Dental visits

[dawgball]

So I was sitting in the chari this morning getting my 6 month cleaning and check-up when I started thinking about how many people actually go to the dentist every 6 months. There really is no excuse when you have dental insurance, but I still get shocked every now and then when I hear people say they haven't been in 2 years or longer.

So I am curious to see what schedule people use for their dental visits.

The poll is anonymous, so don't sweat it if you haven't been since you lost your baby teeth.

 

[redsfann]

I go every 6 months like clockwork and I HATE going to the Dentist. I know its a mental thing and I haven't had any dental work done since I got a cap back in 1999,(haven't had a cavity in over 20 years) but it is probably my least favorite health thing that I do. I just suck it up and go because I don't want to lose my chompers, and the only way to make sure you don't lose them is to go regularly.

 

[bjfinste]

The "I keep meaning to go" line is spot-on with me. I've been paying dental insurance since Jan. 1, and I've honestly told myself at least once or twice a month since Feb., "Okay Brandon, remember to call the dentist and get in for a cleaning and checkup." Somehow, I keep forgetting. Suddenly it's been eight months and I've essentially pissed away a free cleaning. I really should get in there soon.

 

[The Boys]

I better go twice a year:

 

[jcjcjc]

GAH!!!

 

[saint]

Want a good laugh?

I haven't been to a dentist in 3 years. And I know I have 2 cavities.

On top of it, I'll be a dentist in 9 months.

 

[marine]

I only go to a dentist if his assistant is hot. I dodged getting my wisdom teeth pulled ( no surgery or nothing, just pull em with pliers) for FOUR YEARS.
Why?
It was four years before i found a dentist with a hot lil assistant.

 

[saint]

I only go to a dentist if his assistant is hot. I dodged getting my wisdom teeth pulled ( no surgery or nothing, just pull em with pliers) for FOUR YEARS.
Why?
It was four years before i found a dentist with a hot lil assistant.

You'll be welcome in my office. I plan on giving my assistants a boob job as part of their contract. If they get fat or nasty, pregnant or just annoying I reserve the right to can them. In taking the titty job they agree to such terms.

Hopefully my office will be called Baywatch Dental Office. Moms will love me. It will be the first time Dads will want to take their kids to the dentist. Can you imagine the line out the door?


:mj07:

 

[MadJack]

man, i've been putting off the dentist for ages.

saint, i need relaxation. what do they give now that's safe for an old 50 year old guy?

<---scared!

 

[saint]

man, i've been putting off the dentist for ages.

saint, i need relaxation. what do they give now that's safe for an old 50 year old guy?

<---scared!

I don't blame you Jack, I'm no fan of being on the other end either.

Have you ever had nitrous? NO2 would work great, and if you still had anxiety a valium or two would do the trick.

 

[dogface]

I go 4 times a year. Every 3 months, let's clean em!


TSI

 

[Nole]

I go 4 times a year. Every 3 months, let's clean em!


TSI

Same here.

nole

 

[Trossi3389]

I better go twice a year:

:look: :chew:

 

[Simply In The Red]

If I could find another good dentist with a hot assistant, I would start going again. I quit going about 10 months ago but, before that, I was going every 2 to 3 months. I got tired of having to explain my x-rays to the workers and getting pressured into work that I didn't feel was necessary.

I usually don't have a problem going to the dentist since I don't seem prone to cavities for some reason. I do regret being talked into pulling my wisdom teeth for no reason other than convenience.

Hey Jack, do you have a problem with going to the dentist because of pain. If so, you might try explaining my pain policy to them. If I have to feel what I consider to be unnecessary pain, they will also get to experience the pain. I had one dentist accidentally stab the inside of my mouth with a pick and I put a death grip on his index finger with my teeth.

 

[MadJack]

I don't blame you Jack, I'm no fan of being on the other end either.

Have you ever had nitrous? NO2 would work great, and if you still had anxiety a valium or two would do the trick.

nitrous? i think i had that 30 years ago when i had my wisdom teeth yanked. is that the one where you go to sleep? nobody seems to do that anymore, at least around here they dont.

valium? i had 2 crowns around 1986 and he gave me valium in the vein....great....but i don't think thay do that either, anymore.

i'm a puss with the dentist.

last one i went to gave me triazolam to take right before i went there. i read up on it, on the internet, and never went back.

i need comfort....help!

