I hate No-Va-Cane

[B-Dozer]

Gotta run BC, fostering three Pitties along with my own two, want to keep an eye on 'em. Play nice!

[Hamby]

Get some wisdom teeth removed...you'll want the novocaine. I had mine extracted 2 years ago because they were growing the wrong direction. The teeth hadn't broken through the gums, so they had to cut into the gums and take them out.

After what seemed like a million shots of novocaine and listening to the needle hit my teeth with a *CRUNCH* sound, i was glad.

All i saw was bloody tools and a dentist with an awfully disgusted and frustrated look as he stood over me and pulled as hard as he could. All i felt was a pinch each time. I was done in 15 minutes.

[B-Dozer]

Get some wisdom teeth removed...you'll want the novocaine. I had mine extracted 2 years ago because they were growing the wrong direction. The teeth hadn't broken through the gums, so they had to cut into the gums and take them out.

After what seemed like a million shots of novocaine and listening to the needle hit my teeth with a *CRUNCH* sound, i was glad.

All i saw was bloody tools and a dentist with an awfully disgusted and frustrated look as he stood over me and pulled as hard as he could. All i felt was a pinch each time. I was done in 15 minutes.

Next time let me know, I'll do you in 10 minutes with my leatherman. Won't hurt me a bit ;D

[Hamby]

I'll let you know when my wisdom teeth grow back. I'll even give you a million dollars.

[B-Dozer]

Heck I'll do it for free!

[Hamby]

No, i'll pay. Go ahead and spend the money, i'm sure i'll have it to you soon. Wisdom teeth grow back fast.

[GLADES]

I had my wisdom teeth cut out by a oral surgeon. He used what looked like a dremel with a small circular saw blade. After two series of shots, I could feel him working, smell the bone as he was cutting, watch the spraying liquids fly out of my mouth, and spitting out all the blood, the stitching. It really didn't hurt...until the nova cane wore off.

I think it works fine for most folks.

A small cavity...sheesh.

[Hamby]

I was f'ed up after it all. He said mine were still covered in a bit of bone that he had to break through. I looked like a chipmunk for a week and a half.

[B-Dozer]

Mine grew in sideways too, used what looked like a small crowbar. New I was in trouble when he got up on his tiptoes for leverage. That and he kept on asking for suction. 

[.dsaavedra.]

glad i never grew wisdom teeth... :-X

[B-Dozer]

glad i never grew wisdom teeth... :-X

They come from wisdom, hence the phrase:wisdom teeth 

[Tin]

glad i never grew wisdom teeth... :-X

Me too, never formed.

[B-Dozer]

I rest my case 

[SirSnookalot]

A routine cavity only requires a shot of novocaine, nitrous does not deaden pain but you don't care about the shot, it's no big deal.

The oral surgery I had was done with an IV,. no pain.

Worst I ever had was gum surgery, shots of novocaine, then back again the following week for 6 more on the other side.  Now it's done differently, have had 5 periodontal surgeries over the last year or so and the method now is to take triazolam an hour before and you sleep thru entire process

and never feel a thing, except the money that's being drained out of you wallet.

One of the leading causes of heart attack and stroke is gum disease.

Bass clary, time to manup

[Hamby]

My sister isn't all there in the head, and they had to drug the crap out of her to get her to sit down in that chair and get hers removed. The first time she was there they weren't going to give her the drugs to take an hour before, but she freaked when she got to the office. Second time they gave her the drugs. She ended up falling asleep in the waiting room and had to be carried to the chair.

[B-Dozer]

A routine cavity only requires a shot of novocaine, nitrous does not deaden pain but you don't care about the shot, it's no big deal.

The oral surgery I had was done with an IV,. no pain.

Worst I ever had was gum surgery, shots of novocaine, then back again the following week for 6 more on the other side. Now it's done differently, have had 5 periodontal surgeries over the last year or so and the method now is to take triazolam an hour before and you sleep thru entire process

and never feel a thing, except the money that's being drained out of you wallet.

One of the leading causes of heart attack and stroke is gum disease.

Bass clary, time to manup

One of the leading causes of heart attack and stroke is seeing the Dentist's bill! ;D

[tyrius.]

I only go like every 3 years or so. I always have 1 small cavity every time.

You only go to the dentist every 3 years or so and you're complaining about 1 small cavity? 

If it's a small cavity you don't even need novocaine.  Just tell the dentist to hit it with the drill a few times and you're done. 

Also, is anyone else wondering how you say novocaine doesn't work, but after you got it you can't feel the right side of your face and neck?  Hmm, isn't that an indication that it worked!

[nick76]

I might be able to shed some light here as I do this for a living.  Welcome to wonderful world of Dentistry.

First let me say this, nobody uses novacaine anymore in the US.  It was a substance that cause far too many reactions and worked poorly.  It was pretty much taken out of the market in the late 70's to early 80's.  Now there are a few other types of anesthetic used.  Most commonly used are Lidocaine (xylocaine) with epinephrine for a faster more localized effect and then Carbocaine (Mepivicaine) without any epinephrine.  There are also a few others that are used for longer procedures, but for the most part these are the two that are commonly used for fillings.  They both last about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours depending on the person.

