Dental chat! Need an extraction and terrified

[Hopingandwaiting2021]

I found out today I need to have a top tooth near the front removed. I'm absolutely devastated to be honest and so scared about what comes next. How is the extraction process ? The dentist will do a denture while looking into more long term options. I'm due to go on first holiday abroad with my little boy on 20th September, will I be able to eat by then?!

You will be absolutely fine. You won't feel a thing, it'll be over before you know it and the healing process is minimal. I had a wisdom tooth out recently and was able to eat absolutely fine 6 hours later. I've also had one removed from the side and it was about the same. The fear is worse I promise

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Can I ask did you need to get a denture/bridge or anything?x

No, I didn't feel the need but now as I'm getting older it is something I'm looking into. I have my 4th from the front one on my left side gone and I'd very much like an implant now. If you're really really nervous you could ask for sedation, is that an option? X

Husband has a front tooth bridge following an extraction of a broken tooth. You cannot tell at all. It looks just like the one they took out.

I had two top teeth removed last year, my first ever. I was really nervous beforehand but it took no time at all to get both out and I didn't feel a thing.

I was able to eat and drink a few hours after but was on softish food for a week or so as I had a tooth out on either side at the same time. That wouldn't have been my preferred option but I had them out to have a brace fitted.

You'll be absolutely fine!

Thanks @Shmee1988 I'm not sure but I will ask! Thank you @CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets that's really reassuring! Can he eat normally ok with it? X

Yes completely fine. Only things he is careful with are baguette sandwiches and apples. So he makes sure to bite the sandwiches on the other side and uses a fruit knife for apples.

And I don't think he would even need to do that (dentist didn't tell him too) I think he's just a bit wary. He's had the same bridge for 10 years now.

You've nothing to worry about with the extraction! It won't be nearly as awful as you think. A denture isn't a bad long-term option, but I have a friend in the US who had several teeth replaced with dental implants, and that process takes longer but is more secure overall in terms of fit and conserving bone density in the jaw.

@Shmee1988
Helping so much to talk to you all. I've been feeling very low and worried about being very self conscious about it after. @smurfmonkeyso reassuring to hear! I'm hoping longer term to have a bridge but not sure I could afford the implant unfortunately

Read the advice on avoiding dry socket and take it REALLY seriously

Why are they taking it out? Can they not salvage anything and put a crown on?
I am petrified of dentist and generally shake throughout a check up. So, you really are not alone. However, despite my fear, trusting the right dentist for you really does help. I have managed root canal before (I look back now and wonder how the heck I did it) I mostly tap my leg with my hand and count. I ask the dentist to let me know how long each bit will be. My countdown is the length of time. Usually things are done in very small stages. So if it’s 30 secs for example, once you start counting and get to 10, you are already 1/3 of the way through yay! I hope that helps. And remembering to breathe!! Calmly ha ha!

Noted with thanks about dry socket!

Thanks @Gonk123 it's apparently too bad a break. The dentist did say I've been remarkably unlucky with it 🫠 That sounds like a good strategy I'll give it a try!

A front one is much easier to get out than a back one as front only has one root.

My last one came out with a quick twiddle. Took about two to three seconds to remove. Didn't feel a thing. Was totally numb. Just kept my eyes shut.

Couldn't believe it when he says "that's it out you didn't fine".

He inspected it, and my mouth, think he may have packed it with cotton, not sure, and told me to bite down on a wadge of cotton stuff, and off I went to pay.

Didn't even need paracetamol for that one. But did take it easy and followed orders to rest after for the remainder of the day.

I get sedated for back ones though as mine really hang in there and are hard to get out and take ages.

Good luck OP. I'm steeling myself for a trip to the dentist as I have a wisdom tooth crumbling away which will have to come out. The last one I had out - also a wisdom tooth - was 47 years ago!! As I have a small mouth (and big teeth) I'm really not looking forward to it, and keep putting off making the appointment. Oh well, if I coped with it at 18 I'm sure I can cope with it at 65.

Ive had lots of work done on my teeth and i think fillings are the worst. Having a tooth out is fine. Just make sure you follow the aftercare advice. Gargle salt water and make sure there is no food in the hole

Good luck, I hope you get sorted ok. You can do this!! Let us know how you get on x

Thanks everyone for your help. I had it done this afternoon. He had quite a hard job getting it out so it took a long time but it's over! Numbing is wearing off so a bit sore but hopefully all will be ok soon! Stitches out in a week then look into options for a replacement tooth Xx

Hope you ‘coped’ well done for going through with it.

Glad you got through it okay!