Tooth extraction, need reassurance

[WifeofDJFLP]

Hi there

long story to get here but basically I broke one of my front teeth 20 years ago in an argument with a bridge and a bike, the tooth has been patched up til it breaks a little more then patched up again.

I am a terrible dental phobe (thanks to a nasty experience with a school dentist) and spent many years avoiding the dentist until pain and analgesia overdose drove me to to whatever dentist would have me, get patched up then cross my fingers till it happedned again. My teeth aren't pretty and a great source of anxiety for me.

Towards the end of last year, I pulled my socks up, bore my embarrasment and got myself a lovely (if expensive) dentist, who immediately declared it all "fixable" and made me feel really optimistic.

Tomorrow is d-day, I'm to have the front tooth out and a denture put in place with a view to having a brige fitted when I'm all healed (surrounding teeth have been root filled and are just waiting really).

I am so worried about the actual extraction and the denture. My dentist has painted a pretty bleak picture of recovery, with the disclaimer that if she makes it out to be awful then I'll feel great if it's not!

My job involves lots of meetings, including one on Friday morning but I don't expect I'll be able to attend without lisping and dribbling like a fool.

Can anyone offer me any reassurance.

WifeofDJFLP
xxx

[Toothsmith]

It'll be fine.

[belfastgirl23]

As a recovering dental phobe myself, WELL DONE on getting yourself in there. You should be very proud of yourself.

There are often threads on this board about people dreading dental treatment. I would have to say that I have never ever seen a thread where it was as bad as the person was expecting and in the main they feel a bit foolish about having wasted all that energy on dreading it. This will be you this time tomorrow :)

As for the meeting, if you feel a bit weird just say "sorry, recent dental treatment, don't mind me if I lisp a bit" and they will feel sorry for you and think you're incredibly brave.

Good luck, although you don't need it. And come back and post tomorrow night and tell us it was fine!

[Mrs pbradley936]

There is nothing to it. Although I had a toothache and wanted it out but it was so quick. Mine was a back tooth and I did not want/need a bridge or anything and the worst thing was feeling the gap with your tongue until it closed.

[judderman62]

last extraction I had, a molar, was a piece of cake (indeed probably too much cake resaon for state of my teeth but I digress) , took about 20 seconds for the actual extraction itself and did not hurt one bit.

Dribble away :p ;)

[xxlaurissaxx]

Dont worry you'll only dribble for the day its taken out if even that.
I just got a denture on Friday for my front tooth (top) as my bridge that has been in for 8/9 years kept falling out over the last 6 months.
Dentures dont hurt at all and the bridge is basically a false tooth with metal wings on each side that get glued on to the teeth next to it.
Honestly it doesnt hurt, but if you smoke try avaoiding smoking for at least a good few hours and if possible the whole day as its an open wound and you will get a very nasty and painful infection.

Good Luck and dont worry xx

[hethmar]

Just a thought - by the way, it will be easy peasy having the tooth out - but as a dental phobic myself and having steeled myself in the last two years to sorting out the ugliness of my smile - I take it he didnt think it was strong enough to take a crown instead of removal? You may then want to consider an implant after you get settled following the extraction.

Good luck

[WifeofDJFLP]

Well the tooth put up a bit of a fight, took loads of local, 45 minutes and two dentists to do it.

The denture feels weird and I'm really upset. The dentist gave me a "false teeth box" and some ploygrip as I left and I could've wept there and then!

I should expect a fair bit of bruising and pain tomorrow.

I'd love an implant, the implant dentist says it's ideal but alas I don't have the £2000.

I daresay I'll fell better when it's all fixed and I'm still really proud of myself, if a little weepy!

And I still like my dentist.

Thanks for all the messages.

xxx

[hethmar]

Well, glad you are home and safe. 45 minutes, my goodness, they are usually out in about 5 minutes. That must have been stressful for you. May be you could start an implant saving account :)

Dont smoke whatever you do- it can cause dreadful probs after an extraction! Theres a thought, if you are a smoker, packing up cigs would pay for an implant?

Best wishes xxx

[evenasus]

Pleased everything went ok for you and not a lot of pain.

