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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go back to dentist

22 replies

Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 14:37

Looking for advice as I’m freaking out.

Had a tooth removed last Friday. By Sunday I had severe pain. Went back Monday and was told I have dry socket - she packed it and gave me antibiotics.
Pain is starting to flare up again. Not as bad as it was, but needing painkillers for it. As it’s only day 3 of antibiotics (7 days since I had tooth out), do I ride it out or get in contact with them? I’m conscious that every time I go back it’s costing me £70, and I don’t really have that money right now. also worried that it’s Easter weekend so they will be closed for some of that.

YANBU - get in contact with dentist now
YABU - some pain is expected, let it heal

OP posts:
Morientes · 28/03/2024 14:43

I think if you're worried go back as £70 pounds is still less than what you would end up paying if it gets worse over the Bank Holiday weekend and you need an emergency appointment (I would imagine they'll be shut for 4 days after today). When I had a wisdom tooth removed and developed a dry socket/infection once antibiotics kicked in the pain didn't return.

Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 14:48

Morientes · 28/03/2024 14:43

I think if you're worried go back as £70 pounds is still less than what you would end up paying if it gets worse over the Bank Holiday weekend and you need an emergency appointment (I would imagine they'll be shut for 4 days after today). When I had a wisdom tooth removed and developed a dry socket/infection once antibiotics kicked in the pain didn't return.

Thank you, do you remember how long it took for your antibiotics to kick in?

OP posts:
Morientes · 28/03/2024 14:51

Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 14:48

Thank you, do you remember how long it took for your antibiotics to kick in?

Show quote history

A couple of days, my pain was radiating all towards my lower jaw and ear and I think literally by day 2 it was miles better!

Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 14:54

but dry socket is not infection, its the exposed bone surface as your "clot" must have come away early. The only thing to improve it is time.

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2024 14:58

I had pain after having a tooth removed. My dentist didn’t charge for the second appointment as it was a complication. Are you sure you should have been charged?

Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 14:59

Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 14:54

but dry socket is not infection, its the exposed bone surface as your "clot" must have come away early. The only thing to improve it is time.

Thank you, this is what I’m thinking - will it eventually heal on its own?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:00

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2024 14:58

I had pain after having a tooth removed. My dentist didn’t charge for the second appointment as it was a complication. Are you sure you should have been charged?

I did think this actually! I thought I would sound cheeky questioning it and was in so much pain I didn’t argue!

OP posts:
Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 15:00

yes, but it should be being regularly packed to help with pain, I do not think dentist should be charging for every visit

Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 15:01

my NHS dentist would not keep charging but is yours NHS or private? might make a difference

Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:03

Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 15:01

my NHS dentist would not keep charging but is yours NHS or private? might make a difference

It’s private - there are no NHS dentists at all where I live 😔

OP posts:
Skiphopbump · 28/03/2024 15:03

It took a good couple of weeks for mine to heal recently.

I had it packed around day 5 which did help but didn’t take all the pain away. The tooth came out quite easily so I was surprised by how long the healing process was.

Pumpkintopf · 28/03/2024 15:04

I've had dry socket, dentist packed it with some nasty smelling paste but the relief was amazing and the pain disappeared within a day after that - I would at least give them a call and ask about your pain levels.

EricInk · 28/03/2024 15:04

Hi OP
I'm a dentist
Firstly I wouldn't charge if you went back a second time, but we don't charge for dry sockets as it's not the patients fault (unless smoker) but I might be in the minority

Oral antibiotics take 48 hrs to make a difference so that sounds about right it's a bit better today. I would phone for advice and see what your dentist says

Pumpkintopf · 28/03/2024 15:04

Oh and private dentist who didn't charge me for the dry socket visit and treatment.

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2024 15:05

Cattrovert · 28/03/2024 15:01

my NHS dentist would not keep charging but is yours NHS or private? might make a difference

Mine is private. It was £250 for the emergency appointment and removal, then there was no charge when I went back to have it packed.

Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:06

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2024 15:03

It took a good couple of weeks for mine to heal recently.

I had it packed around day 5 which did help but didn’t take all the pain away. The tooth came out quite easily so I was surprised by how long the healing process was.

Yes, mine basically popped out too (tmi sorry!) so I was surprised. I must admit I have quite a low pain threshold so I worry I’m just being dramatic. If I go back again the whole thing will have cost me nearly £400 just to get a tooth removed!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:06

EricInk · 28/03/2024 15:04

Hi OP
I'm a dentist
Firstly I wouldn't charge if you went back a second time, but we don't charge for dry sockets as it's not the patients fault (unless smoker) but I might be in the minority

Oral antibiotics take 48 hrs to make a difference so that sounds about right it's a bit better today. I would phone for advice and see what your dentist says

Thank you so much. X

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:07

Starting to feel a bit conned paying £70 for the dry socket now! X

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:09

EricInk · 28/03/2024 15:04

Hi OP
I'm a dentist
Firstly I wouldn't charge if you went back a second time, but we don't charge for dry sockets as it's not the patients fault (unless smoker) but I might be in the minority

Oral antibiotics take 48 hrs to make a difference so that sounds about right it's a bit better today. I would phone for advice and see what your dentist says

Can I just ask - would you expect someone to still need to be taking painkillers 3 days after getting treatment for dry socket xx

OP posts:
Morientes · 28/03/2024 15:20

Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:07

Starting to feel a bit conned paying £70 for the dry socket now! X

Have to admit I also didn't pay for my second visit, just the cost of antibiotcs and a mouthwash they gave me to use in the following days which was less than a tenner all together if I remember correctly (sorry been a few good months now)

EricInk · 28/03/2024 15:52

About the painkillers.... Yes.... it is a horrible thing to happen to you

I say to my patients they might have no pain at all after an extraction or they might be in agony for up to 10 days. Sometimes it can be a difficult one that needs surgery and the patient barely feels anything, sometimes it pops out and it's agony for the patient. Get better soon!

Original poster
Cookiecoop · 28/03/2024 15:59

EricInk · 28/03/2024 15:52

About the painkillers.... Yes.... it is a horrible thing to happen to you

I say to my patients they might have no pain at all after an extraction or they might be in agony for up to 10 days. Sometimes it can be a difficult one that needs surgery and the patient barely feels anything, sometimes it pops out and it's agony for the patient. Get better soon!

Thank you ever so much.

Can I just say (despite my absolute fear of everyone in your profession 😂) you sound like the loveliest dentist ever.

OP posts:
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