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Help - Just back from Dentist - Terrified!

Hi, have just been to my dentist and am now terrified!

I have a rear bottom wisdon tooth which although not fully errupted (one corner has never made it through cos not enough room) has only ever given me trouble on about 3 occasions in the 32 years I have had it:D .

However, this year in April, I bit on something hard, and it became infected and I had an abscess which responded to antibiotics.

About three weeks ago now I had another abscess - again after biting into something and feeling something sharp actually dig into the gum. My Dentist at this time advised me that if it happened again he would want to take out the tooth above. I thought then that we was a bit odd - cos it felt like something had actually pierced the gum and caused the problem - not the tooth above: and sure enough when the abscess went down I found a small chip of something that looked suspiciously like bone under the skin flap and managed to remove this with a tooth-pick. However, the area has not returned to any degree of comfort since, and still looks a bit inflammed despite being cleaned two or three times a day (with a little baby toothbrush to get right in to the area) and salt water mouth washes.

Went back today and am now petrified. Dentist says that I cannot have any more antibiotics, that the tooth above must come out - but not the one that hurts (right down into the jaw) and has given me my "options".

1) - he can take it out immediately in the surgery on the NHS with an injection in my mouth.

2) - he can put me on the waiting list to have it removed at the hospital under general - waiting time 18 MONTHS:eek:

3) - I can go to a private clinic within a couple of weeks and have it removed under some kind of anaesthetic whereby I will be awake but unaware of what is going on (?:confused: ) at a cost of £350 - which I simply do not have (disabled and on IS)!

To be perfectly honest with you, I am not a scaredy cat about pain (went through childbirth twice without anything but a wiff of gas and air whilst trying not to push:o ) but the thought of a needle in my mouth made me almost physically sick in the surgery - and my stomach is still churning.

Are these really my only options? And should they not at least take out both teeth at the same time if I do manage to find £350 so that I get the whole problem sorted out and they do not maximise their profits by having me back again at a later stage to take the bottom tooth out?

I have been so very lucky up until now to have teeth that have caused my no problems over many years - no fillings, no extractions - but I cannot believe that these are the only routes open.

Many thanks to anyone who can help or advise.
"there are some persons in this World who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them"
(Herman Melville)
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Comments

  • Olympika
    Olympika Posts: 128 Forumite
    I can't give you any advice, but just wanted to say I really hope you get it sorted soon!!
  • moggylover
    moggylover Posts: 13,324 Forumite
    Just bumping this - can anyone advise please?
    "there are some persons in this World who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them"
    (Herman Melville)
  • moggylover
    moggylover Posts: 13,324 Forumite
    unashamedly bumping - cos I really do need some advice please.
    "there are some persons in this World who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them"
    (Herman Melville)
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sometimes, when a wisdom tooth doesn't come through properly, the one above it over-errupts - or comes through too much.

    This can lead to that tooth biting down onto the bit of gum that is still covering the partially-through one, and causing repeated episodes of pain and infection in that tooth.

    Taking out an over-errupted upper wisdom tooth is a whole load easier than taking out a partially errupted lower wisdom tooth, and it just might make the problem go away.

    Injections around the very back of your mouth are nowhere near as bad as you are thinking. It's really quite an insensitive area, and I'd be surprised if you felt anything at all when it was being done.

    Having not seen you, I cannot say whether this is an appropriate treatment for you or not, but it's not an uncomon way of approaching the problem in certain circumstances, so I have to assume that the dentist who's seen you thinks it is appropriate.

    I think he's explained your options pretty well. It is important to get something done as it seems to be flaring up quite often now.

    It may be possible to get a valium tablet or two for the night before, and the morning of the appointment if you really needed it, but then you wouldn't be able to get to and come back from the dentist under your own steam.

    It really will be very straightforward.

    Get it done - you'll be fine!
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • MrsE_2
    MrsE_2 Posts: 24,162 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've had a tooth out under local, it was an abcess that wasn't healing & I was desperate with pain & told him to just get it out!

    I've had lots done under intervenous sedetation (the £350 option).

