I am getting porcelain veneers soon and I have a sensitivity to things that can make my heart race, such as epinephrine. A friend of mine had veneers done about six months ago and she said the moment they put the topical agent on her teeth her hands began to shake. I am worried something like this will happen to me. Are there any alternatives to the Novocain?
Penny
Dear Penny,
While Novocain does have a minute amount of epinephrine in it. Your body actually produces more when you are experiencing anxiety. This is likely where your friend’s shaking originated because there is not enough epinephrine in Novocain to produce that type of reaction.
You are already a bit anxious about the appointment and the topical agent. As a result, this will magnify your body’s reaction. However, there is something you can do going into your appointment that will help you with this. In fact, it will relax you enough to where the topical agent can give you the numbing you need, without the anxiety you feel interfering with it and causing a reaction.
My suggestion is for you to see a cosmetic dentist who offers nitrous oxide. This is administered by a nosepiece, so you simply have to lay back, relax, and breathe. When the procedure is over, they will lower the nitrous and increase the oxygen. Within a few moments, you’ll be completely ready to get on with your day.
I’d like to offer one other piece of advice. I don’t know which dentist is doing your porcelain veneers, but this is a skill that requires a lot of post-doctoral training to do well. I would make certain he is willing to do a temporary try-in with your veneers when they come back from the lab. If there is anything you are not thrilled with, he or she should be willing to send them back and make the changes you need.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.