How awful is a tooth extraction?

[Toothiepegg]

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.

I’ve had 2 wisdom teeth removed in the last 12 months and both were fine. The worse part for me is the noise, you can hear a cracking noise as they loosen it, but beyond the first injection it doesn’t hurt at all. Make sure you follow the aftercare instructions and you might need some paracetamol for a couple of days but it will feel so much better once it’s out.

I had wisdom teeth removed at hospital and it was fine. Extraction was recommended due to recurrent infection and it was a relief to not have to worry if an infection would happen again

You lot are so brave 😁

I had a wisdom that kept getting infected, I really didn't want to have it taken out but by the end god it had to come out! The relief was almost instant. The dentist said he could see an ulcer on the root which was stopping it from getting better. I've never regretted it.

Oh my god there is a noise? hadn't considered that.

I've had two upper wisdom teeth removed at the dentist and then recently a lower molar. The actual extraction is actually a lot less awkward than a root canal. I am dental phobic and was petrified but each time have just been so relieved and it's been over quicker than I thought it would be. Most important with an extraction is the after care.

You'll be fine if your worry is the actual extraction.

I have never noticed a noise but I do ask them to put the radio/tv on louder so I have something to focus on.

Noted.

All these people that have had molars extracted. What happens after ? Do you just have a gap? Or did you need a bridge or something? I have a molar that may need to be taken out one day

The root canal takes longer and is more painful. Extraction sounds awful, a bit primitive and barbaric but honestly just steel yourself and its over so quickly.

You'll be given some after care advice but seriously in a few weeks you will be so glad you did it.

Don't panic! Some posters are talking about a wisdom tooth extraction which is more complex than having a molar with a failed root canal removed.

Wisdom teeth often have deep, healthy roots. Your root canaled molar is quite fragile. It's not the same experience at all.

This is a good point, my dentist never has anything on in the room so there’s nothing to drown it out. She would probably let me have ear buds in if I asked though.

Both my recent extractions were uppers as well which might make a difference.

@Harpings I just have gaps, but there is the option of implants if you want/can afford them.

Thanks @BettySundaes do you just get used to the gap? Teeth haven’t tilted too much?

I opted for an implant as teeth can shift if an open space is left. Also molars are essential for chewing!

Pricey but worth it. No regrets.

Honestly it will be over so fast you'll wonder what you were worried about. That comes from a dental phobe! I've had several out over the years. Just left the gaps. I never knew teeth could shift or tilt etc due to gaps, that hasn't happened to me.

It's fine and I'm dentist phobic. It actually cured my phobia as that's the worst it could be and it was fine
I did try to work after which wasn't my best plan as I couldn't speak as numb
They don't yank it out, it's more wiggling and upwards pressure. I wore headphones

I had a rear molar that had been filled and filled, there wasn’t much left and 4 dentists over the years hadn’t been able to numb it properly so each time had been awful
I found a new dentist (Private) who suggested removing it, I explained about how it was impossible to numb and he said if he could numb it properly would I let him take it out.
He did and I did, it was great after over 15 years of pain. No after effects either

I've always looked after my teeth quite well so I'm sad that it's now come to needing an extraction. Honestly though, there is no pain like toothache. How can such a tiny tooth hurt so much.

I’ve had 2 teeth taken out before having Invisalign. No pain at all, just a bit of pressure and it was over very, very quickly. Please don’t worry.

Yes, same here. It was really quick, not like all the drilling and filling of a filling

So once the tooth has been removed, how much bleeding is there?

Hate the dentist but it was easier to deal with having molars out than fillings.

I had two out 30 years ago (eating disorder caused terrible teeth) and the teeth at each side haven't moved from my perspective. My new dentist last year said with the gap they would fail, which I accept but she didn't know how long they'd been out for.

I hate the hygienist much more than the dentist. The hygienist really bloody hurts. Wish I could get numbed for that.

I've had 3 molars removed over the last few years, all v straightforward.

Worst bit for me is the injection for the anaesthetic, after that there is no actual pain.

It's over in a few minutes, just an odd feeling as the dentist wiggles it from side to side to get it out.

Afterwards only minor bleeding for an hour or so. A bit of pain for 24 hours but nothing terrible.

Then a bloody big hole which heals incredibly quickly, and eventually you can eat on that side and the gum toughens up.

On each occasion I was crying hysterically throughout the whole thing ffs I'm nearly 50, but I hate the dentist. Then it's all over and I apologise for being so dramatic for no reason.