    If I were you, try & find the £350, its a breeze, but if you can't the injection in the mouth isn't so bad (had one last Friday) & I'm a real dentist chicken.
  • moggylover
    moggylover Posts: 13,324 Forumite
    Toothsmith wrote: »
    Sometimes, when a wisdom tooth doesn't come through properly, the one above it over-errupts - or comes through too much.

    This can lead to that tooth biting down onto the bit of gum that is still covering the partially-through one, and causing repeated episodes of pain and infection in that tooth.

    Taking out an over-errupted upper wisdom tooth is a whole load easier than taking out a partially errupted lower wisdom tooth, and it just might make the problem go away.

    Injections around the very back of your mouth are nowhere near as bad as you are thinking. It's really quite an insensitive area, and I'd be surprised if you felt anything at all when it was being done.

    Having not seen you, I cannot say whether this is an appropriate treatment for you or not, but it's not an uncomon way of approaching the problem in certain circumstances, so I have to assume that the dentist who's seen you thinks it is appropriate.

    I think he's explained your options pretty well. It is important to get something done as it seems to be flaring up quite often now.

    It may be possible to get a valium tablet or two for the night before, and the morning of the appointment if you really needed it, but then you wouldn't be able to get to and come back from the dentist under your own steam.

    It really will be very straightforward.

    Get it done - you'll be fine!

    Thanks Toothsmith, I have a "thing" about needles anyway - which doesn't help, and I would have to say that it isn't "insensitive" at the moment:rotfl: . I will talk to them about Valium and see if they think that would help - I suspect that one MEGA-HUGE one might make me feel better about that needle - especially if it knocked me out - lol.

    Is it really true that waiting lists at the hospital would be that dreadful - and what on earth can I do in the interim?

    Could I "insist" (gently and politely) that they take the offending tooth away at the same time as the top one if I manage to raise the dosh for the private clinic?


    As I said, it's not really the pain thing that bothers me - more that I hate having someone poking about in my mouth anyway - and am a proper fairy about needles:o .
    "there are some persons in this World who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them"
    (Herman Melville)
  • moggylover
    moggylover Posts: 13,324 Forumite
    MrsE wrote: »
    I've had a tooth out under local, it was an abcess that wasn't healing & I was desperate with pain & told him to just get it out!

    I've had lots done under intervenous sedetation (the £350 option).

    If I were you, try & find the £350, its a breeze, but if you can't the injection in the mouth isn't so bad (had one last Friday) & I'm a real dentist chicken.

    Thanks Mrs E. I'm sitting here feeling like a complete wuz - but I just get so het up about needles:o . Suppose I should just think myself lucky that I have had very little hassle from my teeth for so long - but I thought I was going to die there and then when he suggested it - and as he was going to do it there and then he actually had the needle in his hand. I have trouble moving fast :o - but it is amazing what pure terror can do:rotfl: .

    Nearly knocked myself out on the light above the couch, and fell over my handbag on the floor! All for a flaming needle - lol.
    "there are some persons in this World who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them"
    (Herman Melville)
  • MrsE_2
    MrsE_2 Posts: 24,162 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm the same.

    Hubby has a dentist appointment on Saturday, he wants the tooth out.

    Hes such a tight wad if the dentist offered him a reduction for no jab at all, i think he would consider it:rolleyes:

    TBH I never thought I would have had one out with just the jab in the mouth, but I was mad with pain & the relief was fantastic, I didn't care.
  • xxlaurissaxx
    xxlaurissaxx Posts: 2,253 Forumite
    The injections are too bad. I have to get 4(on each tooth at different times) when i was getting filings because my gum wouldnt numb! but its fine, i got my back tooth pulled out and it cost £10 on nhs or the dentist said i could have treatment done for £450! to save my tooth but its on the top at the back so no-one would notice plus thats a saving of £440!!!! Its fine getting it out (just a bit of tugging but nothing sore at all) but when you see how big the root is! (OMG).
    Good Luck xx
    0/2013
    :beer:
  • MrsE_2
    MrsE_2 Posts: 24,162 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    )Moggylover

    Get him to put the cream on your gum that numbs it before you have the jab ;-)
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