Pain free dentistry

[connda]

I've been in CM for about 8 years. I've employed at least 7 different dentists. I've gone out of my way to explain that I am highly sensitive to tooth pain, and they will probably need to use additional anesthetics and the injections may need to be in places other than what is effective for 95% of the rest of their patients.

Every, and I mean every dentist has eventually failed to numb a tooth they were working on. The universal response is a look of dismay and a retort like, "I no understand. I give you injection. You stay still, we done soon" as I'm in exceptional pain. I never had this happen in the United States.

I'm literally afraid to go to a dentist although I need work done. I'm pass worrying about cost. I desperately need a dentist that has competence in their ability to provide pain-free, palliative care during dental procedures. I'm desperate at this point. I can't sit through another torture session, and I'm tired of dentists who either don't care or don't have the English language skills to understand me. Help!

[mesquite]

You're the only one I've ever heard of with this problem here in CM. You've started topics on this before. Hard to believe you will get any different advice. Why have you endured "torture" for years? Try Bangkok.

Maybe you enjoy posting this kind of topic?

2013:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651602-pain-and-dentistry-in-cm/

2011:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/469932-looking-for-a-pain-free-dentist-in-chiang-mai/

Edited December 28, 2014 by mesquite

[Seligne2]

I posted these 3 dental clinics. I recommend Mukmai. He's great. https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai#Cope

[zippydedodah]

my suggestion would be to go to a clinic which provides Nitrous... an excellent pain reliever, especially when used in conjunction with the injections... this is the

only way i could get major dental work done in USA. Sadly, to the best of my knowledge, there are only 2 clinics in town that provide Nitrous and there is

a surcharge of 1500 baht, last time i checked. I feel your pain!

[Dante99]

You have been unsuccessful getting what you want for years here in CM with the dentists and with this forum. Try someplace else. Since you are past worrying about cost, fly to Singapore on Silk Air, stay in a 5 star hotel, enjoy great food and have your dental work done at the Singapore General Hospital or go back to the States.

[mynameisphil]

Family Clinic, near Wat Phasing in the old city. Guy there speaks perfect English and does a great job.

Had a molar out a few weeks back and told him I was sensitive so he gave me numerous injections until I gave the ok, when half my body was numb, let alone my mouth.

[connda]

You're the only one I've ever heard of with this problem here in CM. You've started topics on this before. Hard to believe you will get any different advice. Why have you endured "torture" for years? Try Bangkok.

Maybe you enjoy posting this kind of topic?

2013:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651602-pain-and-dentistry-in-cm/

2011:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/469932-looking-for-a-pain-free-dentist-in-chiang-mai/

I mean no disrespect, but yeah, I've posted this before on more than one ocassion. I get hurt, try another dentist, get hurt again, try another dentist. With the number of dentists in CM, you'd think that one may be able to work without causing pain. I''m sorry you don't understand how much this freaks me out that you can only reply with sarcasm. But I'll keep posting until I can find a dentist that can actually achieve a pain free routine. Try putting yourself in my situation. Everyone has different pain thresholds. Tooth pain for me while being drilled on is excuciating. On the other hand, a can have hypodyermic needles poked in me and I barely feel anything. I can get sutures with very little anestetic. You have no empathy, but thank you, honestly, for reposting those old links. I'll review them too. I wish you a life without suffering - truly. May your life be lived without pain.

Edited December 29, 2014 by connda

[connda]

Family Clinic, near Wat Phasing in the old city. Guy there speaks perfect English and does a great job.

Had a molar out a few weeks back and told him I was sensitive so he gave me numerous injections until I gave the ok, when half my body was numb, let alone my mouth.

Thank you for the information. That's what I'm looking for. A dentist that will communicate with me until the pain is gone.

My last experience was with a dentist who both my wife and I spoke with at length about how sensitive my teeth are. She was able to do two of my upper teeth without pain, but I have problem getting my lower teeth numb. So when I told her I wasn't numb when she was working on my lower molar, she literally gave me the same dismayed look I've seen over and over again. All she needed to do was give me another injection. Anyway, I'm not completely done with them yet. They have an excellent periodontist and the owners has done dental surgery on me without a problem. But I've got another lower molar I'm having issue with. Family Clinic may be my answer for this particular tooth.

