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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:
supadupapupascupa · 28/06/2023 07:54

You e been through root canal treatment. That in my opinion in horrific. I'm never getting that done again. Took ages, needed doing twice, the thought of what was happening had me in tears. As you can see, I'm terrified of the dentist.
Extraction? Had a few, bit nervous but they are so quick and easy by comparison. And the pain STOPS

qazxc · 28/06/2023 08:00

I had 2 wisdom teeth removed.
It's not painful. The most pain you will feel is the injection of the anasthetic.
You will feel some pulling, but it's not painful.
My teeth were fairly awkward to get out ( overcrowding and right at the back) but dentist didn't need to kneel on chest or anything wild.

ImasuckerforaTwirl · 28/06/2023 08:08

I found having a wisdom tooth out easier than having a filling. It is just like any other dental work. The worst bit in my opinion is the slight stinging at the start when they put the anesthetic in.

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fiftyandfat · 28/06/2023 08:10

My dentist is excellent and the extraction he did for me was straightforward and the local anaesthetic worked fine. Far less painful than an infection and toothache.

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 08:12

I woke up in the night with excruciating tooth pain. I'm waiting for the dentist to open at 9.

My plan is to get antibiotics today and book an appointment for in a couple of weeks for extraction.

I can not believe how painful toothache is.

OP posts:
RoxieLoxy · 28/06/2023 08:15

I had an infected wisdom tooth half under the gum right at the back (so slightly impacted). I was really scared too and it's one of the easier dental trips I've had! Only bit I didn't like was the injection touching a nerve which made me jump but apparently that meant it was going to work well. The tooth came out in one go even though it could have been very tricky (as was crumbling underneath prob due to me leaving it years before I was brave enough to have it taken out).

You'll look back and wonder why you worried at all!

SparkleHard · 28/06/2023 08:26

If you’re super nervous, you can ask your GP if they’ll prescribe a single diazepam to take before the procedure. I did that a few weeks ago and it stopped me from going into complete fight or flight mode when I was in the chair.

OvaHere · 28/06/2023 08:29

Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 08:12

I woke up in the night with excruciating tooth pain. I'm waiting for the dentist to open at 9.

My plan is to get antibiotics today and book an appointment for in a couple of weeks for extraction.

I can not believe how painful toothache is.

It's the worst pain. Good luck.

I had my upper wisdom tooth removed yesterday. Wasn't expecting it to happen so didn't have time to dwell on it. It took less than 5 minutes to remove. It's been fine, a bit uncomfortable yesterday and I slept a lot. Much better so far this morning, a bit achey but not had any pain killers yet and have just started the salt water rinsing.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/06/2023 08:45

Two molars out. First one was a retained milk tooth so very easy indeed because the roots are shallow. The second was an infected molar at the top right at the back. Again it was fine.
The dentist will push first not pull. The push and twist to de anchor the tooth then pull. I was more aware of the pushing sensation than the pulling.
One tooth bled a fair bit but biting down on a damp teabag stopped it - the tannins in the tea stop the bleeding.
The milk tooth left a gap so I have an implant but the back molar naturally had no tooth paired with it (the bottom tooth was always missing) so there was no need to replace it.

redhaire · 28/06/2023 08:54

they might be able to get you in for an emergency appointment today and remove the tooth today. Worth asking them. Toothache is the worst pain in the world. I sympathise.

isthismylifenow · 28/06/2023 09:09

I have had extensive dental issues, and mine was also caused by a silent infection. During covid I could not (or rather chose not to ) deal with it properly. And as result I am left with 5 extractions and having to have a lot of bone grafted in, as the infection ate away so much bone causing 3 other teeth to fail.

And the cause...... a root canal done years ago.

I will never ever have another root canal done. I would rather just have that tooth removed. Down the line, a bridge can be done, an implant etc, even just a falsie if need be.

OP, it is a procedure. I will be honest and say it isn't completely pain free and i don't think you will be skipping around 5 mins after. You will get as many locals to numb the area that you need. If you need more, ask... . You will feel the dentist working in the area and possibly feel a pulling. After when the local wears off, it can be quite sensitive. Just eat soft foods for a day or so, and rinse your mouth with salt water a few times a day. Just be prepared is what I will advise.

But I can promise you, that this is not as bad as dealing with that infection that you have now.

Just a question, which may seem unrelated..... do you suffer with stomach issues at all? Like IBS or similar? As I had terrible issues, my diet was so limited because of it. And since I had that infection removed (mine ended up as a cyst) I have the odd stomach issue, absolutely nothing like it was before. Surgeon agrees, the cyst burst often, I was swallowing poison for years.

I feel I don't look great (I still have my temporary teeth on a plate as implants not done yet), but I feel 1000 times better in my health.