I have had crowns on my front teeth for nearly 40 years.
Three years ago, a dentist managed, by hammering off a crown that had been put on with temporary (HA) glue, It was stuck like superglue.
Anyway, he managed to crack the root canalled root.

I went to another dentist, as I didn't trust that one anymore and had to have the tooth pulled (almost fell out) and an implant.

The denture I had while the tooth removal healed, did make me speak with a lisp and wasn't the most comfortable of things.

I had an implant a few months later, which is brilliant, especially after wearing the denture.

As you say though, darned expensive.:eek:

[hethmar]

Well worth it though even - I bet you feel a hundred times better with it :)

[McKneff]

I have had both my front teeth out at different times and did not bruise at all, It wasnt even sore next day and i had my denture in as soon as my tooth was taken out. You dont need to take your denture out at night,

[belfastgirl23]

Well done to you!

Be gentle with yourself over the next day or two - I do find that the anaesthetic can make me feel a little bit woozy. And don't be afraid to take painkillers if you are uncomfortable....

[Teerah]

You dont need to take your denture out at night,

Actually you really should take out your denture at night, its much better for the health of your remaining teeth and the underlying soft tissues

[hethmar]

Yes, my friend got thrush through leaving a small denture in at night.

[frankie55]

HI, Ive had several traumatic tooth extractions over the years and fought for seven years to retain crowned teeth at the front upper section of my mouth, implants not suitable as I'm type 1 diabetic and that is the cause of so many of my problems. I've even been to the dental hospital and had the top consultant in the country try to save my eye toothe which carried my bridge, it only lasted four years until the whole lot fell out!! I now have a partial denture and last July had a front tooth removed in ordinary hospital, full monty, bed on a ward and done in an operationg theatre with a full compliment of staff! this was due to my general health, I had a new denture placed at the same time and it took less than a week to heal up. I was advised not to re,ove the denture for a few days until the clot in the gap had settled, I was fine the next day and could talk easily thogh I didn't want to eat in front of people.
I was at the dentist on Wednesday for my usual check up and he was very pleased that my teeth were is such good condition, I didn't need to have plaque removed or anything, but, I did get a sonic toothbrush for Christmas and the higher standard of cleaning more than justifies the cost of the toothbrush, half price at Boots. I'f recommend one to anyone with problem teeth, they are weird to get used too leaving your mouth tingling for quite a while after cleaning, but it saved me the cost of dental cleaning after using it for only three weeks.

[worried jim]

If you are really nervous the dentist can give you a sedative injection (about £20) and you are still fully aware of what is happening- you just couldn't care less ! I had one for root canal and 3 seconds after the needle in my arm it was like being the most pis*ed you have ever been- If I am honest it was a really nice experience !
I wish you all the best for tomorrow- post back and let us know how it went.

[hethmar]

Funny isnt it Jim, but the thing Im most frightened of is anaesthetic of any kind. Feeling that p*****d would freak me out. I like to feel I am in some sort of control of myself - rather have a bit of pain than be out of control.

(Oh, the OP has been and come back by the way - safe and sound but a bit traumatic by the sounds of it)

[worried jim]

so pleased everything is ok. all the best !

[WifeofDJFLP]

Thanks everyone

I'm feeling much better today. A bit sore but not as bad as you'd expect after all the digging and pulling!

Denture looks fab compared to old tooth and the colour match is fantastic. :DI am much more smiley than I was, not having to self-sonciously cut it short anymore. I'm taking a break from the dentist for a month and going back in March for a couple of small bits then hopefully can get my bridge in April.

The denture plate is not a perfect fit but good enough and I'd rather not pay to have another one made up as its only temporary, I was on a diet anyway so it's just made it a little bit easier to resist snacking!

I also managed to chair a meeting this morning, only sounding a little like Sean Connery!


So I'm well on my way to a hollywood-ish smile (not sure I'd want one of them TBH) wishing I'd done it years ago and hoping that my dentists kids are worthy of the years at uni I'm funding!

Thanks again for being helpful and interested.

wifeofDJFLP
xxx

[Mely]

Im so pleased that all has gone well for you, and you must be so proud of yourself that you faced your phobia of dentists! xxxx