[connda]

You have been unsuccessful getting what you want for years here in CM with the dentists and with this forum. Try someplace else. Since you are past worrying about cost, fly to Singapore on Silk Air, stay in a 5 star hotel, enjoy great food and have your dental work done at the Singapore General Hospital or go back to the States.

Your sarcasm is noted.

May you be free for suffering - truly. I wish you good life, and freedom from pain.

Edited December 29, 2014 by connda

[elektrified]

In defense of the OP, I've had similar problems. I've had a couple of extremely painful procedures here; even with anesthetic. I will be trying Elite Clinic on the recommendation of a couple of trusted members. I'll report back on how it goes.

[Cheesekraft]

they do a very poor job at numbing the mouth here as they are scared of giving proper painkillers during operations. worst case, you can take some of the strongest OTC painkillers (I think codeine is available/legal?) preemptively and that should help. NOS will work but its probably very costly; imagine bumrungrad or similar in bangkok would offer it.

[JulieM]

I've had great success with the BIDC (Bangkok International Dental Center) and always go to them in Bangkok for major work. I have tried three dentists in CM with dismal results.

[uptheos]

In defense of the OP, I've had similar problems. I've had a couple of extremely painful procedures here; even with anesthetic. I will be trying Elite Clinic on the recommendation of a couple of trusted members. I'll report back on how it goes.

My experiences at Elite have been good.

I've only used three dentists there Dr. Joy for root canal work and Dr. Min for post and crown, plus some small fillings and Dr. Benjaporn for cleaning.

When I first went, I made it perfectly clear that I'd had a bad experience in the past, was anxious and I want them to be liberal with the anaesthetic. They wrote it on the front of my card and I reminded them each time I went in, lots of anaesthetic and they wouldn't start until absolutely sure I could feel nothing.

I think it's a question of being pro-active and making sure they understand and agree with your request and at the slightest hint of pain put your hand up and they will stop.

Dr. Joy is the best endodontist I've come across, but I'm not sure if she's back from maternity leave.

Dr Min is a lovely accommodating person, who does some really good work.

Dr. Benjaporn is satisfactory for cleaning, but not as good as the German trained lady Dr. Jarunee who owns Empress.

I can't speak for any other dentists that Elite might use

Edited December 29, 2014 by uptheos

[uptheos]

they do a very poor job at numbing the mouth here as they are scared of giving proper painkillers during operations. worst case, you can take some of the strongest OTC painkillers (I think codeine is available/legal?) preemptively and that should help. NOS will work but its probably very costly; imagine bumrungrad or similar in bangkok would offer it.

Only available from a hospital.

[zippydedodah]

they do a very poor job at numbing the mouth here as they are scared of giving proper painkillers during operations. worst case, you can take some of the strongest OTC painkillers (I think codeine is available/legal?) preemptively and that should help. NOS will work but its probably very costly; imagine bumrungrad or similar in bangkok would offer it.

Only available from a hospital.

but if tramadol works for you (it doesn't work for everyone)... try one or more of those, about an hour before your appt... that MIGHT help

[Konini]

I've always had a problem with dentists, not because I'm sensitive to pain, but I have the constitution of a horse. Whenever I have a new one, I always tell them whatever it is they inject they'll need double the usual amount. They never, ever believe me and it ends up with them and me wasting at least half an hour by the time the 2nd injection (which they always have to give me) starts working. This is since I was seeing the school dentist, pethidine has the same non-effect on me.

I found an excellent dentist at Chiang Mai Gate, he's cheap and all of his customers apart from myself are Thai. He speaks good English and does a great job. He's on the moat road heading towards Siam Electric, pretty much looking out onto the gate itself, on the corner of the soi opposite the hairdresser's supplies shop with all the beauty parlour chairs are on the pavement.

I had a wisdom tooth removed, a 4 tooth bridge/crown and a filling - he was poking around and whirring a bit on the tooth that needed filling, I told him about needing extra medication to numb it and all of a sudden he was finished! I didn't realise that he had started, thought he was just inspecting it. First time I've ever had a filling without an injection, let alone 2 of them. Without denigrating them, he said that in the west dentists automatically do it because they aren't careful enough, in Asia where money is more important they learn to be very careful (if they aren't they get their fingers bitten as a natural reaction).

