could numb me with the first shot and he is now retired, but he told me that my nerve endings were not located at the normal spot Dentist are taught to aim for in their anatomy class. So maybe an older more exoerienced Dentist would be better to have??????
I agree with the anti-inflammitory advice from other posters, this is by far the best med to help the swelling subside and your pain decrease.
My thoughts are with you, rest as much as you can.
Take care of yourself. You were not faking!!!!!! Dont ever doubt what you are feeling, speak up the next time and tell him/her to stop...... You have rights, and they are posted in every Dental office as the "Patients Bill of Rights".
Jen
P.S
If at all possible if your Insurance will allow it try to find a Dentist that offers gentle dentistry and patience with people like us who suffer from severe anxiety due to Dental procedures.
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Jen1
Stranger
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 12
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That sounds almost like a epidural, but for teeth. Interesting I will have to find a Dentist in my area that does this procedure. I forgot to mention also that there is a Dentist about 70 miles away from me who advertises quite heavily on T.V and Radio. Painfree dentistry, apparently he does a concious sedation with his patients and tries to get all dental work completed at one visit. I bet he is very expensive, but well worth it. I think they call it twilight sleep in the Dental world.
Has anyone else heard of this before or had any experience with this???
Any input would be appreciated as I have been putting off some dental work due to my anxiety and fear of Dentists.
Thanks,
Jen
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Yeppers
Newbie
Reged: 04/17/04
Posts: 46
Loc: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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Quote:
Has anyone else responded poorly to dental anesthesia? I can't possibly believe I am the only one!
By the way, as this novocaine wears off, the 2 teeth are throbbing with pain--probably from irritation to the nerve. No, I didn't ask for nor did I receive any pain killers. My usual pain pills aren't touching it. Maybe I just need to have general anesthesia for future dental work?
I had to have the twilight sleep type thing, iv anesteshia, or iv sleep. Cna't remember what they call it. Essentially you are asleep, but not all the way out. You wake up quickly and don't have to be intubated and such.
I went to Dentist about 10 years ago (this is also when I discovered hydro and how much I 'liked' it). I was having an infected tooth pulled.
She shot me up mre than 7 times. Don't recal how many. SHe would shoot me up, wait a few mintues and begin to pull. And I would feel it. To make matters worse, she broke the tooth she was trying to pull.
Even touching the tooth I could feel, even with all the novacaine.
So I dealt with a bi monthly toothache (and antibiotics, percocet or lortab) until I got up the nerve and the cash to go to an oral surgeon and be put to sleep. That was the way to go...went to sleep...woke up with the bad tooth and my wisdom teeth gone. Now the next week was pure hell...even with percocet and lortab.!!!
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~I'll quit procrastinating tomorrow~
;P~
~Yeppers~
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lardaman
Banned: flame wars, insults, offending others
Reged: 08/14/02
Posts: 244
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Jen,
after reading your post I went & looked up "concious sedation" on google & found their home page at the following link. Maybe something there to learn.
Lar
http://www.sedation1.com/docs/home.asp
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Thanks to everyone who replied. Now that the novocaine has completely worn off and the nerves settled down, there is little pain and I can say I had all 6 cavities (and the chipped tooth) repaired and it's OVER!
First of all, I NEVER drink alcohol. I also do not suffer dental anxiety. I don't LIKE going to the dentist, but I don't have anxiety issues over it. In addition to the 2 teeth not getting numb (keeping in mind that the rest WERE numb!) they left for over 30 minutes to "let the novocaine work" before starting the work. That particular position in the dental chair greatly exacerbated my usual back pain until I finally had to ask the assistant to let me up so I could go take one of my breakthru meds. And my back pain--which is usually kept at a nicely controlled 4 is now a 6 today--may have been tensing from the pain during the work or may have been the position or the chair...in either case, I feel like I've been in a car wreck! But I digress...I was never offered notrous oxide gas. If I had been offered it, I would have declined as I just don't care for that stuff and having a mask over my face just contributes to my claustrophobia issues.
I don't know what else they could have done. The severe pain wasn't a problem until he had already drilled into the tooth, so it wasn't as if I could just make him leave it. He's a great doctor, but complained several times today that they were extremely busy at the office today--so perhaps he was short with me due to his own feeling of being rushed and me not responding as expected to the anesthesia. It doesn't matter. There wasn't a choice, it was suffer through it as best I can and get it finished or have him quit and leave big drill holes in my front teeth--NOT an option. The cold water and air from the suction-slash-blower tube was just as painful as the drill going too deeply into my select teeth. As was the blue-light gadget that "cures" the fillings.
