Petrified of dentist and don't want to go

[FloofenHoofen]

I have anxiety and today I found that a deep filling my dentist put in about 4 years ago has decay under it and it's causing me some sweet sensitivity.

Now basically he's said that I should have it refilled and possibly risk it dying because it's so close to the nerve now, which would result in a root canal and crown. To add to the issues, my wisdom tooth (which I thought was the offending tooth as I can see there's a cavity in it) is impacting the molar that's affected. He's saying he might not be able to get a band round it meaning I would end up with a temporary filling and a referral to a specialist to have my wisdom tooth surgically removed AND then go back and have the molar filled which could still potentially die and thus I lose two teeth.

Am I being unreasonable not to go? And to let nature take its course and have it extracted when it becomes a real problem?

I can't help feel like my dentist has put too many what ifs into my head by giving me different scenarios and now my anxiety is in full swing I've just cried my eyes out ever since I got back. I know it's just a tooth but it's making me panic and setting off too much of my anxiety for me. Sorry for the long ramble. All opinions are welcome.

Can you try to find a dentist who specialises in nervous patients?

The problem with the wait and see approach is that the situation isn’t going to resolve on its own - you aren’t ever going to get to a place where you don’t need any dental work - and the longer you leave it, the more work you will need.

Sorry, @FloofenHoofen - I hope you can get it sorted.

I know it isn't going to go away. But I also don't want to potentially lose two teeth unnecessarily either.

I really don't understand why they pull out perfectly good wisdom teeth and prop up aging molars.

I was in exactly the same situation as you, right down to being petrified of dentists. I found a lovely one who suggested pulling out the molar and letting the cavity-free wisdom tooth do its job for chewing. The procedure was over in 5 minutes (after the anaesthetic kicked in) and the wisdom tooth happily filled the gap

Yeah you could ask for the rubbish tooth to come out and the wisdom to be filled as it has a cavity, ask what their opinion is and what options you have.

The longer you leave it, @FloofenHoofen, the greater the chances are that you will lose one or two teeth. And if the decay spreads, it could be more.

You could also be risking an abscess or infection, or a lot more pain.

Or find a dentist that does sedation.

Get the wisdom tooth out asap and try to get your 7 filled if it ends up needing a crown its not the end of the world. I've got 1 and have had it for 15+ years it's still fine just because the tooth is technically dead doesn't mean that it has to come out.
Fyi veneers are crowns

Thanks they sound like good ideas. My wisdom tooth hasn't fully emerged, do you think if I removed the molar the wisdom would come up more?

My husband hates the dentist but left an infection so long his face doubled in size and he was at risk of sepsis!

We found a dentist who will sedate him to do any work he needs. It's quite funny to see him all giggly and happy after seeing the dentist now!

My wisdom tooth hasn't fully emerged, do you think if I removed the molar the wisdom would come up more?

That's how it went for me, the wisdom tooth grew out at a very slight angle and basically filled the space left by the pulled molar.

I'm no a dentist though so I've no idea if it happens all the time.

Thanks dutch1e

Yes it should move over but it will take time my dd had 2 of her 7s removed (by the orthodontist) and got to keep her wisdom teeth I think it took about 3 years to completely close the gap

They’re legally obliged to give you all the options and the pros and cons of it all
I’m sorry that’s set your anxiety off tho

Your dentist will be concerned with saving as many teeth as s/he can You can ask them to take one out but they may say no
As a dental professional it seems a shame to let one rot until it’s not saveable

My advice is always to tell them that you’re nervous before you have any treatment done
The right dentist will put you at ease
And it’s fine to get a second opinion from another dentist in the practice or elsewhere

Good luck. You can do this

Please go! I didn’t go to the dentist for 10 years because I was so scared! I found a dentist that was good with nervous patients, in the end I only needed 2 fillings.
What helps me is if they use numbing cream before injections, and finding a dentist that specifies they are good with nervous patients.
I find the fear is worse than the actual treatment

I do go dentist often, I go every 6 months, it's not that I don't go it's just when I need treatment I go into full on panic attacks.

I've decided to get a second opinion from another dentist first just so I know fully what my options are.

I feel like I could of written this post! Exactly the same tooth that has a medicated filling in with wisdom tooth not fully through but going into the decayed tooth and it's so sensitive sometimes! It doesn't help that I clench my mouth during the night! My problem is anxiety and tbh I can't afford it and my dentist doesn't do payment plans! Most days are good touch wood but other days like today it's awful!

This is me. Except I’m a few years down the line from you. I have two molars that had deep fillings and have broken, plus two impacted wisdom teeth and have put up with intermittent pain becoming more frequent over time. A few weeks ago I had no choice but to arrange an appointment because I was in agony for days.

I registered with a dentist and they gave me their earliest appointment for a new patient (which is next week). I was supposed to then call 111 for emergency dental care, but I didn’t. The pain eased off although it’s coming and going.

I’m absolutely terrified and I know that what I now face is far worse than what I would have needed years ago. Please don’t leave it. It’s horrific.

Any chance you live in London? I was referred to have all my dental stuff done at hospital under sedation when I lived there and it was amazing. I’m hoping the new dentist will refer me to the primary care dental service here for the work to be done under sedation as I don’t know how I’m going to get through it otherwise. I can barely even sit in the chair.

I'm really sorry that you're both going through this KickUpTheArse82 & waxmelt I really know what the fear is like. 5 years ago I couldn't even pick up the phone to register with a dentist. I would sob at the thought of it. When I did I ended up needing that deep filling and 3 teeth plus a wisdom tooth surgically removed and I had braces fitted.
Now that very first deep filling is the one playing up and I feel like I'm right back at the start again with the anxiety. I don't know why, but it's bad.

I hope you both get it sorted somehow someway!

I know how this feels. I avoided the dentist for over ten years out of fear. But it got to the point early this year that I could only chew food on one side of my mouth and that was painful. I plucked up the courage to make an appointment and I was very lucky to get a such a lovely dentist. I ended up having 8 fillings over a couple of months, he did them all at my pace and I listened to music while he did them. Several appointments later my teeth have been saved, even colour matching with my front teeth and I'm so happy with them now. Back when I was a teenager I had to be sedated but with the right dentist it really is doable. I wish you the best of luck

I used to have sedation for dental work. It was brilliant! They inject into your arm and ask you to count up. You never get far and next thing you know you are counting back down. Only drawback is you have to go home to sleep it off and employers can be a bit funny about that. Also costs more. Worth it in my opinion.

boobindoop my dentist is private. He is good, I just don't understand how a filling he did only 3/4 years ago has decay growing under it? It's putting me off.