Hi Hannah1234,
Glad I could try and give you suggestions. The dentist is not a fun time for sure but then neither is rsd haha. I do know that silver fillings release metal toxins into your body and after many years like I have had them they can leak into your bloodstream. So alot of doctors want them to be taken out and changed with the white filling which are not covered in most dental plans so you may have to pay the difference for them.

My dentist uses two different types of drills. One is quieter and not as strong with vibrations and the other one is horrible and I can't even stand it when he turns it on. So, I try to let him know I don't like the louder one. He said it makes cleaning the decay out easier but for me it makes me worse. It causes more vibrations and burning pain in me. Don't be afraid to speak up and tell your dentist (or anyone else) what you need and don't need for them to do to make your life easier. You are the consumer and should be as comfortable as possible esp with rsd. It is such a juggling act all the time.

Ballerina mentioned above about the epinephrine and I know my dentist told me before that they use that for all their patients but he does not use it for me. I am sooo sensitive to touch/cold/sound/etc. I believe he said it works like an enhancer for the numbing pain to work faster or longer I can't remember which one it is.

Also, the doctors use both fast-acting and slow-acting novacaine or a mixture of both. He still uses needles which hurt me for days but he and his staff accomodate me all the time (and he takes payments). For whatever reason I cannot use the fast-acting one because it causes my ears to clog up, I get dizzy lying flat, and I feel like I am going to faint. The medicine is called Mepivicaine 3%. I used it many years and then in the last year I started having a reaction to it. I had a pain patch and thought it reacted to that but I've been off of it and still have the reaction so it is just not good for me to use.

I think it is also important for me to get a really good night's sleep (or at least try) the night before any dental appts (as with anything) and I try to schedule it when my pain is usually lower (mornings are not good for me at all). You have to do whatever keeps you relaxed...if you need Xanax, Tylenol, etc. use what you need. Best of luck to you and let us know how you make out with your dental visit. Hope some things will help you.
kathy d