Tooth extraction & options

[Jas2004]

Hi,

My gums are receding and have been for many years, it's my bottom lower middle teeth (x3). I had X-rays taken and today I was told the teeth will need to be extracted. I have a phobia of the Dentist and when the Dentist told me I was traumatised and I didn't ask any questions. He mentioned I would be given a plastic veneer for cosmetic purposes.

Does anyone know what options I would have? I have looked into dentures and it looks like they take weeks to make, how do I manage to eat etc in the meantime?

Any information/advice would be great.

JAS

Oh, poor you! Firstly, I would ring your dentist in the morning and say you want to have it all properly explained because you were in a bit of a tizz. I ended up having a back tooth extracted after a failed root canal, so have been looking at a flexible partial denture as an option to replace it. My dentist explaimed that after your teeth are extracted the gums go through a healing period where they change shape, so an immediate denture probably wouldn't fit well after a short while and you would need it altered or a new one. I'm seven weeks since having my tooth out and while i haven't had a "wound" in my gum for weeks now, it's still not 100% filled in. My dentist said three months was the minimum time period she would look at, preferably six, before fitting me for a plate. Another option might be a bridge, which is supported by the neighbouring teeth, but that's maybe not a goer if your gums aren't great.

My understanding is that the NHS will "replace" front teeth as standard, whereas the back ones can be done without - I'm looking at about £300 privately if I go ahead. (Which I may not, as no-one can see the gap, but obviously that's not an option at the front.)

Judy,

Thanks for your message. I'm going to contact the dentist to chat about it, the dentist who I seen today isn't my dentist and his bedside manner needs some work. He asked why I was crying when he said the teeth would need to come out 😡.

He did say there were options just not what they were. My extraction is booked for 13th of October.

JAS x

You definitely need a different dentist - I cried when I made the decision to have my back tooth out after months of treatment and faffing about, and my dentist got me a glass of water and a tissue!

My mum has an implant as one of her lower front teeth, so that might be something to think about (I'm not sure if gum disease makes it not a good option though). They are only available privately and I think hers was about £1800. If the extraction is still a month off, maybe they can fit you for a temporary partial denture?

Re the extraction, I was really, really scared before mine and the dental nurse held my hand pretty much throughout. My dentist knows I am a really nervous patient and is super kind and patient - make sure your dentist knows if you are anxious and agree a signal if you need a break in the process. I had to stop a couple of times (big huge tooth which ended up having to be cut into bits) and I'm glad I asked for a breather.