Stress Center Peer Support

I'm on week 4 and very pleased with the program so far. Maybe it's because the Holidays are (finally) over or maybe it's because I have found some work (I'm a consultant) or maybe it's the program...but I'm feeling pretty good. Then this afternoon I found out I need some dental work. I've had a lot of this, and only one thing freaks me out: it's having those molds put in my mouth to make impressions. I feel like I'm going to gag or not be able to breathe. Soooo, I just learned I need a partial denture that requires a full mouth mold.

Does anyone have words of advice? I'm already planning to take at least one Xanax for the occasion! But what else? The procedure is on Feb.4, and I've decided to put it out of my mind until the date is closer. Nothing I can do anyway. But it would be nice to feel more okay about the worst part of the process. Extractions I can handle. It's the mold!

INFJ Lady,
It might help if its possible for you to look on the bright side. It's going to make your teeth healthier and stronger once the work is done. It's being done to help you not the other way around. Remember its only in the mind that you will gag, more times then not nothing will happen. Hang in there and keep in touch. You said it yourself there is nothing else you can do about it !!

I was terrified to have any dental work at all. I hadn't been to the dentist in 21 years, and I am 46...I came down with the worst toothache, ever. So, I had no choice but to face my fears..I went to the dentist, who referred me to an oral surgeon to have 4 teeth extracted...I couldn't have been more terrified if someone had a loaded gun to my head...I began using positive self talk and had people praying for me...I am on xanax for my anxiety disorder...I saw my family doctor the day before, and he told me to double up....So, I did...But, that didn't really do it either...I went down there really terrified, with every negative thought, you could imagine...including the breathing thing...Guess what??? That turned out to be the most pleasant dental appointment of my entire lifetime...I did research the night before over the internet...which, made me feel more in control...I refused the gas, and asked to be sedated using the benzos in my IV..I thought sure that I would be asleep during the entire process, and that scared me even more...But, I never went to sleep, and I wasn't even high...I felt so relaxed, but, was very alert...I felt so comfortable...This was yesterday, and am pain free..I never felt pain during the procedure, and never came out with a swollen face, and never felt bad at all...Instead, I felt so good mentally and physically...I can't believe how well it all turned out...It is amazing what a prayer can do...I suggest you find out as much information as you can about the molding thing on the internet, that way, you will feel more in control...Then, I suggest you use positive self-talk, because I have never heard of anyone smothering to death from a mold being made...I also suggest that you realize this is an irrational thought...fear...which is just false evidence appearing real...You are scaring your own self, just as I did...We can be good at that one...Then have people praying for you, that the Lord will comfort you...He did me...Using the internet can be a valuable resource, because you gain knowledge, and knowledge is power....Good Luck, and May God Bless You To Overcome This Fear!!!!

I went to the dentist on feb 4th to find out I needed 35000 worth of dental work. I, like you am very afraid. But I am afraid of the sedation. Afraid of being sedated and afraid of nto being sedated. Darned if I do, Darned if I don't I tell ya. I don't know how I will pay for it either and that stinks. I don't know how to get through this yet. I just added it to the growing pile of things to figure out.

Wow Lilkat... that's a lot of MULA!!!! well if you'd like go to a post I wrote today under the Spiritual Section which has a dental story... a very ironic dental story... I don't know where you're from but where I'm from we have colleges that specialize in dentistry that have dental clinics... These clinics charge half or more of what a normal dentist would charge... the only catch which I don't see a problem with is that students are working on your teeth.. However they are being supervised by very knowledgeable professional dentists... I am probably right up there with you as far as money goes... but I'm sure it'll be a lot less now that I've made my first appt... this coming Wednesday Good luck to all of you!!!

Hello Everyone. I was petrified of the molds that were needed to make a crown. I told the dental assistant my fear and she told me that she would sit in the room with me while the mold impression was forming. She filled the trays with the goop, had me bite down on it for five minutes. During that time, she constantly checked on the mold to make sure it was hardening. She asked if I wanted a magazine or headphones to listen to. She sat in the room right next to me and told me everything that was going to happen.

I think if you let the staff know your fears, they will walk you through the procedure. I think if you know what to expect, you will feel more in control.

Lilkat, I am so sorry to hear about your dental problems. I had about $11,000 worth of work last year. That included three dental surgeries to remove cracked roots (my anxiety caused me to clench my teeth when I slept and cracked the roots) and dental cysts, etc. If you have a dental college near you, you might want to have them take a look, they can do pretty much the same work for a lot less money.

Good Luck
LisaLisa