Chopper wrote:
Quote:
> I posted the text below several days ago and have received no feedback.
> Am wondering if no one wants to speak out against another member of
> "the club?
>
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> I have been going to a Periodontist who seems to be averse to using
> topical
> anesthetics.
>
> I am preparing to get a 4 quadrant "pocket reduction' (flap procedure)
> with the
> use of
> bone materials to enhance the stability of my gums and teeth.
>
> To date I have gone for quarterly cleanings by his Dental Hygienist who
> I ask to
> liberally
> apply topical anesthetic gel, which she does. I have some very
> sensitive areas
> in my
> gums.
> She wants to use the Cavitron device but I have found that to be
> unbearable and
> have
> even requested that I get Novacaine injections if she insists on using
> it but
> then strangely
> she changes her mind.
>
> Anyway, I am scheduled for a thorough pre-surgery cleaning by the
> Periodontist
> himself
> in a few weeks. When he does it he refuses to use a topical anesthetic
> saying
> that I
> should raise my fingers if the pain is too intense. Does this make
> sense?
>
> I have asked him about this and he says that he uses the patient's
> reaction to
> pain as his
> "limiting factor" when doing this cleaning work. I have had pocket
> reductions
> before and
> the now retired dentist always was generous in his use of Novacaine in
> cleaning
> and
> surgeries and it was relatively painless. I would think that allowing
> him to
> get to certain
> sensitive areas by numbing them would enhance his ability to clean
> those areas.
>
> Bottom line is that I am getting anxious about this forthcoming
> cleaning not to
> mention
> the surgery itself. He told me that of course he uses Novacaine when
> doing the
> surgery
> but I wonder if he bothers to apply topical gel to the area to be
> injected and
> does he give
> one sufficient Novacaine? He has also had his dental tools in my mouth
> when an
> assistant
> comes by his door for example and he leaves the drill or whatever
> running while
> he looks
> towards her and away from me.
>
> I have had a fair amount of Dental Work previously but have never had
> this type
> of
> trepidation before nor am I a complaining type of patient.
>
> The term "painless dentistry" is nonsense but am I supposed to endure
> torture
> sessions?
> That's a rhetorical question of course.
>
> Am wondering if I should just chuck him altogether?
>
>
> Any feedback will be appreciated.
|
There is no good reason not to use topical. However, most topical
doesn't work very well. I use it anyway--maybe more for placebo effect
than anything else.
My brother just read to me a blurb about a new (and of course very
expensive) topical called "Profound" and "Profound Lite" which are
supposed to be the bees knees. I may try a tube. It's manufactured by
Steven's Pharmacy in Costa Mesa CA. If any of the guys out there have
any experience with it I'd love to hear.
As for your periodontist--maybe this is just a peculiarity, but if he
in general does not seem sensitive to your anxiety about the treatment,
consider going elsewhere. Going to a periodontist is not a one-off--he
may have such a light hand you find you don't need topical, but this may
be a red light that he's not as attuned to your apprehension as he
should. You may spend a lot of time in his chair over the years in
maintenance, and you've got to think about that.
I should caution that while we want the periodontist who's the nicest
guy, the best diagnostician, has the best office staff, has the best
surgical technique, the best emergency coverage, the prettiest
auxiliaries and the sweetest breath, it's tough to find the whole
package in one man or woman. Their fees are high, and they don't take
your insurance!
Steve
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001