He doesn't do cosmetic work. Highly recommended.

[cloudhopper]

Without denigrating them, he said that in the west dentists automatically do it because they aren't careful enough, in Asia where money is more important they learn to be very careful (if they aren't they get their fingers bitten as a natural reaction).

Classic Thainess at its best.

[mesquite]

I needs lots of anesthetic and I let them know that. The shots take a long time and I am numb. Sometimes I can taste the anesthetic as it overflows into my mouth.

I don't see why the OP hasn't gotten similar results, unless maybe he goes to a cut rate dentist.

[elektrified]

Without denigrating them, he said that in the west dentists automatically do it because they aren't careful enough, in Asia where money is more important they learn to be very careful (if they aren't they get their fingers bitten as a natural reaction).

Classic Thainess at its best.

+1

[mesquite]

I've always had a problem with dentists, not because I'm sensitive to pain, but I have the constitution of a horse. Whenever I have a new one, I always tell them whatever it is they inject they'll need double the usual amount. They never, ever believe me and it ends up with them and me wasting at least half an hour by the time the 2nd injection (which they always have to give me) starts working. This is since I was seeing the school dentist, pethidine has the same non-effect on me.

I found an excellent dentist at Chiang Mai Gate, he's cheap and all of his customers apart from myself are Thai. He speaks good English and does a great job. He's on the moat road heading towards Siam Electric, pretty much looking out onto the gate itself, on the corner of the soi opposite the hairdresser's supplies shop with all the beauty parlour chairs are on the pavement.

I had a wisdom tooth removed, a 4 tooth bridge/crown and a filling - he was poking around and whirring a bit on the tooth that needed filling, I told him about needing extra medication to numb it and all of a sudden he was finished! I didn't realise that he had started, thought he was just inspecting it. First time I've ever had a filling without an injection, let alone 2 of them. Without denigrating them, he said that in the west dentists automatically do it because they aren't careful enough, in Asia where money is more important they learn to be very careful (if they aren't they get their fingers bitten as a natural reaction).

He doesn't do cosmetic work. Highly recommended.

This is good. So if the OP goes to your dentist by CM gate, he will be pain free and will never have to post about this again.

[circusman]

I have had extensive dental work done in the last 30 years. Honestly never had to endure pain. NEVER. Unless your an alien novacaine should work for everyone. Perhaps the pain is only in his head?

[Thailand]

I have never been to a dentist where I do not suffer pain of some sort whether is be from the drilling,prodding, injections etc.

I only ever go as a last resort,usually with six months of meditation prior to making an appointment. Could never understand how anyone could choose dentistry as a profession, apart from the money aspect.

Dentists and pain, they go together.

Bit like bones and fish. I am often told there are no bones in this fish and in the next instant I have a bone stuck in my gums.

Rarely eat fish and hardly ever go to the dentist. ( I do clean and floss well) (- The teeth I mean!

[Sparkles]

Don't some dentist here in CM still use the old style "happy gas" procedure. I don't need it as over the years injections have improved immeasurably but can't say I look forward to a trip to the dentist and subsequent white coat fever

[circusman]

I have never been to a dentist where I do not suffer pain of some sort whether is be from the drilling,prodding, injections etc.

I only ever go as a last resort,usually with six months of meditation prior to making an appointment. Could never understand how anyone could choose dentistry as a profession, apart from the money aspect.

Dentists and pain, they go together.

Bit like bones and fish. I am often told there are no bones in this fish and in the next instant I have a bone stuck in my gums.

Rarely eat fish and hardly ever go to the dentist. ( I do clean and floss well) (- The teeth I mean!

Drilling causes pain ? If you had injections first I don't believe you can have pain. Just can't believe it.

[Thailand]

I have never been to a dentist where I do not suffer pain of some sort whether is be from the drilling,prodding, injections etc.

I only ever go as a last resort,usually with six months of meditation prior to making an appointment. Could never understand how anyone could choose dentistry as a profession, apart from the money aspect.

Dentists and pain, they go together.