Unfortunately, my insurance is limited to just a handful of dentists and has a tiny annual limit ($500) so having general anesthesia every time I need dental work is cost-prohibitive--especially since I live on a fixed income. As it stands, I am already scheduled for oral surgery in late June to have a rear molar extracted (due to the jaw infury from a car accident several years ago) as I cannot open my mouth wide enough for the usual dentist to get his tools in the back of my mouth. That one procedure alone will eat up all my dental benefits for the year!
I don't know why I had to be the exception to the rule roday, but it seems commonplace for other things, why not that, too?
Thanks again, all!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Jen1
Stranger
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 12
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I am so glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better. Sorry about your back pain escalating, prob. due to sitting for all that time. "But you are right, it is done and over with". Which is a big relief...........
I hope that June appt. goes much better for you and that you heal in the mean time.
My best wishes to you for a speedy recovery...
Hang in there..............I was in a car accident May 1st and I am still hurting and finding new places that hurt each day.
Just want to send some positive thoughts your way and encouragment.
Take care,
Jen
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Jen1
Stranger
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 12
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'THANK YOU" "lardaman"
This is a great link..............
Looks like the Dental industry is making changes to help patients that are fearful of treatments.
Thanks a bunch!!!!!
Jen 
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 895
Loc: usa
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Nightshade...this isn't uncommon at all...there are several possible scenarios...you may be anesthesia resistant, meaning that Novacaine, at normal dosages, due to some variant in the receptor sites doesn't "bind" normally, or, you may have roots that are longer than usual, and the Novacaine, where injected isn't numbing the full nerve root...I have to have Marcaine injections...and not all dentists use this...it's a longer acting, stronger anesthetic...I also have to have intraosseous injections...VERY DIFFICULT for the average, uninitiated dentinst...he must actually have special training in pinpointing physical landmarks & inject the needle into the bone, reaching the internal core of the bone...YEP they hurt, but if successful, well worth a few minutes of pain. Also, beware the dentist who continues to inject, and inject...you can get TOO MUCH anesthetic and it CAN have serious cardiac affects..also, an injection accidentally into a blood vessel can be catestrophic! This is ESPECIALLY true for young children & elderly adults. You WILL be more sore after such injections...and you may want to invest in a dentist who has special training in IV sedation....but, make SURE they SHOW you their certificate of education, make SURE they are proficient in starting & maintiaining adequate IV access...not just to push the sedation meds, but in case you need some sort of rescusitation! And ASK to see their "crash cart" it should be about as high as a normal filing cabinet, locked, have a defibrillator and a full stock of "code meds"....ask to see the list, which should be attached to the cart, it should list about 15 meds(minimum)...there should be an oxygen BAG & MASK CONNECTED TO AN Oxygen SOURCE next to the chair BEFORE you EVER let them sedate you...not just one in the room "somewhere"...if you need it...and they are not experienced with frequent arrests(and why would they be?)...it's no time to be trying to figure out how to set it up....
There are LOTS of dentists who are taking a weekend course, and then ACLU (advanced cardiac life support) training & certification...however, they don't all follow the guidelines to the T, and YOU SHOULD NEVER LET ONE SEDATE YOU without the aforementioned precautions....I NEVER have a root canal w/o IV sedation, but make sure I'll be safe, while I'm sedated.
Edited by IMSUSCOT1 (05/21/04 06:02 PM)
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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A different dentist once hit a blood vessel with Novocaine/Lidocaine and my heart started racing and I felt like it was hard to breathe and I started to sweat like crazy...fortunately the feeling went away after about 10 minutes, and I DID tell the dentist how I was feeling. She ignored it (but did say she thought that she may have accidentally gotten it into a blood vessel,) I found a different dentist.
I am seeing an oral/maxillofacial (probably spelled wrong) surgeon in late June for an extraction. I will ask about the IV sedation for other dental procedures. As far as that procedure, it is done under general anesthesia.
If I had my way, I'd have EVERY dental procedure done under general anesthesia. As I stated in a previous reply, though, I am limited by finances and insurance and so must "just deal with it."
Oh well, beggars can't be choosers sometimes.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Flavia
Journeyman
Reged: 01/29/03
Posts: 65
Loc: Baja Oklahoma
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Don't even blame yourself!!! I am notorious for dental anesthesia not working more than .01 second. I have cried hysterically. The ephynephrine has caused me to shake violently so that I thought I was having a seizure. I almost ripped the arm of the chair off. I SCREAMED bloody murder, and my daughter had to go outside.
Dentists should not be allowed to inflict such pain on people while they are conscious. I have a complaint pending against a dentist for such inhumane treatment. My sincerest sympathies. Flavia
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In this day and age, you need a crutch to get through life. If you don't, you are dead, in a
coma or seriously mentally impaired.
