OT-Dental Question

i also have painful childhood memories of the dentist and recently had to get a root canal and a temporary crown put on.
it's all about the novocaine. lots and lots of novocaine. i didn't feel a thing.
the worst part for me was the nerves made my UC act up that morning and then i couldn't really eat until the novocaine wore off hours later. so i was good and hungry by then.

otherwise it was a total piece of cake. i had to go back later because he didn't sand down the temporary crown enough so there was a high spot and that was causing some pain. but he fixed that up quick and no problems.

Oh gosh me too. I wore braces for 5 (yes 5 years!). I had to have this thing in the top of my mouth where you turned a key to make my bite wider. Then I had to have about 5 permanent teeth pulled b/c my mouth is so small (not that you can tell by how much I talk...ha ha!). Anyway beyond traumatic. My son has his first dentist appt. tomorrow. I'm going to put on a super happy face. I never want him to experience what I did.

Thanks for your reassuring words. I needed to hear that!

I've had a root canal and crown in the past year. (Thank you, Pred) There was no pain involved, the worst was the pressure when he put the permanent crown on. They have to push hard because it fits tight. It didn't hurt a bit, but just a lot of pressure.

If you're really worried, ask for a pre-medication and have someone drive you. No sense in being all anxious.

AWFUL! I was so young too. In middle school. Remember food getting stuck in it and stinky breath? Double yuck!

Hi Erica (tooth fairy) and welcome to the forum! I loved the story about your GI...guess there's always a different way to "look" at things.

Tab, good luck with the dental stuff; sounds like you had it rough at the dentist when you were younger. I too have always had a lot of dental work, but the dentist I have now is awesome; he really knows how to give a good novocaine shot(s)! Once you have that it's a piece of cake. Take care, let us know how your little guys dental appt. goes too!

Hi..I just had a crown replaced...you'll be frozen for a while, but that will pass..lol (takes me 4 - 5 hours for the freezing to leave)! One appointment for priming and casting. A temporary crown will be put on, and then the next appointment the following week will be to put on the shiny new crown.

What kind are you getting? Gold, white or silver?

It's no biggie.

I LOVE cake....glad you enjoyed it!

quincy

Just an hour ago I had a temporary crown placed - I'm on pred 40mg & Imuran 50mg.

Recently I switched to a new dentist for a long list of repairs and restoration work to be done. I've always required nitrous oxide gas for the physical tension and anxiety and electric pain of needles and drills. But the new office only offers oral sedation medication (halcion). I like it better - it keeps me relaxed throughout the procedure. I bring my own eye bag cover, ipod relaxation music, and shawl to stay warm. Plus the halcion doesn't have the side effect of nausea in the hours following that the nitrous did. It does require that you arrange a ride to & from the office.

At my first appointment - I had been on prednisone 40 mg for a month. His only concern was the possibility of infection. Now I am on imuran 50 mg for a week and I am more concerned about infections of all types - not just from dental procedures. During the upward taper of imuran dosage my bloodwork will be monitored every 3-4 weeks. Any red flags should be communicated to the dentist who can decide if there is any new risk to be concerned about. Ask your GI doc to send copies of your serial blood work to your dentist (sign a consent and provide names, addresses, phones, fax #s).

NSAIDS are a NO NO for most of us with UC. So the prednisone is still the numero uno antiinflammatory. Without a large dose of NSAIDs available for post-dental appt pain - You may want to ask for an prescription of pain medication, like plain tramadol, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone (not in combined fomulations with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or aspirin).

Wish you the best,
Ciao, Miz D in Oregon

Didn't read all the responses yet but I find bringing a CD player or MP3 player and blasting music to drown out the sounds of the dentist helps for everything, even a simple cleaning. Its not like you have to carry on a conversation, right?

Ohhhh don't you just hate that?? When the dentist or hygeinist try to carry on a conversation with you while they're drilling or suctioning away??? I'm sure you don't do that do you tooth fairy?? :)

For some odd reason, I'm craving chocolate cake now.......hmmmm