Horrible Dentist Experience

stacey

Member
Author
Aug 15, 2014
145
New York, NY
Tinnitus Since
07/15/2014
Cause of Tinnitus
Unknown
Hey everyone

Unfortunately I had a very traumatic experience last week that has pushed me over the edge.

I had to go back to my dentist because a tooth was bothering me so I wanted to see what were the solutions.

When I was told I needed a root canal I immediately declined.

But the x-rays showed I also had 2 cavities (on the side where I have T&H) and I was warned if I didn't get them filled they would also cause pain and problems.

I informed the doc about my T and H I thought he could accommodate me.

But he just started drilling and I immediately felt the sound in my ear my H reacted I quickly stopped him.

I started crying and left with my mouth numbed from the anastesia, I couldn't let him finish.

I have been trying to find anything such as "silent drills" that can be used for my two cavities.

No luck so I've decided I'll just have to deal with whatever tooth pain comes my way.

This is hell I can't even take care of my dental issues. And no dentist will understand or even try to accommodate.
 
No luck so I've decided I'll just have to deal with whatever tooth pain comes my way.
You can't do that. Pain is one thing, but those teeth will cause infections and you will have to pull them out if you don't want to treat them. That means you'll have to replace them with implants, and that means surgery, stress and drugs (and drilling as well).

Take care of it now, the more you wait, the harder it will be. Some drills are quieter than others. Just find a kind dentist, some of them will understand and do lots of pauses during drilling.

A root canal is not that noisy as they use slow rotating tools. Ask a specialist to do this part.
 
Hey everyone

Unfortunately I had a very traumatic experience last week that has pushed me over the edge.

I had to go back to my dentist because a tooth was bothering me so I wanted to see what were the solutions.

When I was told I needed a root canal I immediately declined.

But the x-rays showed I also had 2 cavities (on the side where I have T&H) and I was warned if I didn't get them filled they would also cause pain and problems.

I informed the doc about my T and H I thought he could accommodate me.

But he just started drilling and I immediately felt the sound in my ear my H reacted I quickly stopped him.

I started crying and left with my mouth numbed from the anastesia, I couldn't let him finish.

I have been trying to find anything such as "silent drills" that can be used for my two cavities.

No luck so I've decided I'll just have to deal with whatever tooth pain comes my way.

This is hell I can't even take care of my dental issues. And no dentist will understand or even try to accommodate.
This will sound crazy. But it works for me everytime I get a cavity type tooth pain. OIL Pulling, swish olive oil around your mouth for 20 mins. Stops my tooth pain for weeks
 
Guys please. Oil won't stop a cavity, that's just a bad idea. Pain is NOT the main problem.

Once a cavity starts, you have to stop it or you loose your teeth. Teeth are quite necessary.

I have severe H and I went through a lot of dental work over the last year. Sometimes we just don't have a choice. It is important to find the right dentist and the right way to do it though.
 
For what I saw, there are two kinds of drills :
- one is very fast (400 000 rpm) and noisy
- the other rotates slowly and is quite ok, but the work is longer with it and dentist won't use it unless you ask for it

But the real problem is the noise it makes when it's in contact with your teeth.
 
All drills are electric so I don't know.

As it rotates slowly, yes, I think it's a bit quieter during the drilling. But it's still far too noisy for someone with H.
 
Electric vs air-powered, ok I get it. Maybe that's what I'm talking about yes, electric ones.

They don't have this "shhshshhshshshsssss" high-pitched noise.
 
Hey everyone

Unfortunately I had a very traumatic experience last week that has pushed me over the edge.

I had to go back to my dentist because a tooth was bothering me so I wanted to see what were the solutions.

When I was told I needed a root canal I immediately declined.

But the x-rays showed I also had 2 cavities (on the side where I have T&H) and I was warned if I didn't get them filled they would also cause pain and problems.

I informed the doc about my T and H I thought he could accommodate me.

But he just started drilling and I immediately felt the sound in my ear my H reacted I quickly stopped him.

I started crying and left with my mouth numbed from the anastesia, I couldn't let him finish.

I have been trying to find anything such as "silent drills" that can be used for my two cavities.

No luck so I've decided I'll just have to deal with whatever tooth pain comes my way.

This is hell I can't even take care of my dental issues. And no dentist will understand or even try to accommodate.
It sounds like you stopped him just in time, and your T hasn't spiked. Hopefully those other drills will result in a different experience.
 
This is hell I can't even take care of my dental issues. And no dentist will understand or even try to accommodate.

