Dentist chair and positioning!

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My neighbour had a bad car accident that seemed to stave off her back issues for around 10 years afterwards.

I’m going to be positive
After being on crutches for a while and coming off high dose steroids I had pins and needles in neck and shoulder stiff shoulder and jaw pain. Dentist couldn’t find any problem but following my visit there was a considerable improvement which I put down to the angle of his chair
Presumed it realigned something so used similar position at home.
Within a relatively short time all problems resolved themselves.

I have reported an up-post - resurrecting an old thread by advertising.

I think most people hate going to the dentist, but it’s a necessary evil unfortunately. It’s worth understanding why the dentist needs to recline the chair, it’s not only about access to your mouth, it’s also because they need to be comfortable when working themselves too, as there is a much higher prevalence of back and neck pain in dentists than average because they are stooping down to work all day every day. Good luck OP, I’m sure they will be accommodating if you tell them how much discomfort you experience.

My dentist reclines the chair normally, my husband tells a tale about his previous lady dentist, she used to sit on a stool behind the chair and recline the chair right back. This meant his head was nestling in her bosom, I guess she was popular with all the men. Then the practice went private only, now he has a brusque Scotsman, poor soul.

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I will say it again - for back and neck issues (which I have) wear trousers/pants/jeans so you can bend your knees upward to alleviate any pressure you feel by lying straight (that is very uncomfortable if you are reclined down and back). To help your feet from sliding around on the chair wear sneakers or rubber soled shoes. Wearing pants - no one can see anything.

I can help you with this pressure and pain issue but I cannot help with your anxiety.
Like kittylester says “none of them are sadists.”

JdotJ

I agree; you are so far tipped backwards that, if I'm wearing a dress, I panic that 'everything might be on show'

You could always wear a high neck top if you know you are going to the dentist.

Dentists are all human and any stress you feel will transmit itself to them. Talk to them.

None of them are sadists.

As I have a small curvature of the spine I need my dentist to be considerate with the chair and she very much is because she asks if I’m comfortable then she’ll adjust the chair to a position of comfort

I do not hesitate going to the dentist she and the hygienist are both so friendly and considerate. it’s not cheap but worth the sacrifice. I say look around I know it’s not easy put your review of your dentist on social media he or she will soon get the message. Good luck.

I would mention it before you go and say you are feeling anxious about it.
I did, and my dentist has done everything he can to make sure I am comfortable before he starts and during treatment he asks.
I managed an hour and a quarter appointment recently and I was really nervous beforehand.

I think calling and discussing with the practice manager is a good idea.
Do it soon!
Good luck.

Take your own neck pillow.
That said, my dentist is fantastic. I couldn't breathe so he raised the chair until I was comfortable. I was have root canal treatment which is difficult at the best of times, yet he managed perfectly well with me in a near sitting position.
Your dentist needs to listen to you, otherwise change dentist.

orly

Last time I went to the dentist suffering with toothache I told him I'd rather have a baby and he replied "we'll make your mind up - I've got to adjust the chair"

I do like a dentist with a sense of humour

Whenever I see a dentist - and if one was available currently, which they are not in my city - I always ask to keep the chair fairly upright. I suffer with both fear of the dentist and needlephobia, being reclined sends me straight into a panic attack.

Change your dentist? You’ll be lucky, they are rarer than hen’s teeth.

I have the same issue. I avoided the dentist for nearly 10 years simply because I was scared of being tipped back - not just the discomfort, but the sensation of sliding off backwards.

Eventually I had to go, so feeling stupid I emailed the surgery with my worries - and the reply was fantastic!! The dentist is so careful and reassuring, and his nurse also aware, and over the years (regular appointments now!) I've managed to go quite a bit further back.

I have always found backwashes painful. I once walked out of a local hairdressers cos the hair-wash girl applied conditioner without asking me, which meant I was twice as long on the bowl and despite my protestations she insisted she had to wash it out. I saved her the trouble and never went back. My regular hairdresser is perfect.

Just tell them, don't be shy cos you will not be the only one.

Had appointment with Hygienist. She was alone and tried to do her job whilst hanging this water collector tool in various position. It kept falling off, jamming on my tongue, water in my ears!... It was so uncomfortable. Now I have mouth ulcers on one side. Will complain.

I thought it was just me. I find it most uncomfortable lying down flat. I constantly need to keep swallowing and this is so much more difficult when lying down. I always feel as if I am going to choke. Plus, the constant aches and pains from arthritis in my neck and lower back pain. The actual dental work seems not so bad after all that!

I suggest you wash your own hair before going to the hairdressers. I read once that a client died by twisting her neck on the basin.

My dentist is great always asks if I’m comfortable before he starts. Only thing I don’t like is he doesn’t put bib on you anymore or let you use the water to gargle if you need to for covid used to before so now I take a bottle of water with me should I need to gargle etc

Apart from finding a different dentist who has learned how to position her chair so it corresponds to her patient's needs I cannot suggest anything.

My dentist makes quite sure his patients are comfortable before beginning treatment.

If yours hasn't, I suggest you take your back X-rays with you next time, and tell her exactly where you need support, so you don't have a sore back and neck for days afterwards.

It is the hygienist who is worse than the dentist, both in the positioning and the treatment. Last time I insisted that I could not lie flat and I was given a small cushion which helped.

I’m in the latter half of my 70’s, have neck and spine problems due to previous fractures, so the most important thing for me when I go to the dentist is - the CHAIR.

The best positioning for me is low and almost flat. My dentist is completely concerned how comfortable I am, offering me a neck roll for support and even has a small fan to keep air circulating around me.

I also always wear pants so I can bend my knees upward (wear rubber soled shoes to keep your feet from sliding) to alleviate the pressure off my back. I’m totally relaxed. But I am one who is NeveR afraid to go to a dental appt because I want to preserve my teeth, I want the Dentist to be able to function at the best level and positioning in order to get the work done quickly so I can get out of there!

Old ladies are overly anxious and wishing for the old time upright torture chairs and think it’s the only way to get you teeth attended to. Those days are over - newer innovations in Dentistry will keep you comfortable and relatively pain free. If you scrap with your Dentist and are resistant they will become crabby just like you.
Relaaax!
USA Gundy

My dentist reclines my chair so my head is just a bit higher than my feet. He scoots about on a stool with castors. I have spinal and neck problems and it's not a problem. And he is the first dentist I have been happy to see for regular checkups since I was 21.