 

[saint]

nitrous? i think i had that 30 years ago when i had my wisdom teeth yanked. is that the one where you go to sleep? nobody seems to do that anymore, at least around here they dont.

valium? i had 2 crowns around 1986 and he gave me valium in the vein....great....but i don't think thay do that either, anymore.

i'm a puss with the dentist.

last one i went to gave me triazolam to take right before i went there. i read up on it, on the internet, and never went back.

i need comfort....help!

The most important thing to know is that the anxiety is a completely normal thing. Regarding the specifics, here is a little bit more info:


Nitrous Oxide:

It is pretty much "laughing gas". It will not put you to sleep at all. You will feel a little tingly, then feel like you are floating/disconnected, and helps with anxiety. It's a type of euphoria, which is why stoners do it at concerts (whippets). It's extremely safe, is used in both kids and adults. Basically they put a little mask over your nose and you breath it in. You will be fully awake and conscious, just feel a little disconected. At the end of the procedure, they just administer 100% oxygen for a few minutes and you are all set.

Advanates of Nitrous: Works rapidly (5 min or less), depth of sedation can quickly be adjusted, no "hangover effect", no injection necessary (will still need one for dental procedures though), very safe.

Disadvantages: Nausea but that's pretty limited.

It's actually pretty fun, like being drunk but w/out the bloating.

Nitrous may also be referred to as "inhalation sedation".

Oral Sedation

As you said, you had valium via an IV. They will give you it orally...you just have to take 1-2 an hour pre-appointment and the night before. Triazolam (Halcion) is pretty much the same thing but has a shorter length of action. These can be good because they can calm you down (anti-anxiety) and some may produce a short term amnesia so you don't remember the appointment. It depends on the specific med used and the dosage. The downside is you need to have someone drive you to/from the appointment and you may be conked out the rest of the day. A common combination is the nitrous used with the triazolam.

With the oral sedatin you will also be conscious but "out of it".

IV Sedation

Pretty much where they knock you out completely, which it sounds like you don't want.


Please let me know if anything is unclear or if you have any other questions. Like I said, it's common and is something dentists are trained to help with.

 

[BahamaMama]

Jack, it's sodium Pentathol (sp?) that is used to knock you out completely, and that is only available with oral surgeons for MAJOR work, as i believe an anesthesiologist has to administer it... nitrous is some good stuff for leaving you not giving a crap about anything... in other words, it turns you into a woman

 

[saint]

Jack, it's sodium Pentathol (sp?) that is used to knock you out completely, and that is only available with oral surgeons for MAJOR work, as i believe an anesthesiologist has to administer it...

Actually some general dentists are certified to do IV sedations in office. They have to go through rigorous training and maintain certification either anually or bi.

As a pediatric dentist I will be trained to do IV sedation in-office. During the residency we spend 1 month in an anesthesiology rotation w/ the med students and then many hours training on patients. However w/ kids since medicaid usually covers it, it's better to have them put out in the operating room since in the OR it's on the anesthesiologists ass and not mine!

 

[The Boys]

CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE...... :scared :scared :scared

 

[beantownjim]

I HAVENT BEEN TO A DENTIST IN OVER 5 YEARS THE LAST DENTIST I WENT TO DR. RONALD GOLDMAN USED TO GO TO THE TRACK.WE WOULD TALK HORSES A LITTLE FOR SMALL TALK.I GOT A TIP FROM A FRIEND OF MINE I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE HORSE ROCHESTER AL GOLDMAN MUST HAVE LAID IT IN PRETTY GOOD THE HORSE WENT OFF 2/1 HE WAS 12/1 IN THE MORNING LINE.THE F-CKING HORSE BROKE DOWN ON THE TRACK AND HAD TO BE DESTROYED THE NEXT VISIT TO THE DENTIST I HAD TO HAVE A TOOTH PULLED.I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN GOLDMAN SAYS DONT WORRY BEANTOWN YOU WONT FEEL A THING I SAID HEY LISTEN RONNY ARENT YOU GOING TO GIVE ME GAS LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE,HE SAYS NO I DONT THINK THAT WILL BE NECESSARY THE F-CKING TOOTH GOT INFECTED I WAS ON PAIN KILLERS AND ANTIBIOTICS FOR 3 WEEKS NO MORE DENTIST'S FOR ME AND IF I DO GO I WONT DISCUSS GAMBLING WITH A DENTIST.

I LOOKED AT MY BILL AND THE GOD DAM JEW BASTARD RON GOLDMAN CHARGED ME FOR GAS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME SLEEP WHILE THE TOOTH WAS PULLED. :cursin: