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Original poster

How awful is a tooth extraction?

138 replies

Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:02

Apparently I have a silent infection under a previously root filled and crowned lower molar. It has become very un-silent!

Saw the dentist three months ago who gave me antibiotics and two choices for the tooth. First choice is re attempt the root filling at a cost of roughly £1000 plus a new crown, or extraction.

Dentist said that there would be a high failure rate if I go for the root filling and would then still need the tooth extracting.

Two days ago the infection has kicked off again and it really hurts. Coincidentally I have a check up appointment this Thursday.

Trouble is, I'm not sure that I am brave enough to get the tooth pulled. I don't really mind having dental work done but having a tooth pulled frightens the life out of me and I'm not sure that I can do it. Dentist has already said that it would be a very straight forward extraction.

How terrible is it, it's all I can think about and I'm really upset about it.

OP posts:
GameofStrife · 27/06/2023 16:04

Not terrible at all. Very simple and painless. Infection is far more painful and can lead to serious long term complications.

FiaMarrow · 27/06/2023 16:07

I had a wisdom tooth taken out a couple of months ago. Had to wait for the local anaesthetic to kick in (needed 2 lots) but the removal itself literally took seconds. All I felt was a pulling sensation and it was out!

Glwysen · 27/06/2023 16:07

I had the same, I tried having the root canal redone but it failed and I ended up having it extracted.

Extraction was absolutely fine, much easier than the root canal! Was very quick and completely painless.

I’ve also had a wisdom tooth extracted, that was fine too.

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Sandra1984 · 27/06/2023 16:07

Just tell them to put double anaesthesia (I did that!), I’ve had a few tooth pulled and it’s way less painful than a root canal. It’s a very quick procedure and you just feel some pressure. No big deal honestly.

stbrandonsboat · 27/06/2023 16:07

Make sure you receive enough antibiotics to knock the infection down as the local anaesthetic won't work as effectively if infection is present. The actual extraction isn't too bad, just some pushing and pulling. Get some cocodamol in for pain relief afterwards.

Somethingsnappy · 27/06/2023 16:08

I felt as you did op, and I was terrified before my extraction. But I am pleased to report that it was a piece of cake! I think I was in and out in 10 minutes, and most of that was just the dentist explaining stuff to me. Had a couple of quick anaesthetic injections, and I didn't feel a thing. It took just a few moments. You'll be absolutely fine! My main advice would be to follow the aftercare instructions to the letter, in order to avoid losing the blood clot, and getting dry socket, which would be painful. That should be easily avoided if you are careful and follow instructions though.

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:09

I have had two root canal fillings, no pain but they are time consuming.

I have visions of the dentist kneeling on my chest to get a good grip of the tooth!

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 27/06/2023 16:11

You will have an injection so depending on the tooth’s location part of your mouth will become numb. Your dentist might do everything in one go (depending on the tooth and his/ he’d experience) or a bit slower but it’s a matter a couple if minutes. After the injection wears off you probably will need to take painkillers one or two days and be careful while eating. You might be prescribed antibiotics.
Wisdom teeth are usually worse as they are quite fragile and their location is less convenient.
Im not a dentist just my personal experience.

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:11

I am hoping to get antibiotics on Thursday and then get the tooth removed in a couple of weeks. Not sure if I can be brave enough though.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 27/06/2023 16:12

I had to have two molars (both cracked through vertically) out earlier in the year and had dreaded it. I shouldn't have, and the dentist was very quick and efficient. No pain at all

BeCruelToBeKind · 27/06/2023 16:12

root canal 3 x on one tooth. Getting it pulled was short and sweet.
It’s a horrible thought but in reality it’s pretty quick. They might not do it that day though, they may get you to book a separate appointment for it.

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:14

I'm not bothered about pain afterwards so much as I can deal with that. I'm worried only about the actual extraction.

OP posts:
Northernsouloldies · 27/06/2023 16:14

It's a blessed relief if you're in pain. You will be fine it's over before you know it.

chilledtuesdays · 27/06/2023 16:16

I had a rear upper molar extracted a couple of weeks ago. It was quite a fiddly extraction (very little tooth left) but much less painful and time consuming than the horrible root canal on that bloody tooth! It was painful afterwards for about 3-4 days and I wish I'd taken the next day off work, so maybe get it done on a Friday?

SatelliteStomper · 27/06/2023 16:16

I had to have 4 extractions over the space of a couple of months, a few years ago. I put it off for ages as I was so incredibly anxious about it - felt sick whenever I thought about it, couldn't sleep the night before the first one, etc.

No word of a lie, by the time it came round to the final two, I waltzed into the dentist's and waltzed out again! I was almost at the point of looking forward to it (yeah I know, insane, but absolutely true).

Painless and over really quickly. Just make sure they give you plenty of local. If you've had root canal fillings, extractions will be a breeze!

Fizzadora · 27/06/2023 16:17

I've had two extractions one was a snapped off root canal. Both were totally painless (apart from the needle for the anaesthetic) and over in less than a minute.

magicstar1 · 27/06/2023 16:18

I actually had the dentist kneel on my chest to take out my tooth…also happened with my wisdom teeth 30 years ago. It didn’t hurt, he just had to pull a bit harder and I was laughing at how funny it seemed.

MotherofPearl · 27/06/2023 16:18

I had to have a wisdom tooth extracted and got myself horribly worked up about it. My worry was the sound of the tooth coming out.

I actually prepared a playlist to listen to on my headphones to mask the sound, but I'd only got about 30 seconds into the first track and it was all over! Much, much easier than I expected.

Good luck OP.

BreviloquentBastard · 27/06/2023 16:18

I had a wisdom tooth extracted that was growing out too far back and sideways and had hooked roots. He had to stretch my cheek in a really uncomfortable way, and he really had to yank and tug, but massive amounts of anaesthetic meant I didn't feel a thing. Even when he had to brace himself against the chair. I was sweating buckets and shaking all over throughout because I have terrible dentist anxiety, but honestly after the fact I realised it was really not bad at all. My cheek being stretched upwards was worse than the extraction! As long as you've got a good dentist who is generous with anaesthetic you'll be fine.

DowntonCrabby · 27/06/2023 16:18

I’ve had 3 out with just local, including both upper wisdom teeth and honestly it was no bother whatsoever. If you feel anything other than pulling, so any pain at all, ask them to top up the local. Honestly you’ll be fine.

Aaron95 · 27/06/2023 16:18

I've only had one extraction which was a molar. It was painless and over in seconds. A filling is far worse. All that drilling and odd vibrations going throuh your skull.

squashyhat · 27/06/2023 16:18

It's probably the word "pulled" which is putting you off OP. The dentist doesn't grip it with a pair of pliers and brace themselves against the side of the chair! Plenty of anaesthesia, a wiggle side to side and it will be out in no time.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 27/06/2023 16:19

I have visions of the dentist kneeling on my chest to get a good grip of the tooth!

Teeth that have had root canals are actually pretty fragile (hence the need for a crown) - they don't put up much of a fight😂

Seriously, extraction is so much easier than sitting thru a root canal! It is very quick and painless. You'll have a little soreness for a day or two after, but nothing compared to the pain of a failed and infected root canal.

Just do it, you'll be fine. Really. Repeat root canals have such a high failure rate that I wouldn't even consider it. Money would be better put towards an implant.

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:19

Fizzadora · 27/06/2023 16:17

I've had two extractions one was a snapped off root canal. Both were totally painless (apart from the needle for the anaesthetic) and over in less than a minute.

I don't mind the needle.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothiepegg · 27/06/2023 16:23

Thank you everyone, I feel a little better about it.

OP posts: