So, I'm one of those people that is terrified of dentists. Apparently my jaw nerves go every which way but rational, and until I went here, I had never actually been numb for a dental treatment. I'd assumed "numb" meant "you can't feel your tongue and your lip is fat but expect random, blindingly intense lances of pain at the most shocking moments".
I just finished getting 2 crowns; one was a replacement that involved cutting an old crown off. My terror at the pain I was sure this would involve was palpable. I was shaking when they reclined the chair.
It never hurt. The doctor took so much time and care to make sure I actually understood what "numb" means in the real world, and now, a month later, my permanent crown in for only 2 days, for literally the first time since I got my adult teeth, my mouth doesn't hurt. Those teeth have always been sensitive; they've ached a little as long as I can remember every time I eat something hot or cold. I hated brushing them because it always felt like steel wool.
I had coffee and ramen for lunch today and it didn't hurt. It wasn't a small pain of ache I ignored. It didn't hurt. I very nearly cried. Thank you, best dentist ever!!!!!!