Having baby teeth extracted & petrified!

[Anythingglittery]

Not sure if this belongs in s&b but it's to do with my looks & confidence so I've popped it here.

I'm 39 and for the past 10 years ish I've had problems with 2 baby teeth (bottom set, 3rd from the back on each side)
There's not much of them there as it's mainly fillings to build them up and they hardly have any roots, they are very wobbly.

Anyway I'm finally going to have them extracted on Tuesday and I'm petrified. I've been dreading this moment for years! Apart fro worrying about the dentist itself, I'm so worried it's going to be really obvious when I'm talking that I'm missing teeth.

Implants aren't an option at the moment as I just can't afford them but I was wondering about a bridge to fill the gap?

[Justchillaxing]

I had two baby teeth until in my late thirties, top corner teeth. Eventually they crumbled and couldn't be filled anymore so I had them taken out. It didn't hurt as there's barely any root. I now have a "sticky bridge on one side, the other gap closed naturally because it was so small. Can't think of the technical term for sticky bridge, but basically it's cemented to the back of the tooth next to it. You can't tell it's a bridge and it doesn't cause any problems. I have needed it replacing three times in 15 years, but usually because it's come loose due to biting French baguette . Not sure how expensive it is, I had mine done on the nhs.

[bingohandjob]

I had one removed for an implant. It didn't hurt one bit when removed so please don't think it'll be painful. During implant process had the gap for several months and I was really anxious and anticipating being really self conscious but it was honestly not even a fraction of what I worried about. I just very quickly got used to it and no one ever mentioned it and my husband and very dearest friends absolutely reassured me that it was barely noticeable and I just took that on board. I know there's good options in dentistry (current and emerging) which you could explore.

[Anythingglittery]

Thank you got your replies.

I think I will just be overly self conscious a first but hopefully like you I'll soon get used to it. I am going to ask about a temporary fix until I can afford implants. Wish me luck!

[Agustarella]

Good luck OP! I'm 40 and I have loads of baby teeth. A school mum who happened to be a dentist told me not to let anyone take them out unless it was absolutely necessary, so I never did.

Reading the thread title I thought you meant that your baby teeth were going to be extracted and then turned to stone! Like how people are cremated and the ash gets made into diamonds.

[jellybeanlover]

Good luck Anythingglittery, I had a milk tooth removed in.my early 30’s, 3rd right tooth at the front, replaced by NHS bridge, looked fine, then had it replaced privately last year, 20 plus years later! I hardly think about it, looks fine, certainly works well for eating, and smiling😁