ktspktsp: I have been through 2 of 4 3 hr visits to the dentist and i can help with some things from another patient's perspective:
1. My upper is much easier to numb than the lower. my doc said it was just bc of how the nerves are routed and how much harder it is to numb the lower. My rear right bottom took 7 full vials of stuff, 3 of which were some off teh wall stronger stuff that he didn't use often. I burn through it pretty quickly, apparently. I don't know why, maybe the caffeine i drink or my past reliance upon painkillers to get through the day. my upper took 2 and was much smoother. The bottom required sticking the needle directly into the nerve chamber of my tooth which ...well, let's just say i'm still trying to unclench from thinking about it. My last visit was EXCRUCIATING for the lower jaw, left side. Again, about 7 vials and 2 shots into 2 teeth directly into the nerve chamber (root canals). took forever to numb. He gave the first vial and went away, came back and NOTHING was numb. so 2 more, then did some work on the upper side that took less than one to completely numb for 2 hrs.. after 3 vials in the lower, i was numb for about 40 minutes, then had to re-numb to complete 1 canal, then numb again for the rearmost tooth to do a pulpotomy so i wouldn't have trouble between now and my next visit.
2. i have the same thing. apparently, the higher speed drill has cold water it sprays which my teeth are almost always sensitive to. either that, or the assistant just sprayed cold water in, but just thinking about ti makes me cringe. The slow speed drills dont' really bother me much comparatively.
and yeah, i hit the limit for anesthetic both times. I have been going for 3 hr sittings just to get hte most done in the shortest amount of time possible, and i have to be re-numbed repeatedly. The upper is NOWHERE near as sensitive or resistant as the bottom.
ah vell, lesson learned..don't neglect your teeth..i'm just happy i can replace or repair all the damage for under $12,000