Bit like bones and fish. I am often told there are no bones in this fish and in the next instant I have a bone stuck in my gums.

Rarely eat fish

and hardly ever go to the dentist. ( I do clean and floss well) (- The teeth I mean!

Drilling causes pain ? If you had injections first I don't believe you can have pain. Just can't believe it.

There you go,just one of life's anomalies. Believe, it will set you free.

Do your injections hurt or is it just part of the fun?

[connda]

they do a very poor job at numbing the mouth here as they are scared of giving proper painkillers during operations. worst case, you can take some of the strongest OTC painkillers (I think codeine is available/legal?) preemptively and that should help. NOS will work but its probably very costly; imagine bumrungrad or similar in bangkok would offer it.

Only available from a hospital.

but if tramadol works for you (it doesn't work for everyone)... try one or more of those, about an hour before your appt... that MIGHT help

Thanks for the suggestion Tram is great as a mood enhancer, but it's sh*t for actualy alleviating pain. Well, in my humble opinion, and at least for me, this is rright on - I've taken Tram.. You need to understand. I'm an old dude. I probably know more about pharmacology then most on this forum. But don't go there....you don't know my background. Also understand that most Thai doctors would rather give you para for a broken bone or kidney stone than risk turning you into a raging narcotic addict by perscribing an opiates - obviously, all Thais are Arahants who can let go of pain <yes! sarcasm, and well deserved>. Obvously most Thai doctors have never done a residence in a Western hospital where the initial administration of opiates is combined with a gradual withdrawal program. A very good friend of mine was in a major motorcycle accident. Opiates were no issue as part of his recovery, but then again neither was his withdrawal.

However -- If you are a doctor, if you disagree with me, if you can source your methodologies used here in the Land of Smiles with it's abject lack of pallative care, feel free to chime in. But if you have a bias and nothing to back it up with, please stay out of the topic.

May you be free from suffering.

Thailand is about 50 years behind in pallative care. Prove me wrong -- and source your contridictions. .

[Seligne2]

You pose a question and then denigrate our good faith efforts to help? Sheesh!

[connda]

they do a very poor job at numbing the mouth here as they are scared of giving proper painkillers during operations. worst case, you can take some of the strongest OTC painkillers (I think codeine is available/legal?) preemptively and that should help. NOS will work but its probably very costly; imagine bumrungrad or similar in bangkok would offer it.

Only available from a hospital.

but if tramadol works for you (it doesn't work for everyone)... try one or more of those, about an hour before your appt... that MIGHT help

Thanks from your suggestion. I do appreciate it. But FYI, it's close to impossible to get Tram without a perscription in Thailand. This is a relatively recent development. Again, everyone should be an Arahant who can be beyond the realm of pain here in Thailand. If you need pain meds, well, you are somehow a lowlife, deficient human being - maybe a rice farmer or someone from the rural part of Thailand <if you don't get the sarcasm and totaly disregard of HiSo bigotry, then your just plain ignorant>, but than again, I'm sure the HiSo level of Thai society can aquire opiates.. By the way, I have about 1000% more respect for rice farmers, then say, the CEOs of major corporations, or completely deficient Health Care Co-Op and insurance companies based either here in the LOS or elsewhere. . .

To me, not perscribing readily available opiates is a complete disregard of the ability to alleivate suffering in humans by using what God put on this planet - Poppies - but then again, I'm not your normal Buddhist. And I'm obviously not a Thai doctor - I actually have a sense of empathy for the sufering of other beings, something that seems to be devoid in the Thai healthcare system.

Edited December 29, 2014 by connda

[connda]

You pose a question and then denigrate our good faith efforts to help? Sheesh!

Sorry. I did see your post and did look at the links. Good info and many thanks.

I apologize only to the extent that some individuals seem to think this is some kind of a joke, and that using sarcasm and ridicule is somehow appropriate. I responded directly to them. Your suggestions were well recieved. I thank you! No problem with the misunderstanding.from me.

Edited December 29, 2014 by connda

[elektrified]

I have had extensive dental work done in the last 30 years. Honestly never had to endure pain. NEVER. Unless your an alien novacaine should work for everyone. Perhaps the pain is only in his head?

Novocaine? That hasn't been used in years.