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PrivateRealm
Threadhead
Reged: 03/18/03
Posts: 879
Loc: usa
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I always let the dentist, if it is a new one, and I always remind them, that I am VERY resistant to pain medications of all sorts, and they always give extra shots. If I am still hurting, my dentist gives me more.
Once, when I was out of town, I needed a root canal, and the new dintist could not give me more than 3 shots. I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand it anymore. She left me with a half drilled tooth and told me that she couldn't help me.
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KeriAnne~~~
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."
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Billyl
Board Addict
Reged: 06/14/02
Posts: 389
Loc: NorthEast
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Perhaps she experience hyperglasia? I may have the spelling wrong. Take care. Billylll
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moonshade
Old Hand
Reged: 12/01/02
Posts: 461
Loc: searching for my lost shaker o...
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This happened to me once.
Had to have a filling.
I forget how many novocaine injections that dentist had to give. She finally said, any more injections would not help.
So she proceeded with the filling.
She did say that top row can be harder to numb sometimes??
And maybe it was bit infected , also, which hindered the numbing process ? Although, she never mentioned infection.
It was quite an unpleasant experience. She had to stop several times so I could get my wits about me.
She said she was hurrying as fast as she could.
I know she felt awful about it.
Thank God it was just a filling, and not a root canal.
Prob would have had to reschedule.
As I left the office, I got to wondering if there wasn;t possibly a problem with the novocaine they were using on me .
It happens, bad batch of meds, u know.
Anyway, fortunately, that's the only time I could not get completely numb.
I also never went back to that dentist.
I don't think it was her fault, but an experience like that will make you run out the door, never to return.
LOL at the poster whose husband has to stand guard at the door, so she doesn't sneak out. 
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*** insert profound statement here ***
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Bender71
Member
Reged: 03/02/03
Posts: 125
Loc: FL
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All I have to say is OUUUUUUUUUUCHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
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ReOkie
Board Addict
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 343
Loc: Oklahoma
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Actually there is a certain nerve that if the dentist hits, you will be numb for sure. I have only had a few hit that nerve but when they do, you will know it. It's like an electrical shock and you want to jump right out of your chair.
Like I said, only happened a few times.
ReOkie
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tb1218
Member
Reged: 09/19/02
Posts: 171
Loc: indiana
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I have always been able to be numbed, but once a dentist hit a nerve while injecting novacaine to fill a cavity and after the numbness wore off I couldnt open my mouth more than about a half an inch because it hurt so much. When I called to ask the dentist he said its about a one in a million chance to hit that nerve, so I was one in a million, I sure didnt feel lucky cuz it lasted over a week. Gosh even writing about dental work makes me hurt.
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lttlbit
Member
Reged: 11/12/03
Posts: 194
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It takes me about 7 or 8 shots as well to get numb or a little numb. I also had a dentist use that magic wand on me, it is a need that they stick in your gum in the roof of your mouth and it numbs the area of the mouth that needs work done and that is it, you do not get numb anywhere else, so when you leave you can put your lipstick on without walking around looking like your 2 year old put it on for you LOL. I also had the dentist hit that nerve and it hurt so bad. I just took my 8 year old son to the dentist and he had two of his back baby molars taken out and they had to give him 4 shots and bless his heart I wanted to cry watching him in that chair, but he did so good, he did not cry, scream or anything, he did not even want to hold my hand, he handled it better then probably most adults. They gave some of that hydro syrup for the pain for afterwards and when i gave him some, he talked and talked and would not be quiet, and then he said that the medicine i gave him made him feel good, I said nope, no more of that, so i have it is the cabinet and do not think i will be giving him anymore of that. I gave him motrin beforehand for the pain but he did complain alot of his mouth hurting him where the dentist gave him those shots.
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lardaman
Banned: flame wars, insults, offending others
Reged: 08/14/02
Posts: 244
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I had a dentist hit my nerve once as well, It made me come flying right out of the chair. Like you said it is not supposed to happen very often, but when it does, you sure know it! It only makes you want to never return again!
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Bender71
Member
Reged: 03/02/03
Posts: 125
Loc: FL
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That happened to me once also when I had a root canal done. I have a low tolerance for tooth pain anyways!
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Selby
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 230
Loc: the coast down under
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I went to a Endodontist (spelling) one time and she ended up injecting cocaine. OMG I never felt anything like that before or since. It numbed the area but the headrush was tooo much. 
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The Moose is Loose!
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srw
Member
Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 181
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i had the nerve thing happen, was getting a root canal, told the guy i didnt feele very numb, he told me not to worry, than as soon as he drilled my nerve i literally came outta the chair, he just told me to hold on he was almost done, i told him if he touched me again i would kill him lol, i told him he was going to give me pain meds and i was leaving, he didnt even charge me for anything lol, i think i scared him, i am kind of a big guy, tattoos, piercing all that, but im really a nice guy hehe
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