I went to the dentist today to get a root canal and she couldn't get my tooth numb enough to do the work. Eventually it triggered a CH, and I demanded that she stop. I can't lie still with a glaring light in my eyes, a cluster headache, and a tooth that is killing me.    [smiley=cry.gif]

Do any of you NOT respond much to dental anesthetic? My tongue got a little numb and my lip feels tingly but it is not numb at all.

My choices now are to go to a "specialist," where I have no doubt the same thing will happen, have the tooth pulled, or maybe try this sedation dentistry office that keeps advertising on TV. It's a second molar so I'm hesitant to have it pulled, but it would be MUCH cheaper and if the work triggers a CH, worth it. Has anyone had a tooth pulled?  What's that like?   :-/

I've had a total of 13 teeth pulled, but 11 of them were for orthodontic work when I was in 5th grade. The other two were wisdom teeth. Xylocaine works wonderfully for me, and I've had two root canals done along with 4 crowns and a bridge. Never had a hit triggered by dental work, although I have had my O2 tank with me on several occasions.

Did you ask the dentist to just pump some more in? My wife is the same way, and has had to have up to 5 shots to get the proper effect of total numbness.

And as far a the light goes, tell 'em! Use it to illuminate your mouth when getting the shot(s), turn it away while waiting, then ask for (or bring) a sleep mask for while they're working. Some valium might not hurt either.

She gave me 5 shots total, 3 in the jaw, two to the tooth, and the last one she said was "Surgical anesthetic" whatever that means. Everything got tingly but not at all numb and pressure and that cold spray of water killed.

You might have to go the sedation route.