What are the cons of having teeth out?

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I now have at least two teeth that the dentist thinks are beyond saving (they have crumbled in my mouth, are more temp filling than tooth), on top of the four I have already had out at various points (rubbish teeth, rubbish behaviour on my part, rubbish medication, rubbish genetics, etc)

Due to my extreme rubbishness at medical bravery (seriously, if anyone has any idea on how to tackle it, please tell me) I will need sedation, the dentist thinks maybe a general as it could be a big job. I already have fillings in most of my teeth, but she thinks at least five need re doing (although some could turn out to need extraction anyway)

Given that it is a year waiting list for sedation and that my teeth have been nothing but trouble, am I right in saying that I would rather a tooth be taken out than need several appointments and complex work? Or is that a stupid idea?

How far am I from needing false ones? What would that involve?

I'm 27, with two children (no more possible now) and both my parents have some false teeth, my dad after a childhood accident (but his normal teeth aren't great), my mum just has one because of decay, so I think I am genetically doomed.

I should add that all my teeth are very sensitive (I haven't had unmelted ice cream for over a decade) weak and wonky. They all ache or hurt at some point over a week.

Oh, and as I will either be sedated or unconscious, I need to give instructions before. There has been talk of me just having a big dose of tranquillisers for some minor "propping up" work, but I'm not sure what is happening there.

I'm just so sick of my teeth now. Is there any way they can be rescued, or is it just a lifetime of patching them up? Teeth don't regrow, do they?

I've just had a tooth removed under local anaesthetic-it really isn't bad at all, the only pain you experience are the injections going in. I'd imagine the deciding factor of whether to try to keep teeth is the position that they are in your mouth. I think nowadays dentists really want to save as many teeth as possible, so they tend to do a lot of root canal work if teeth are badly decayed.

One of the crumbled teeth is next to a hole where another tooth used to be, right at the back of the bottom jaw. The other one is one the other side, still at the bottom, but the first "bumpy" tooth back, if that makes sense.

I had my first two teeth out under a local as a teenager, which wasn't too bad, but I know that and it still makes me go into blind panic now when faced with any doctor, nurse, needle, etc. Some days I can't even take a tablet (I take medication daily) without crushing it up and shaking etc - I'm just too scared of medical stuff. Long story, being worked on, but it is very unlikely that I will be able to do something that normal people find scary any time soon.

Hence why I really want things done in as few sittings as possible. I just want to have it over and done with so I can get on with life a bit.

I understand-such a shame the waiting list is such a long time for sedation. Now I've had this tooth removed, I kind of feel I want to do my best to keep the rest in-brushing,flossing, diet and will probably will opt for fillings and root canal on other teeth, if needed.

I've just had two out today

Due to severe dental phobia I've had conscious sedation, it was the best money I have ever spent (£165 for the sedation if that helps)

If you can possibly save the money i would do, but you'll have to wait a couple of weeks for my verdict on how it's affected me.

And you have my total sympathy it's crap but best advice is find a dentist you actually like, there are good recommendations on the Dental Anxiety Forums.

Good luck

I have had sedation before, last time was ok - I don't really remember it, which I think is the point. I do remember the canula though - hate those things. Don't really think they can be avoided though.

It should be free for me as I am poor, although that is another reason to get it done soonish before the rules change.

If I can do it with just concious sedation, can I shop around, as it were? I love my dentist (she is really kind) but she can't do sedation, but can I go to another just for the sedation then go back to normal?

With regard to your last question ,I've had a dentist refer me to a sedation clinic and then I've resumed treatment with her .
So yes ,I think you can .

I'm just sick of my teeth in general. They are full of fillings in every tooth, filling on filling, at least one bit is always too painful to chew on (then weirdly it stops hurting so much and another bit starts) they can't be relied on not to fall apart at any moment, they wobble and they look horrible as well - all snaggly. I'm 27 and haven't had a year since I was 14 without dental problems and I am sick of it.
I have other, more pressing, health problems and it is just one more thing on top of it all and I cba.
That thing that people used to do of getting them all taken out as a wedding present sounds brilliant to me.

It was the sedation clinic that my dentist referred me to that have the year waiting list, but I know that some private dentists do sedation and will take NHS work - would that involve losing my normal dentist do you think?

(thanks for the advice, btw)

you can shop around, it's your mouth :) It's the same as any other health care, ask your own Dentist as well - you might find they are as frustrated as you that nhs takes such a long time.

The lovely lady I saw is well aware I may now start going somewhere more local. You might want to keep your Dentist informed of any other treatment though.

So. One of my teeth fell out last night. I say fell out, it snapped off - there is still the root and a very small bit (1mm) sticking up on one side.

It has also occurred to me that the outbreak of mouth ulcers that I have been moaning about is all along my gum, and so may not be ulcers, more my gums just being rubbish.

Appointment at 10am. I'm scared :(

good luck!

You sound very much in the same situation as me. I'm fed up with it all. I'm having all the top ones out (what's left of them anyway!) on 5th April. Every time I've had a filling the tooth has just ended up breaking down, so I want them out, and to get a nice smile for the first time in my life.

oh and you asked what dentures involved - I had three appointments for impressions, and to collect the dentures. I will have a GA in April, all out and dentures in. The dentures will need adjusting/replacing at some point.

It's the right decision for me, cos I can't keep going through fillings and teeth breaking down any more. I have big gaps at the back now and eating is difficult. My front teeth started to decay and that was the final straw.

Chops - That is my point of view too!

What is involved? I have looked after elderly people with full sets of false teeth, but is it the same for younger people?

TBH, my front ones aren't as bad (weak, out of line, and sometimes painful, but not actually falling apart as yet), it's every single molar that causes me problems.

Cross post.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I'm just wondering if me being in my twenties will make them more likely to try to keep teeth in.

I'm 33.

I have a friend who is in her 70s - she is fab, wouldn't think she was anywhere near that. Anyway - she had hers out in her 20s, due to hereditary gum problems, I never even realised until I said about needing it done and she told me. She said she never regretted it for a second, and can eat anything, and has a lovely smile. She has been ace for support actually, and made me realise that young people can live with them.

Just wanted to say I hope you get it sorted soon!

My front ones could have been filled, I'm missing one tho, and the gap closed up, so I have five at the front, the two end ones are slightly decayed at the sides. They all buckled (decayed at the gum line) when I was younger, and the filling has discoloured, so I look like I smoke 60 a day and never brush! So I just want rid!

My new dentures are lovely. I tried them in, and looked like Janet Street Porter cos I still had my teeth in too but I can't wait to have them properly. I will be able to wear lipstick and smile properly for photos again!

i should add, the gaps I do have are all at the back and not really noticeable, so I havent told anyone else in rl about needing the dentures. I am wondering what the reaction will be when I suddenly have white, straight teeth

Sounds brill!

Is it the kind of thing that can be done on the nhs? I get free treatment atm.

Yes, I am having mine on NHS. It falls under top band, so has cost me £200. And I've had about a 6 month wait I think in total for the op.

wait time was from when I first got referred after initial consultation and xrays. The teeth got made up after that so that I had them ready for the op.

Good luck - I'm hoping for really positive news for you