I can tell you that I have two patients in my office (1500 patients total) who do not react to one of the anesthetics I use so I have to be specific in what I use.  It is very rare.  I also have patients who seem to burn through the anesthetic faster than others, but there are only a handful. 

Depending on where the cavity is you can expect one to two shots and in a difficult case sometimes a third.  I know that for most everyone I have to give one shot for either a lower or an upper.  Now there are times where I have to give an additional shot, but I cannot remember the last time I gave three shots for one filling, it has well over a couple of years.  I am also a chicken when it comes to pain.  I expect that my patients will be pain free during the entire process.  This includes giving the shots and finishing the work.  I want them to be comfortable and I truly do not like to cause pain.  Almost every patient can give you a horror story about some guy torturing them and I do not want to be that guy.  I can also tell you that I achieve this without topical anesthetic or Nitrous in most cases.  I get responses all the time about how well I give shots and that they didn't even feel it. 

Now, if you are one of those who is difficult to numb then you might ask to try a different anesthetic.  If the same thing happens then I might suggest finding a different dentist.  I don't know who you use and it really doesn't matter, but there is no need to routinely get 4 shots for anything, especially a filling.  With the whole side of your face going numb and down the neck it leads me to believe that maybe the site of the injection is the problem and not the former. 

Now as Sirsnookalot has said.  Nitrous does not make you numb, it only lowers your ability to feel pain.  It relaxes you and makes you less aware of what is going on.  For some this is all they need to get through a filling, for others this is what they need to get through a shot.  Either way it can help.....but not everyone likes it.  I for one cannot stand the feeling. 

I also see that you only go every three years......can I ask why?  I routinely see patients who wait until something is bothering them before they come in.  By then most of the problem has compounded itself and could have been remedied faster and cheaper.  I can assure you it is also cheaper to come in more frequently.  I know it is about $150 for a cleaning, xrays, exam.  It is also about $150 for one emergency visit and that does not include fixing what needs fixed.  If it is a simple filling then $100-200 more and if it is something other it could be $500-1500 or more.  I usually tell my patients who like to wait to make it at least once a year.  Often in a year you can see changes without terrible damage, unless there is a major diet or medical issue.  So for a yearly exam and such you are spending $10-15 per month.  Decay can be prevented, it is harder in some people.  A good fluoride rinse will help as well. 

Again as Sirsnookalot said, there is a direct link to gum disease and heart disease.  You are 40% more likely to have heart disease if you have gum diease.  The bacteria are the same.  You can also share this with your spouse through contact.  The hard part about gum disease is the fact that you usually do not feel it until the problem is really big.  Then it costs a fortune to fix and is never fully resolved only maintained. 

Just my 2 cents.

[B-Dozer]

Great to have the knowledge and opinion of a professional. Thank you.

[Fishing Rhino]

In most cases I prefer the nitrous.  I don't smoke, drink or do drugs.  But I will admit I get a buzz from the nitrous.

For me, it doesn't eliminate the pain, though it no doubt reduces it.  What it does for me is that I don't care about the pain.  It's like it is happening to someone else.  Or, like an out of body experience.

I used to joke about it with my late dentist.  By the way, he was an avid fisherman, and one night a week used to meet with his buddies in the evening to tie flies.

On one visit (strange word to describe what is considered to be an unpleasant experience) the Nitrous "mask" or whatever it's called was placed over my nose and the gas was turned on.

The dentist and I got involved in a conversation about family, Disneyworld, fishing, or telling jokes.  I had a pretty good buzz on, and before he could ask if I was ready to go, I told him that if he was waiting for me to tell him I was ready we'd be there the rest of the day.

One day as he was about to administer the nitrous, I said, "Hold on for a minute."  And with a flourish, I reached into my shirt pocket, pulled out and applied a breathe right strip to my nose.  Told him I wanted to make sure I got the maximum effect.

It took a few minutes for him to stop laughing.  He told me it was one of the highlights of his dental career.

[nick76]

That is a pretty funny story Rhino.  I have patients who do the same thing.  They always tell me that it is "Legal" to get high on my stuff.  I use it for fillings and major stuff when the patient wants, but I have those that think they need it for cleanings.  That is where I drew the line and they get charged for it.  There are 3 patients in the office that feel they have to have it and they get charged.  It is not necessary, they just like the buzz. 

You are right about it not making it feel numb, just takes the edge off.  I have patients who take nothing for fillings and the such.  I even have patients who have crown work done with nothing.  They would rather tolerate the pain than be numb for anything.  It is weird the variation between people and their pain tolerances.

[moby bass]

Mabe this will make you feel better.

Poor Harvey, he's trying so hard not to laugh he's going to wet himself ;D

[Nibbles]

I dunno what my dentist gave me, but I had an inch long and approximately 5 mm diameter titanium screw drilled into my upper jaw in preparation for an implant and the initial shot tided me over for the entire session.

Maybe it was just a healthy dose of testosterone. 

[nick76]

Probably Articaine (about 4 hours duration) or Marcaine (6-8 hours duration).  Nice work for the implant.  Gotta love them, easy to restore.......expensive, but worth every penny. 

[Nibbles]

He definitely did some nice work. Only took him around an hour including xrays every ten minutes or so. Surprisingly, I felt very little pain during the days after the procedure and ended up tossing the painkillers prescribed to me. Says a lot about how steady his hands must have been.