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 had an upper molar out recently. It had been prepped for a root canal a couple of weeks previously, but it turned out that it had split lengthways so had to come out instead. I wasn't thrilled at the prospect, but had thorough anaesthesia (the dentist knows I take a while to get numbed up!). All I could feel was her rocking the tooth from side to side - which felt a bit odd, not going to lie - until it just slipped out.

After-care is important - follow the instructions to give yourself the best chance of it healing up well. Having had that tooth niggling for a year or so, with nothing obviously wrong with it, it is a blessed relief to have it gone!

I had my lower wisdom teeth out, not at the same time. One side was a straightforward extraction, the other they had to cut the gum to get at the tooth and stitch it up afterwards. Hardly any blood from either, not much pain either, just a bit sore for a few days. Stitched side healed faster than the regular extraction. Face was a bit bruised from the regular extraction - I was told that women bruise more easily than men - but no pain from that. The abscesses which prompted the removals were a hundred times more painful!

I had a failed root canal extraction, plus all 4 wisdom teeth removed. I was in a state before, but it is truly easy and painless. Just beware of dry socket after, they will provide instructions to prevent that.

A lot of you have mentioned the after care. I will definitely do as I am told.

The bleeding for me was minimal. It had stopped within a few minutes when my dentist checked.

Thank you.

It's nothing complicated. It'll be soft foods for a couple of days, no mouthwash "swishing" as you don't want to disturb the healing. It's been a few years for me but I don't recall it being any big deal.

Like you I have always taken good care of my teeth and been religious about dental care and cleanings. However, my love of popcorn is what did me in. Crunched down on an unpopped kernel and managed to crack two(!) upper molars😥

https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/scale-and-polish/

You probably need to change your hygienist. Some are better than others. It doesn't need to hurt.

I've had both of my lower rear molars (the ones on each side right at the back) removed over the past 5/6 years. I had cracks in both teeth and had had repeated infections culminating in a massive abscess on one side which was agony.

The extractions were absolutely fine. Very quick and painless. Just an injection, a feeling of pressure, bit of wiggling and I was done. Firm instructions about aftercare which I followed to the letter and everything cleared up nicely. I had a look at both teeth and could see the cracks - one had a sack of infection on the base so I was well rid.

in my experience the anxiety beforehand was the worse!

When the dentist offered me £90 for an extraction or £1500 for a root canal with a 50% chance of failure, I went for the extraction.

It was fine, and I don't like the dentist. A bit like when I had a csection, wiggling but nothing more.

I had a root canal that got infected. Had the tooth out eventually. A couple of injections, waited for them to work and it came out easily. I then had several other teeth out all in one go with dentures put straight in . No pain and I’m glad I had it done

I was supposed to be having an extraction this week, also after a failed root canal, but I’ve had to postpone it because it’s infected now.

I’m starting antibiotics tonight for the infection and then the extraction in two weeks. I’m actually quite looking forward to getting it out and starting the process. Mine is at the front so I have to have an implant eventually so I am getting a flipper like the toddler and tiaras contestants to fill the gap and I have to wait six months for the tooth replacement.

I had to go to the dentist this week for a broken crown and for some reason I was terrified that I would be told it needed to come out. Anyway it doesn’t it will be replaced but I am surprised to read that it is not so bad. I was also imagining the dentist with knee on my chest for leverage as he tugged at it.

Sorry that your tooth has got infected. It's so painful isn't it.

I had to google flipper! Good luck with it all.

You might need another course of antibiotics before you can have the tooth out, I had one last year that needed 3 × 14 day courses of 2 different antibiotics before I could have it out. Once they can get it properly numb, it is the worst bit over with, 5 minutes max & it will be out.

I've got a check up booked for Thursday but I'm hoping I will get antibiotics then and get the tooth pulled a couple of weeks later.

Also, Thursday feels for ever away. Any tips for helping with the pain. I'm taking ibuprofen and paracetamol extra every 4 hours.

I had a failed root canal (tooth split in 2 between appointments) and had to have the tooth extracted. Honestly? It was a piece of piss. The anaesthetic took longer to work than it took for the tooth to be pulled. Nothing painful or traumatic about it. I guess the worst part is accepting you now have a gap, but mine is towards the back so it is not at all noticeable. Fear not.

Honestly its the beforehand that is the worst. I think it is the idea and the noises - so if they bother you then you can pop earphones in (I did last time).

Pain wise - painless at the time. I think waiting for pain while there was pressure was the worst bit and then before you know it - it is over. Best of luck.

With my extraction I thought the dentist was still putting anaesthetic when he said 'all done.' Totally painless. You must be in agony now though with a tooth infection. Can you beg for an earlier appointment? Sounds like you need antibiotics asap. Maybe ask that they call you if they have any last minute cancellations? For the pain when I had an infection I used way over the recommended amount of Orajel as well as taking regular paracetamol and ibuprofen.

@noway1000 it always hurts me
That link made me laugh with a cooling mist of water
It's like being jet washed, I have it done by hand now as I can't cope with the cold water blasting on my teeth. I couldn't get the right angle to use tepe brushes in my back teeth so she showed me jammed them in
Apparently my teeth were very clean but I was still spitting out blood afterwards, it feels like the scraping thing will pull my teeth out!

Have you thought about having it out under sedation? I've had teeth pulled with just a local, iv sedation and a GA. And my favourite was sedation, I didn't forget anything (some people do) but it was like being buzzed for hours and I didn't care what was going on which was fabulous. I've never had a painless extraction with a local, but sometimes the pain gets so bad you just don't care anymore. YMMV.

The pain on the other hand won't really get sorted until the antibiotics kick in. You may need some codeine too take the edge off until then.

I put off getting my two upper wisdom teeth removed for 2-3 year as I was terrified.
I was getting almost constant painful infections and my dentist was beginning to get a bit reluctant to keep prescribing the antibiotics and couldn't stress enough how this could all be put to an end by getting them removed. I have terrible anxiety and was referred to a specialist.
I spent weeks worrying myself sick about it and at the pre-assessment the dental surgeon offered GA however I'm terrified of GA too so opted for local anesthetic ( after she told me she believed the extractions looked to be a straightforward job). She also offered an early morning appointment to stop me fretting all day if I was to have an afternoon appointment.
Well, I went to that appointment and I honestly could not believe how simple it was to have the extractions and felt so proud of myself. The worst part was what I had put myself through worrying about it. Felt a bit of tugging for a few seconds each tooth and that was it! Could not believe I'd put up with all the pain I had for something that was solved painlessly.
I was honestly imagining a traumatic event and felt like a weight had been lifted. I actually cried with relief while still say in the chair 😅

Honestly, the thought of it is horrible, the reality is not that bad at all. I had a wisdom tooth out last month. Very quick and painless, and apart from the evening after having it done didn’t even need painkillers. My face felt a bit bruised for about 3 days, that was it. Don’t worry. I put up with toothache for about a year because I was so scared, I should have just had it out months ago!

Thanks to everyone who shared their tooth extraction stories.

I honestly do feel a little more positive about it now.