Has anyone ever had a dental treatment called "scaling" done?

[jimmysgirl424]

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[tenofcups]

I HATE HATE HATE having my teeth cleaned. That said, I had scaling done and I don't recall it being any worse than getting my teeth cleaned the regular way. It sucked, but no more than a regular teeth cleaning, at least for me.

[TX Sweetheart]

*shudder* I hate having my teeth cleaned as well... seriously, I wish they'd knock me out for all dental procedures, even cleaning... I too have very sensitive teeth and gums and honest to God I almost punched the dental hygenist (sp?) in the face the last time I was at the dentist 'cuz it hurt so bad...

I'd definitely request that they give you novicane...

[irish74]

I've never had it done, but my husband has *twice*. He gets massive buildup around his gums. Both times he has had it done he was given laughing gas in addition to novacaine and he still complained a bit. So definitely tell the dentist that you will need something for the pain.

[KarenS]

If you have sensitive teeth and regular cleanings are painful, discuss this with your dentist. If he/she is unsympathetic, find another dentist. My mom was a dentist so this is a subject near and dear to my heart. There is no need to go to a dentist who doesn't respect your opinions to do with your OWN dental health. There is no reason that a dentist shouldn't be willing to give you some novocain if it will help you be more comfortable.

Now, on the flip side, the whole thing about being "knocked out" needs to be taken seriously. I realize that for a lot of people it doesn't seem like a big deal - "Just give me some nitrous" they say. Giving anesthetic is a SERIOUS business. It is a big deal. There are a lot of complications that come from "a shot of nitrous" - especially if you're having a lot of dental work done and are anesthetized regularly over a fairly short period of time.

I wouldn't ask to be knocked out unless you REALLY REALLY REALLY need to be. And if you insist on it, prepare for it to cost more - an anesthetic specialist will have to be used. It's not something that a dentist can just do.

Karen

[jimmysgirl424]

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[Daniel's Kitty]

I would go someplace else! I will not tolerate rude people at a dentist office.

[KarenS]

OH yeah ... definitely go somewhere else. There is no call for them to be rude about a request for pain management. Find someone who will work with you to make your visits less painful.

Karen

[katmg]

I really don't want to scare you, but I did want to share this story with you. My cousin gets fillings without any anesthetic and she said that scaling was more painful than that.

I would find a new dentist as well.

[hockeybrat]

I HATE HATE HATE having my teeth cleaned. That said, I had scaling done and I don't recall it being any worse than getting my teeth cleaned the regular way. It sucked, but no more than a regular teeth cleaning, at least for me.

Same here... except they could only do 2 quadrants one day and the other 2 the next day.

I have since gotten a Sonicare so I am hoping my next appointment won't be as bad.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[shopaholic]

wow, I've never even heard of this procedure too. I too have receeding gums (I guess its in my genes) and they suggested that I get a "gum graph"...OUUUUCH

[jimmysgirl424]

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[tenofcups]

I forgot to mention originally that, like hockeybrat, I also had it done on two different days, rather than one so they didn't have to do the whole thing at one time. I would definitely talk to them about the possibility of breaking it into two visits.


I'm very curious about the gum graft too. No one has ever mentioned that to me and I've been told for years that I have receding gums. Do you have any more info on it?

[shopaholic]

OK, now I am really freaked out, lol.

I have a dental appoint. on Monday so I hope its not brought up. I try not to brush hard on my gum lines.

Do you have an issue where sometimes the gums will actually hurt as though you can feel them receeding? I do not have any bleeding of the gums but just sometimes I have an aching.

[hockeybrat]

Oh jeez. They told me I am having all four quadrants done at once! I wonder if I should call and ask them to break it down into two visits? I am wondering if they want to do it all at once because of the fact that I have to take anitibiotics before the scaling? 2000 mg. of Amoxicillin because of the heart murmur that I was born with. Maybe they are concerned with me taking 4000 mg. of the stuff in short period of time?? :confused:

I wouldn't worry about it. This place I went to likes to do that I think so they could charge more to patients. They totally screwed me over for that with insurance so I am not going there again.

Before my "deep cleaning", I was there for a regular check up and they don't even clean/polish your teeth that day. They check your teeth, consult with you and then they make you come back another day for the cleaning.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[Bubeleh]

My hisband had scaling done and it was a mess, he bled like crazy, said it was the worse pain he has ever had in his mouth, and he was swollen for days. I would get a second opinion before doing this.

I actually had a gum graph in high school. The procedure was pretty bad but not too much post pain. Basically I have a gummy roof of my mouth and they took chunks of it and sewed it into my lower front teeth. It lasted for about 3 years then receded back to the same. It never got any worse or spread. Make sure you talk to your dentist about the lasting effects.

[irish74]

Oh jeez. They told me I am having all four quadrants done at once! I wonder if I should call and ask them to break it down into two visits? I am wondering if they want to do it all at once because of the fact that I have to take anitibiotics before the scaling? 2000 mg. of Amoxicillin because of the heart murmur that I was born with. Maybe they are concerned with me taking 4000 mg. of the stuff in short period of time??

I mentioned earlier that my husband was given both the gas and novacaine for his scaling. He also has a heart murmur and was given antibiotics to take prior and his was split into two visits because of the pain. Definitely talk to your dentist and I would seriously consider getting a second opinion. I understand that dental work isn't always painless, but this is pretty intense stuff and they should be making it more comfortable for you than it sounds like they are.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[irish74]

I don't know if your insurance would cover it or not, but it is definitely worth a call. Either way a quick exam and an estimate shouldn't run you more than $50.

[Anna Low]

I have had the scaling done, as well as surgery. And, they gave me lots of novacaine for the scaling! Per my own periodontist, that is why they only do it in quadrants---so you won't have a completely numb mouth.

Like others have said, look elsewhere for a sympathetic dentist. I am not a big dental wimp, in fact, I usually fall asleep while I am getting my teeth cleaned, but this scaling business was painful.

Good luck!

[Sare79]

I've had scaling and need to get it done a few times a year. Apparently it doesn't matter how good of a job I do at cleaning, it still needs to get done.
I don't get any freezing for it, because they don't think I really need it. I never even thought of asking for it.