To ask would a private vs NHS dentist have a better experience for tooth extraction?

[scareddddddd]

I have been referred by my NHS dentist to a Tier 2 NHS dentist to have my impacted wisdom tooth removed. I was supposed to have it removed today but couldn't go through with it due to anxiety. I've never been fearful of the dentist so this is a new thing for me to have to try and deal with.

I have a local Bupa dentist who accepts referrals for complicated wisdom tooth extractions, so I think they must have the expertise in-house for these. I was thinking of joining their practice to ask for a second opinion on my wisdom tooth, and possibly having them remove it instead.

My reasoning is that they are more local to me than the tier 2 NHS practice, and as they are private it would be easier to get an emergency appointment if I suffered from any complications. I think one of the biggest sources of my fear of having my tooth out is experiencing dry socket and not being able to get access to the medication/help I need. I've been fortunate to never have experienced tooth ache so the unknown of it and hearing that it's the worst pain imaginable is scaring me.

I'm not a dentist. I had to have my tooth out by a different nhs dentist to my own. He specialised in extractions and had referrals from the surrounding practices. I'd think he'd have more experience than a dentist working at one surgery. But the private dentist probably will have practised in the nhs previously and may have got an adequate amount of experience there. Who knows? As for possible medication afterwards, I don't think that would be a problem wherever you go.
Personally I'd save my money but, then, I don't have any anxiety around it and you do. So I'd think you'd be better to go to the practice that is most likely to allay your fears because that's the one that will make you comfortable enough to actually have the extraction done.

I think you might find sedation helpful whichever you choose.

I've had a wisdom tooth removed by an American dentist and molars removed by NHS and private dentists. Honestly, the worst experience I had was in the US. The experience here has been fine and when I had dry socket I could easily get an appointment the same day with both the NHS and private dentist. It honestly doesn't take them long to redress it and the relief is instantaneous. TBH dry socket hurts, but it isn't the worst dental pain one can experience.

The benefit of going private for dentistry is that you can choose who treats you and assuming they are any good, ask as many questions as you like and have an unrushed experience which should lower your anxiety anyway. Some UK private practices have visiting oral surgeons who likely also work in NHS hospitals who will take private cases.
If it is a complicated tooth to extract, then the dentist's experience will be the most important factor to consider. Some wisdom tooth extractions can be successfully done by General Dentists.
So yes I would make enquiries of BUPA assuming you can afford it. Feeling you are in control of what happens can really help.

https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/healing/
Dry socket is covered here.

Good luck for whichever route you choose. I used to have a fear of going to the dentist.
So much so that I avoided it for years. It stems back to having multiple extractions as a young kid without much reasoning behind it at all. The thing that changed this mentality for me personally was going private to a Bupa dentist. It is more expensive (unless you have dental cover/ cash back plan via work), however it didn't smell or look like a dental practice and the service/ level of care I have received has been second to none. It's been worth paying extra to go there and get that added peace of mind/ comfort. They've looked after me ever so well to the point that I don't lose sleep over going in for a check up or cleaning session anymore.

I have just had mine removed under general anaesthetic via NHS. Is that an option?

In my experienc NHS Vs Private dentistry are worlds apart. The level of care when paying private is unrivalled, at least it is at my dentist. If you can afford it I would definitely recommend it.

I had one filling at a private dentist and whilst I've never had another filling to compare it to, the experience was very positive.

I think I'm going to register at the Bupa dentist and ask them for their opinion.

Fwiw I had an impacted upper molar removed privately and was dreading it. The woman was really nice and although the local anesthetic did sting a tiny bit I didn't feel any pain with the extraction and couldn't believe it when it was out. While thing took 10 mins and most of that was waiting for LA to kick in. She wiggled it this way then that and (presumably she pulled it a bit but) out it came. I could have kissed her at that point!

I followed the post care instructions to the letter and no dry socket. Think I mostly lied down first 24h

Good luck

Thank you all, I'm in the process of joining the Bupa dentist practice and they have asked if I have any copies of my x-rays. I've emailed my NHS dentist receptionist but haven't had a reply - does anyone know if this something that they can even provide me with?

I use a private dentist and find they're amazing. I'm type 2 diabetic and my dental nerves appear to be hypersensitive, but they know this and I'm always given numbing gel for even an inspection otherwise I'm hitting the ceiling when they spray air onto my teeth.

I had a root canal and was amazed by how OK it was. And I'm a complete wuss due to a very poor Dentist when we were kids.

I've found private substantially better, but really it depends- some dentists have particular interests, additional training in certain areas and with private you get more choice. You might find the element of having more control helps with your anxiety? I don't think it means that all private dentists are superior by default though, just that often processes, the environment and your autonomy is usually better. As a customer also rather than just a patient I do feel they make more effort.

I think a lot depends on the actual dentist. I've recently switched from a private dentist back to my old NHS one (I was still on their books) and the I would recommend the NHS dentist over private. He took more time to go through things with me, really put me at ease and didn't talk to me as though I was an idiot, unlike the private dentist.