Going to the dentist tomorrow. Eeek! I'm feeling a little nervous. How have your experiences been at the dentist's after you were diagnosed with TN?
Well I do love my oral surgeon, but having an abscess which resulted in two teeth extractions all on side that has the most issues; well it made it worse. I has my last follow up since the extraction yesterday, and the oral surgeon confirmed its not pain for the procedure. He felt so bad about. This the first dental thing I’ve had done with tn. It has not been fun. I hope others can give a bit more happy expirance then mine. Right now I think my body just wants to take everything to the extrem even if I don’t want it to… It sucks.
I had a crown put on so no invasive stuff. I still increase my meds right before I went. I also used Nitrous but not many dentists use it anymore. I make sure it's at it's highest. But I think taking a little more of my meds (trileptal) did help but I had to have someone drive me. Good luck.
Thank you, Tkal...that helped. Good to know we don't always have to go into a flare up when we visit the dentist.
Sorry about your experience, Kari. I feel for you. Hope you recover soon!
Hi Vicki, when you have TN, going to the dentist can be nervewracking (no pun intended), so I absolutely understand why you are nervous. Because I have had a number of fractured teeth, I have been to the dentist/endodontist many times since ATN reared its ugly head. Invasive dental work (root canals/crowns) does tend to increase my pain levels for some time afterward (though I ultimately felt improvement in my symptoms once things calmed down). When I have gone in to have my teeth cleaned, it initially aggravates things, but then this dissipates. I think all of the poking and prodding “confuses” the nerves. One thing that helps is that my dentist/hygienist takes short frequent breaks in order to let me close my mouth and relax for a bit. It seems like a little thing, but it does make a difference. As tkal mentioned, a temporary increase in medication can help to keep the pain levels in check, so it might be worth asking your doctor about doing that, if you haven’t already. Also, there is some information about how to prepare for a visit to the dentist on the Face Pain Info tab up above that I have found really useful. I’d recommend checking it out if you have a chance.
I will be sending good thoughts your way. Please let us know how it goes.
Take care,
Chris
Thanks vikki. I think one of the large parts us I went with no idea about dental work and tn together. Next time I will be more prepared. Also I second with Tkal with nitrous. I did not have any problems during the procedure because of the nitrous. It was more the after affect. If you have the option for it, take it.
Thanks so much, Chris. I'll ask the dentist to give me frequent breaks and read the info. on this site. I appreciate the good thoughts, too. :)
~Vicki
Chris K. said:
Hi Vicki, when you have TN, going to the dentist can be nervewracking (no pun intended), so I absolutely understand why you are nervous. Because I have had a number of fractured teeth, I have been to the dentist/endodontist many times since ATN reared its ugly head. Invasive dental work (root canals/crowns) does tend to increase my pain levels for some time afterward (though I ultimately felt improvement in my symptoms once things calmed down). When I have gone in to have my teeth cleaned, it initially aggravates things, but then this dissipates. I think all of the poking and prodding "confuses" the nerves. One thing that helps is that my dentist/hygienist takes short frequent breaks in order to let me close my mouth and relax for a bit. It seems like a little thing, but it does make a difference. As tkal mentioned, a temporary increase in medication can help to keep the pain levels in check, so it might be worth asking your doctor about doing that, if you haven't already. Also, there is some information about how to prepare for a visit to the dentist on the Face Pain Info tab up above that I have found really useful. I'd recommend checking it out if you have a chance.
I will be sending good thoughts your way. Please let us know how it goes.
Take care,
Chris
Thanks, Kari. For some reason the Nitrous doesn't do anything for me. My doctor did give me Xanax so I'm hoping that helps. ;)
Have a good night,
Vicki
Kari said:
Thanks vikki. I think one of the large parts us I went with no idea about dental work and tn together. Next time I will be more prepared. Also I second with Tkal with nitrous. I did not have any problems during the procedure because of the nitrous. It was more the after affect. If you have the option for it, take it.
All the best Vicki, if it’s not too late one tip is to go to the TN illustrations here on this site (find by searching top of the page right) and print off a picture of the nerve path and I highlighted my TN pain sensitive pathways so my dentist could avoid these when he has to needle me. All the best and do come back and let us know how you fare.
All the best for tomorrow Vicki. Do let us know how you get on. My dentist wanted to take x rays but last time i had this done it caused a flare up so i was afraid too and refused, but then I think if there is a problem maybe I should know now and get it sorted rather then bury my head...... Thinking of you and wishing you a pain free appointment xxx
Thanks, Jackie and El. :). It went surprisingly well! I’m feeling a little more tightness but not much more pain.
I sure appreciate you both.
Hugs,
Vicki
Great news Vicki, you have encouraged me to have my x rays taken xx
thanks everyone. I just made my first dentist appt since TN. I’ve never been scared of dentist visits til now
Elstep and mrl, my neurologist gave me a prescription of Xanax to calm my anxiety and settle inflammation in my trigeminal nerve. I also took a slightly higher dose of my medicine the night before and the day of my dentist visit. Still feeling good so I guess it helped. 
Hope your appointments go well. Keep us updated!