I am sorry to hear about your experience at the dentist. The answer to your problem is that your tinnitus and hyperacusis need to be treated. From your description, I don't think this will improve without treatment since you've had these conditions since 2014. In my opinion the best treatment is: TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) This is a two part treatment.

It involves counselling (talk therapy) with a Hearing Therapist/Audiologist who's trained in the management of tinnitus. The 2nd part of the treatment is sound therapy. This requires the wearing of white noise generators that are fitted to the ears. They are worn for up to 10hrs per day. Over time they desensitize the auditory system and will cure your hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound). This treatment is expensive but since you have had these conditions for a long time and they haven't improved significantly, I think TRT is something you should consider trying if you want your conditions to improve. Good results are possible.

I wish you well.
Michael

PS: I suggest you click on the links below and read my two articles: Tinnitus, A Personal View and Hyperacusis, As I see It.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
 
All drills are electric so I don't know.

As it rotates slowly, yes, I think it's a bit quieter during the drilling. But it's still far too noisy for someone with H.

How about trying a laser? It's still experimental but it may be something to consider if the traditional drill is difficult to bear.
 
Dentists always tell me it's not used for serious cavities unfortunately.
Did they outright refuse to use it on you? Did you try offering to pay for the extra time it would take as a result of using this type of a drill?
 
The dentists who have a laser in my town only use it on gums so I didn't even have a choice.

About the "slow drill", my dentist is totally ok with it. He took the initiative to show me the differences and he offered to use it without me asking !
 
Maybe have them put you out while the work is being done.
 
Maybe have them put you out while the work is being done.
The dentist might then use his or her regular drill. You may want a relative to be present to ensure that this doesn't happen...

Then again, if she begins feeling her T spiking, it might be a good idea to stop the treatment right away, instead of finishing it and ending up with a screaming T.
 
The dentist might then use his or her regular drill. You may want a relative to be present to ensure that this doesn't happen...

Then again, if she begins feeling her T spiking, it might be a good idea to stop the treatment right away, instead of finishing it and ending up with a screaming T.
I meant for her to be under anesthesia so she hears nothing.
 
I meant for her to be under anesthesia so she hears nothing.
She will not be conscious, but her ears will still be there. Her ears could still be hurt by the sound...

She would not be able to provide feedback (end the drilling if the sound of the drilling seems to be increasing her T).
 
She will not be conscious, but her ears will still be there. Her ears could still be hurt by the sound...

She would not be able to provide feedback (end the drilling if the sound of the drilling seems to be increasing her T).
If I had to have drilling, dental work done, i would do it so I could not consciously hear it. To consciously hear something is worse than to unconsciously in my opinion. If you have to have the work done regardless, why would you want to go the torture being conscious.
 
The dentist could start using the loud drill while you are asleep (despite promising to use a quiet drill); you may want to stop the procedure if T goes through the roof (imagine what happens if you don't stop it)...
 
Girl if you wait too long you will have root canal in front of you and lots more drilling. Go to the dentist now!
 
If not for the hope that those newer drills are quieter than existing drills, I would rather pull out any teeth that require a filling, than risk louder T. You can have a food processor or a blender fulfill the role of teeth, but there is nothing out there to provide you with silence.
 
If I had to have drilling, dental work done, i would do it so I could not consciously hear it. To consciously hear something is worse than to unconsciously in my opinion. If you have to have the work done regardless, why would you want to go the torture being conscious.
Bad idea, you just can't protect yourself if you do that but you're still in danger (if not more).
 
If not for the hope that those newer drills are quieter than existing drills, I would rather pull out any teeth that require a filling, than risk louder T. You can have a food processor or a blender fulfill the role of teeth, but there is nothing out there to provide you with silence.
Excuse me but you can't say that.

Having missing teeth cause a whole lot of long term problems and suffering. Do you we need that in top of T ?

There are many things in life that will give us spikes, we can't avoid everything and I would certainly not avoid dental work.

If you have a T spike, it can still get better one day. If you pull out a tooth ? Nah, doesn't get better.
 
Bill, you are very new to T and at this moment probably not coping well, but you are offering dangerous advice sometimes imo. As @Foncky mentioned, the teeth problem should be treated.
 
Whilst you mean well @Bill Bauer and I like your enthusiasm for wanting to contribute to this forum. I have to agree with @Rubenslash. With respect, you're new to tinnitus and understandably going through a difficult time. However, your over zealousness regarding protecting one's hearing in fear of making tinnitus worse isn't really necessary. Just take things slowly....

All the best
Michael
 

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