I would definitely get the antibiotics sooner rather than later so that the area is clear when the time comes.

isthismylifenow · 28/06/2023 09:13

Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 08:12

I woke up in the night with excruciating tooth pain. I'm waiting for the dentist to open at 9.

My plan is to get antibiotics today and book an appointment for in a couple of weeks for extraction.

I can not believe how painful toothache is.

Apologies, I didnt see your reply before I posted.

Yes, to getting antibiotics today. They may well decide to remove it today as well.

grunttheterrible · 28/06/2023 09:13

I had 7 pulled out when I was 13- not my favourite way to spend time but it was fine. I've heard wisdom tooth extraction is hard but I wouldn't be worried if it's not a wisdom tooth

lingmerth · 28/06/2023 09:16

I had a bad experience having a tooth out many years ago. I've changed dentists several times since but when I was advised to have a tooth out a couple of years ago I explained to the dentist my fears. He said I could have sedation but it would be at our local dental hospital. I went ahead and it made a huge difference. I've since had another tooth out this way. I've had to wait longer than having it done by my dentist but it has been worth the wait for my anxiety.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/06/2023 09:23

I was like you and used to be afraid of the idea of having a tooth out. The first time I had a tooth out was around 8-10 years ago following a failed root canal - and I honestly couldn't believe how straight forward it was . It is true that you can sometimes hear the noise of them twisting the tooth when they remove it, but there is no pain (if there is, please say as they will stop and top up on the anaesthetic) and it is so quick, so much less traumatic than having lengthy fillings, and less traumatic than a deep clean, or even a scale and polish if you have sensitive teeth .

Best to have it done earlier in the day rather than later, in case there is a problem and to have a quiet day, if possible as rushing around is more likely to start bleeding off. I am able to work from home on a laptop, which is fine, but if you have an active job it's best to take the day off .

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 10:15

@isthismylifenow thank you for your reply. In answer to your question, no stomach issues. Touch wood.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 10:16

I have got an appointment at 2pm today. I will update you with the outcome.

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/06/2023 10:34

One piece of advice the dentist gave me before an extraction was have a good meal so if you don’t feel like eating afterwards it doesn’t matter. I think I stuck to scrambled eggs, soup and tinned rice pudding for a day or two.

Very important - follow your dentist’s advice about rinsing your mouth out. It’s important you don’t dislodge the clot that is forming in the socket.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 28/06/2023 12:00

Not that bad. I'm a giant wimp with a needle phobia and even I managed.

Sharp scratch from needle. Mouth goes numb. Feel some movement/pressure but no pain and hear some sounds and then it's out.

Afterwards there's a tender hole that heals with some time and paracetamol.

283nouveauxnoms · 28/06/2023 12:41

Glad you have an appointment, I must agree with Chazsbrilliantattitute that a meal before hand is a very good idea.

BettySundaes · 28/06/2023 12:59

Aftercare is biting down on some wadding and my dentist made me stay in the surgery waiting room for 15 minutes to ensure the bleeding had stopped. Don't eat/drink vigorously for 4 hours after. Then soft food only for a few days. The clot needs to form and not dislodge. Honestly, minor discomfort to what you are currently experiencing.

Walkden · 28/06/2023 13:18

My tooth extraction took nearly an hour but that was because the infection was bad and I had 6 shots of anaesthetic and it still didn't dull it completely. Was given the choice to leave it and come back but decided to get it over with

Eventually once I was able to tolerate the movement it was pretty quickly a twisted and kind of circular motion and out it came. Made quite a crack as it had a filling in it and there were 2 small fragments left on the edge of the socket that worked themselves out over the next week or so

Still worth it as once the tooth started moving the loss of feeling/ pain was instant.

amusedbush · 28/06/2023 13:21

I needed an extraction last year after a historic root canal weakened the tooth and it broke. Needles don't bother me and I'm not afraid of the dentist so I was taken by surprise by how horrible it was.

It didn't hurt but it took ages, I think because most of the tooth had broken off near the gum so there wasn't much to grip. He had to split the tooth so I could hear cracking, there was a really weird smell (like toasted nuts), and so much pulling. I ended up silently crying and I was so grateful for the dental nurse, who dropped everything to stroke my arm and comfort me until it was over.

I've always viewed dentistry as finesse so I was surprised by how barbaric it felt. My experience seems to be in the minority though, which makes me feel better about any future treatment I may need! Hopefully your appointment is smooth and painless ❤

Original poster
Toothiepegg · 28/06/2023 14:01

I've made it to the dentist waiting room. My heart is racing!

OP posts:
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 28/06/2023 14:09

I had 4 adult out in one go before a brace, it’s literally nothing.

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