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Original poster

I’ve done something stupid at dentists

17 replies

Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:04

I suffer badly with dental anxiety. I have had really bad sensitivity and pain in an upper tooth for the last three weeks and pain in the teeth underneath that, including one with a crown. Finally plucked up courage to go to dentist this morning but told her it was a tooth on the right and it’s not, it’s a tooth on the left 😱. She did all the checks and X-rays and I didn’t even notice it was wrong till I was on my way home. What on earth do I do? I can’t go back and say by the way I was completely wrong about which tooth hurts - they’ll think I’m just making it up. But I was just confused because of my anxiety.

OP posts:
HRPUFF · 23/08/2023 12:15

So you only had X-rays on the incorrect side or did the dentist X-ray both sides?

SingaporeSlinky · 23/08/2023 12:19

Cant you just call them and ask for another appointment? Say the tooth wasn’t hurting at that moment, so you forgot which side it was and assuming they only x-rayed one side, say you’ll need the other side doing.

ShineLikeA · 23/08/2023 12:20

Of course you can go back and say you were wrong. I also have a horrific dental phobia, didn't go at all for about 15 years, and even now, have to take diazepam to get in the door, so am often mildly zonked. They'll have seen it all before.

I kicked my dentist once, before he started prescribing me drugs!

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Ihateslugs · 23/08/2023 12:31

If you are a private patient, then I would have thought you can go back without question as you are paying. I am NHS but have been able to make emergency visits between appointments, there is a charge for this, possibly the same as a checkup.

I would just tell the receptionist that the tooth has become painful after the visit and you are need an emergency appointment.

Summer2424 · 23/08/2023 12:36

Hi @Iseethesilverlining
Aww bless you, don't worry just go back, they'll totally understand, dental anxiety can make anyone do that. Honestly don't worry, hope your tooth feels better xx

Original poster
Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:40

Thank you all. I just feel so stupid. She even put anti sensitivity treatment stuff on the wrong tooth. I worry they’ll think I’m just making it up. But it’s actually just this morning it wasn’t sore like it’s been for three weeks and I just got really confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:41

Only had the wrong side X-rays 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:42

And it cost £80…..
Oddly though the ‘wrong’ tooth was still quite sensitive….

OP posts:
knobkopf · 23/08/2023 12:43

Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:41

Only had the wrong side X-rays 😔

Phone them up and explain what you have said here.
Anyway, they really should have looked at the other side too dental pain can often be referred from one side to the other. At least that's what my dentist told me and said that if someone comes in saying it's an upper tooth on the right side which is hurting she will also look at the left side too.

MillyMollyMardy · 23/08/2023 12:51

I'm a dentist, just call them up tell them what's happened, they'll tell the dentist whats happened and they can have another look. People get flustered especially when they're nervous.
@knobkopf they wouldn't have looked at the opposite site unfortunatley pain can switch betwen upper and lower teeth but not from one side to the other.

Original poster
Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 12:53

Thanks. Will have to ring, wish me luck!

OP posts:
knobkopf · 23/08/2023 13:00

MillyMollyMardy · 23/08/2023 12:51

I'm a dentist, just call them up tell them what's happened, they'll tell the dentist whats happened and they can have another look. People get flustered especially when they're nervous.
@knobkopf they wouldn't have looked at the opposite site unfortunatley pain can switch betwen upper and lower teeth but not from one side to the other.

Ah ok, thanks for that. I must have misunderstood my dentist. I am a recovered dental phobic so my brain sometimes still goes a bit loopy when I'm there!

MillyMollyMardy · 23/08/2023 13:13

@knobkopf I assume people only remember a proportion of what I've said so I usually repeat the things I really want them to remember and if you're anxious you're doing well to be there.
@Iseethesilverlining they'll understand and you won't be the first. I have a wry inner smile when I ask how any work I did last time is. People often look blank which I take as a great sign that it's all been fine and they've forgotten all about it.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 23/08/2023 13:37

Aww don't feel embarrassed most people are anxious in the dentist chair and as it wasn't hurting at the time, it's an easy mistake
FWIW I have to think really hard before saying left or right with absolutely everything.

knobkopf · 23/08/2023 13:45

@MillyMollyMardy
Yes, I am so proud of myself for being there at all. I didn't go for 30 years due to the phobia.
At least I managed to recall something about referred pain even if I thought it was left to right :-D

Original poster
Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 13:59

Chickened out of ringing but composing email to send instead! Basically it says please don’t think I’m mad but…..

In good news, tooth isn’t nearly as sore today as the last few days!

OP posts:
HRPUFF · 23/08/2023 15:08

Iseethesilverlining · 23/08/2023 13:59

Chickened out of ringing but composing email to send instead! Basically it says please don’t think I’m mad but…..

In good news, tooth isn’t nearly as sore today as the last few days!

Hopefully they will reply to your email soon.

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