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 four removed as a child (maybe about 12 or so, they were adult teeth) as my jaw was too small. Two on each visit to the dentist. Not difficult at all. My DM bought me a chocolate bar as a treat afterwards on both occasions for being good 😂

How did you get on OP?

I have got a seven day course of antibiotics. Have booked for the extraction on 24th July @ 11am, I even paid a £50 deposit so there is no backing out.

I had a molar taken out a few months ago. After the anaesthetic, but before he started, I asked if I needed to go and put more money in the parking meter as there was only 40 minutes left on my ticket. About 3 minutes later I got my answer!!

Good luck OP ! My 11 year old son had an adult back molar removed. It was a nightmare as young people have strong healthy roots. Please don’t ever let this happen to your child. My brave son really struggled and so did the expert dentist.

Having a tooth extracted is way easier than root canal. There will be no need to kneel on your chest. It’s honestly a quick and simple procedure 😊

Very good! The extraction will end this cycle of pain/infection/antibiotics. Chronic infection can erode your jaw bone and cause endless dental problems.

You are doing the smart thing and I guarantee you'll be so relieved once that tooth is gone!

Great, well done you! You will be so relieved when it's done. I hope the antibiotics calm the pain very quickly.

Thanks for the kind support.

@GulfCoastBeachGirl The extraction will end this cycle of pain/infection/antibiotics. Chronic infection can erode your jaw bone and cause endless dental problems.

I wish my dentist had explained this to me . I had endless cycles of infection and antibiotics before I ended up having several teeth removed .

I wish my dentist had explained this to me . I had endless cycles of infection and antibiotics before I ended up having several teeth removed

@ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea I found this out the hard way myself. Endless faffing around with an infected tooth which ended up being a failed root canal. By the time I had the extraction I'd lost some bone to the infection. Thankfully it was caught fairly early before too much damage (and I was able to get an implant).

I found it straight forward and painless. The relief when it's out is 👌

I'm just bringing this thread back to life incase it helps anyone in the future.

Am currently in the dentist waiting room waiting for my tooth extraction. Im beyond frightened and feel sick with worry, but at least I am here.

Will update once it's all done.

Wish me luck!

Good luck.it will be over before you know it and you will wonder what you worried about. 🙂🙂

Well I did it!

Zero pain and took under two minutes. I counted 😁

So glad the wait is over now OP and for sure you will have relief from that constant infected pain.

Did they discuss going forward, will you have an implant or just leave a gap? I have both, implants in front and gap on the side from a removed tooth years ago. The gap didn't really bother me as its not visible.

Was there any sign of infection today or has it all cleared now?

Well done OP! Hopefully this thread will reassure others in the same position.

Yes there was infection there once the tooth was removed. The dentist cleaned it all out.

Not sure what I'm going to do about the gap. It's not visible but I will probably look into an implant once it's healed.

@Toothiepegg Excellent news! Everything will heal now and you won't have to deal with that awful tooth pain anymore. So glad you went thru with it.

Thank you @GulfCoastBeachGirl

Pain from a tooth infection is truly awful and I just feel really relieved. I was so worried about having the extraction, I was having nightmares and waking myself up screaming!

Still can't believe I've had it done. The anaesthetic has now worn off and it feels a little sore but I don't need painkillers. Maybe I will later.

Well done OP! Great update

Well done you! So pleased it is all over and it was quick and straightforward.

Just follow the aftercare to the letter and you should be fine. Take painkillers if you need to.

Will definitely take painkillers if I feel I need them, I'm not the suffer in silence type!

Having read about dry socket on here many times, I don't want that to happen so I will be good with aftercare.

@Toothiepegg , I had a pre-molar extracted earlier this year. It was extremely painful, but the pain only lasted whlist it was extracted - moments.

If you have the local anaesthetic, you probably won't feel a thing. I'm needle-phobic.