Horrible Dentist Experience

[stacey]

Hey everyone,

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

I had to return to my dentist because a tooth was bothering me, and I wanted to explore possible solutions. When I was told I needed a root canal, I immediately declined. However, the x-rays also revealed two cavities on the same side where I have tinnitus and hyperacusis. I was warned that if I didn't get them filled, they would eventually cause pain and complications.

I informed the dentist about my tinnitus and hyperacusis, thinking he would take that into account and try to accommodate me. But he just started drilling, and I immediately felt the sound in my ear. My hyperacusis reacted strongly, and I quickly stopped him.

I started crying and left with my mouth still numb from the anesthesia. I couldn't let him continue.

Since then, I've been trying to find options like "silent drills" or any alternative methods for treating my cavities. I've had 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 seems to understand or even try to accommodate.

 

[bSiDeQuiEtWaTeRS]

@stacey I'm so sorry that you had that experience. Be good to yourself.

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Nonna]

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

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Bill Bauer]

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.

Find a dentist that uses "electric or air-powered drills", see
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/dental-work-ruined-my-progress.21355/page-2#post-251467

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Bill Bauer]

But the real problem is the noise it makes when it's in contact with your teeth.

Is that noise quieter for the second type of the drill? Is that what they call " an electric" drill?

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Bill Bauer]

All drills are electric so I don't know.

"Electric" is what my dentist called them. She said she is getting them sometime this summer...

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Michael Leigh]

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/

 

[GregCA]

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.

 

[Foncky]

Dentists always tell me it's not used for serious cavities unfortunately.

 

[Bill Bauer]

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?

 

[Foncky]

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 !

 

[Jake007]

Maybe have them put you out while the work is being done.

 

[Bill Bauer]

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.

 

[Jake007]

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.

 

[Bill Bauer]

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).

 

[Jake007]

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.

 

[Bill Bauer]

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)...

 

[ebbie]

Girl if you wait too long you will have root canal in front of you and lots more drilling. Go to the dentist now!

 

[Bill Bauer]

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.

 

[Foncky]

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).

 

[Foncky]

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.

 

[Rubenslash]

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.

 

[Michael Leigh]

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

 

[Sen]

To consciously hear something is worse than to unconsciously in my opinion.

no, it's the same. ear physiology doesn't change when you're sleeping.

 

[stacey]

Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I am going Tuesday for a dental consultation to talk about my options such as waterLase, sandblasting or whatever else they have, I really hope that they have consideration and compassion. I hope they help me come up with a solution. The last thing I want is to need a root canal.