What are the cons of having teeth out?

[WordsAreNoUseAtAll]

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.

Op I really feel for you. My teeth have been a thorn in side all my life. Genetics apparently. Toothache, abcesses, hand over mouth when smiling etc etc. Anyway, two years ago at the age of 46, I decided enough was enough and I managed to get hold of some money. I found a lovely female dentist and told her I wanted rid of the lot and she recommended 'Immediate dentures'. She took a mold of my mouth, sent it off to be made into the dentures ( takes about two weeks) then I went back, had what was left of my teeth taken out and the dentures go straight in and that's it. I know it all sounds drastic but honestly it wasn't. She used magic cream so I didn't even feel the needles ( cringe). Best thing I ever did. I went private but maybe you could find out if they do this on the nhs. I wish you the best.

Are they the type that come out at night and sit in a glass by your bed?

Back from dentist, btw :-)

Another temp filling, which is essentially just flat on my gum, as well as some medicine in the cavity (?) and antibiotics.

I might have to go to the dental hospital even if I wasn't nervous as there isn't much tooth to grab hold of,iyswim.

Should I ring the dentist and ask how far I am from dentures?

Huge headache now - I bet its stress.

Well they are if you want them to sit in a glass by your bed! That's a bit of a myth that you need to do that. You just whip 'em out hold them under a tap, brush them with toothpaste or even soap, rinse then pop 'em back in, that's it!

I think you really need to have a good chat with them about your options.

I think you may be right about needing hospital for the extraction if there isn't much there, my dentist said that would be a 'specialist' job. When I saw the specialist for consultation at the hosp tho she was very reassuring about it.

The glass thing was one of the first things I asked my friend too! She laughed. def not necessary apparently!

Dentures are not an alternative to teeth, they are an alternative to no teeth. Seriously, I have close to a hundred patients who have a lower jaw the thickness of a pencil because they thought dentures would be easier than teeth. Not only is there nothing to support a denture, there is nothing to put an implant into and in some of them, the "mental nerve" which gives sensation to the front teeth and lip has migrated to sit right on top of the bone so even if they could have a denture, it would constantly rub on the nerve.

Dentures are brilliant
dentures are right
the top one is perfect
the bottom one's shite

is oft quoted.