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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To remove my teeth and get dentures?

13 replies

CatulusLady78 · 29/10/2018 21:24

I'm 40, have dental anxiety which means I need sedated to have treatment, and I have really troublesome teeth. I have 3 molars which currently need root treatment and are giving pain regularly, one premolar appears to be dying but isn't giving pain, and about 9 other fillings approaching the end of their lifespan. I am delaying making an appointment for treatment because many of these teeth have a 'hot pulp' which makes it difficult for the dentist to numb them fully, which then contributes to the anxiety.

Would I BU to have them all removed and get dentures? Would that be the end of the world? The idea of having no more worry and stress about what's going to go wrong next is appealing.

Would other people notice?

OP posts:

Aintnothingbutaheartache · 29/10/2018 21:28

I’d say you have a little more than anxiety about this. It sounds like a full blown phobia. Have you sought help with this?
Gone are the days when a 40yr old would have all their teeth removed tbh. Dentistry is so advanced now.
It’s certainly a horrible problem to have and it sounds like you really do need treatment.
I would suggest to seek help for your fear first.
Good luck op

funmummy48 · 29/10/2018 21:29

I don't know the answer to your question but I know where you're coming from. I'm in borrowed time with my teeth & sometimes think dentures would be easier.😢

Original poster

CatulusLady78 · 29/10/2018 21:37

Hi aint I have tried hypnosis etc. The problem is that although look after my teeth reasonably well they're almost all filled and I've had 4 root canal treated already. By the end of a course of treatment my nerves are shattered and I'm even worse the next time. It feels never-ending.

OP posts:

dottymac · 29/10/2018 22:09

brutal :( i have major teeth anxiety so i feel your pain. my parents had all their teeth out in their 40's. have you had any out before? its awful as (sorry tmi) you hear and feel the crunching. terrible experience. when i had to do it again, they had to sedate me which was better as you don't feel it and only kind of wake up when its over. this is the only way i would consider doing it, if i were you. i wonder if its possible for them to sedate you to do all the work needed, instead of removal. it might be worth asking either privately or at a dental hospital. sending hugs, nowt worse than toothache :(

Thymeout · 29/10/2018 22:20

You'll be lucky if you find a dentist who'd agree to take out teeth that can be saved. I think it's against their Hippocratic oath or something.

bumblebee39 · 29/10/2018 22:30

Why would you need dentures for back teeth? I would have the work personally but ask to be put to sleep or for some diazepam for the anxiety...

I had my wisdom tooth all out in one go and would do the same with my molars if I needed to and not replace them.

I think id probably only go as far back as my canines with crowns etc. Otherwise just let them be taken out if they go.

I'm not even 30 yet. Sure mine are not in need of this yet but I do need a filling fixed which I had done 16 years ago and don't think I'll be overly upset if they yanked it. It's a back tooth and played up for years.

I'd rather have to boil my carrots than have fake teeth or sore ones...

Urbanbeetler · 29/10/2018 22:35

Do what you can bet to preserve your teeth. Dentures are horrid, even temporarily.

whyhaveidonethis · 29/10/2018 22:42

Dentures are awful. Mine actually made me feel depressed and anxious. I couldn't stop crying for days. It was weird how badly it impacted my mental health. Eventually I got implants. I'd say to seek out one that specialises in anxiety.

Noodella18 · 29/10/2018 22:42

I’m wearing a denture at the moment and it’s shit. The fixative is gross and a pain to scrape off your gum when you take the denture out, food gets caught, the stale minty taste seeps out when you’re eating other things, the glue wears off and they drop down and make me feel sick. Urgh.

RandomMess · 29/10/2018 22:54

You keep hold of your teeth (even if root filled etc) because they help indicate gum and jaw bone health which can help save you from far worse!!!

I hope you can get appropriate sedation to get through the treatment you need your phobia sounds really awful to deal with

Aquamarine1029 · 29/10/2018 23:10

Dentures are a fucking nightmare. Pull up your big girl pants and deal with it. You've already survived multiple treatments, you can do it again.

Original poster

CatulusLady78 · 30/10/2018 06:50

Thanks for the advice, I hadn't really considered the downside of dentures (or the work needed in removing what's there). Possibly I need a different dentist, the one I have is sympathetic but I don't think understands how traumatic I find it all.

OP posts:

bumblebee39 · 30/10/2018 07:38

I have dental anxiety took me 4 years to find a dentist I was happy with and now I need to find a new one I'm
Balking as had so many bad experiences.

I will find one though. Literally had this nightmare where all my teeth got pulled after reading this thread so know I need to find one. I know not your intention OP but helped push me to find one. Good luck finding one who understands, I found my last one through trial and error wish I'd just read the reviews!

Also my dr prescribes me diazepam for the dentist as know I won't go otherwise. Takes 10mg to get me in the chair for even a surface filling, or a scale and polish, literally even a check up I have to take anxiety meds.

Good luck OP xx

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