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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask which is worse? Tooth being filled or tooth being removed?

41 replies

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 08:27

What do you think?

Help a girl out. Thanks!

Having to have a tooth pulled tomorrow and I'm mucking myself. People keep telling me they'd rather that than a filling....

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Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 08:28

PS: no horror stories. well, go on, if you want to be cruel.

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TheWorldAsh · 14/02/2018 08:30

I've had both. Would rather have a filling but neither is that bad really. Just relax (as much as possible) as tensing Up makes things worse.

Good luck.

LadyMetroland · 14/02/2018 08:31

I had a tooth out last year and it didn't hurt at all! Anaesthetic is a wonderful thing. Admittedly the roots were not deep (baby wisdom tooth) but I was still surprised at how painless it was.

MrsKoala · 14/02/2018 08:33

Having a tooth out is much more of a procedure than having a filling in my experience. I had a GA when had my wisdom teeth out and a week off work! I've had loads of fillings, 4 root canals, 1 extraction and 1 implant. Once you are numb it doesn't really make much difference, it's just how long you have to keep your mouth open and recovery. Your gum will be sore for a while after an extraction whereas it wouldn't with a filling.

It's not a nice experience, but i've had a lot worse. Try not to worry, it will be over quickly and it's much better than toothache.

Nikephorus · 14/02/2018 08:36

On the upside if the tooth isn't there it'll never need any treatment again!

WonderTweek · 14/02/2018 08:37

I'd rather have a filling too (although depends on if the cavity is really sore!) but having a tooth out sounds much worse than it actually is. They numb your mouth so all you can feel is a bit of tugging and that's it. The aftermath is a bit annoying as it may bleed for a bit but that doesn't last long. At least you can muck about with a completely numb face. My boss came back from the dentists once and made a mess of himself trying to drink water with a numb mouth. It was hilarious.

Anyways, I've had lots of dental stuff done and I've been fine despite being terrified. Like a PP said, try to relax. It will be fine.

Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 08:41

Must admit i do find the numb face quite fun. Last filling I had was to replace a filling that was removed and it was quite sore. Had a car accident that same day, some one drove into us at stationary lights, was ok just a bump but made the day pretty shitty, was our new car too!

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Tumbleweed101 · 14/02/2018 08:44

Had my tooth out under sedation - was far less traumatic than any procedure you’re awake for!

Roomba · 14/02/2018 09:13

I'd only have a tooth out as a last resort when all else failed. Though I have been there with horrific toothache, thinking 'Just pull it out now! I don't care what it looks like I just want it to stop!'.

But if a filling is possible, why would you permanently remove the tooth? You can't grow it back again and implants etc. are v expensive compared to a filling. Every filling I've ever had was painless and felt fine afterwards. Having teeth out didn't hurt as it was done, but felt horrible afterwards.

kyrenialady · 14/02/2018 09:15

I’d rather have a filling but I have had a wisdom tooth removed and it was no where near as bad as I though it would be.

Pain free and it was over so quick. Don’t worry.

Areyoufree · 14/02/2018 09:17

Agree that if you can save the tooth, that is better. However, I have had worse experiences with fillings or root canals than extraction. My wisdom teeth were ludicrously easy to remove. Even the dentist was surprised!

mindutopia · 14/02/2018 09:17

I would say both are equal in terms of pain (I've had a lot of dental work), but in the long run, I'd rather keep my tooth than be missing a tooth.

LegallyBronde · 14/02/2018 09:25

Had both. Removal obviously had a longer recovery period but it was asbosultey fine. Just don't use straws/smoke/vape etc as the suction isn't good for the clot. Best of luck, it's much better than toothache!!!

Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 09:43

Thanks all, yes, if he can save the tooth then I will go with what he says I guess, even though 'just get rid' seems the better option right now :)

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Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 09:43

Thank you for the straw tip, was gonna have mcdonald's milk shake if i couldn't eat, i won;t now. don't smoke so that's ok

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Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 09:44

I haven't even got any wisdom teeth, aged 34. they never came through! Assuming they won't now

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blueshoes · 14/02/2018 09:45

Try to save the tooth because implants cost a lot and dentures are not always suitable. Your dentist will be able to advise. Or you can leave the gap if you cope with the aesthetics and less ability to use that side for chewing - I needed to eat crisps so wanted the gap filled.

Tooth extractions (if you are doing it privately) are cheaper than root canals and require only one session. Root canals with crown require around 3-4 sessions, but the advantage is you save the tooth. If the root canal fails, the tooth may need to be extracted, by which time the tooth will be more fragile due to the root canal and might break during the extraction which means the extraction will take longer - that happened to me and the extraction of a molar (long roots) took a whole hour because it splintered. Then I had to pay the cost of an implant (£2,400), on top of the sunk cost of the failed root canal/crown (£600).

In terms of experience, I preferred the extraction (even though it took an hour and my jaw was aching from holding my mouth open). I just felt pulling and tugging but no pain on account of the anaesthetic. There were certain parts of the root canal I was not so keen on, even through the anaesthetic, but it was not pain just discomfort.

Just my limited experience.

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 14/02/2018 11:29

Last time I had a tooth out I went back to work straight afterwards, worst thing was the numbness and fear of dribbling. Certainly no worse than a filling.

Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 12:56

My tooth is at the top and half of it has fallen out I'm not sure why it was so weak must have had a cavity and did it last night on pop corns might be hard to get out or could fix guess I'll have to wait and see

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Kitsharrington · 14/02/2018 13:09

Why would you want to have a tooth removed if you could avoid it?? It's not a good look.

FleurDeLizzie · 14/02/2018 13:14

I've had both. I don't find either particularly painful but obvs would rather have a filling than lose a tooth.

FlopsyMcDoodle · 14/02/2018 13:15

I’d rather have a tooth removed any day. Just the thought of the sensation of the drilling for a filling makes me feel sick. Are you getting an implant to replace?

Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 15:57

It's right at the back so i was guessing it might now show as you can't see that far back even when gob wide open

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Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 14/02/2018 15:59

not sure what's happening i'll just discuss tomorrow i guess and see what he suggests. eeeek !!

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Original poster

IdRatherHaveABowlOfCocoPops · 15/02/2018 12:45

Well turned out I just needed a filling root was healthy/ok etc took about 30 mins. Just need this numbness to go, my nose is numb too weird is weird. All other teeth ok and told me not to eat popcorn anymore

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