They key is to find a dentist that can help you feel at ease and is really good at "no pain dentistry".
When I was 10 years old, a dentist decided my teeth were too big and pulled 4 molars out. He just got in there....gave some painful shots, and yanked around til my whole head felt like it was going to twist off! (At least thats what the 10 year old me felt like)
I was scared of dentists for years!

Then I found a couple dentists over the years that even when they give shots, I don't feel it. Confidence slowly returned.
No one likes having major work done at the dentist! I hope you can return to dental care with less fear!
Anymore I just tell them up front.....don't you dare hurt me.
I even made sure my daughter got gentle dentistry so she was not ever scared like I was.

I hope you find some relief soon whatever the cause may be.