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Original poster

Please help me through my tooth extraction decision.

91 replies

chocolatespiders · 22/01/2020 17:14

I have been putting off my tooth extraction for years now and the tooth has now split. I have been to the dentist today and he wanted to do it there and then - I burst into tears ffs.
I have had two children and didnt need pain relief so I thought I could handle pain quite well. I think it is the thought of the pulling and the waiting for it to be done I just cant bear the thought of it.
I could pay for sedation but this feels like dead money but if it is the only way for me to get through it it may be worth it
Would you get sedated for this? Please make me see sense.

Could I be referred to a more specialist dentist from my practise?

OP posts:
orangina · 24/01/2020 15:33

I have had 2 wisdom teeth (upper) that I have been advised to have removed for the last 15 years due to food traps etc. Fast forward to 6 months ago, one of those teeth was decayed and chunks of it have been falling out. Yesterday I went in to have them both removed under sedation. I was really anxious. BUT.... but... but... but....

It was absolutely fine. I went under before I even opened my mouth, and I came to in the recovery chair. 2 teeth down, no pain, no swelling. One day later, still no pain or swelling and I wish I had done this YEARS ago.

If you have a sedation option, I would 100% take it.

Kitcat47 · 24/01/2020 16:15

I should of gone last week to see about my tooth. I've just made it worse. I think its swelling again! Feel so fed up. Apparently there is a waiting list for sedation.

SinkGirl · 25/01/2020 10:30

Kitcat - I have had to have three lots of antibiotics while waiting for my sedation appointment to come through. I’ve found brushing the damaged tooth with a really soft baby toothbrush is better at removing every trace of debris, followed by corsodyl has prevented further infections while I wait. The second time I had an infection the first course of antibiotics didn’t work and then I needed a second so if it’s not getting better towards the end of the course go back. In the meantime orajel and ibuprofen should help Flowers

Kitcat47 · 25/01/2020 10:41

Sink girl I'm so fed up. I'm on 2nd dose of antibiotics as she drained absess yesterday. I asked her to take tooth out without sedation but because of infection the anesthetic wont work. When are you getting your tooth out? @

madroid · 25/01/2020 10:45

If your tooth is broken it's almost definitely just a case of removing it. There will be no tugging involved it will just need lifting away.

Honestly OP you are making far too much of this. I'm just saying to reassure you not to be critical! Wink

SinkGirl · 25/01/2020 10:56

I’ve got the sedation pre-assessment week after next so hopefully not too much longer. I have two broken molars and a wisdom tooth to come out and I’m terrified of even having anyone look in my mouth so wouldn’t be able to manage without it!

I hope you don’t have to wait too long. When I lived in London they sent me to the hospital to have everything under sedation and it was so fantastic not to have to worry about it. This was years ago and they repaired both molars but unfortunately the repairs have both failed over time and there’s not much of them left so they have to come out.

Original poster
chocolatespiders · 25/01/2020 13:51

After reading some of these posts I have realised I was making it a bigger deal than what I should be! The posts have reassured me and I think I can now do it!

I called yesterday at 15.10 and they shut at 15.00 so will call on Monday and book it in.

OP posts:
ClientListQueen · 25/01/2020 13:55

I posted above but honestly mine was fine, and it had giant roots (mum, proudly, holding my hand "aw just like your grandad) Hmm. I came out in the waiting room and people were "you're so brave"
Me "WTF I'm terrified" Grin
Since I had the tooth out, I'm actually less scared because if that's the worst... I volunteered to have tooth whitening and some cosmetic bonding and my dentist nearly keeled over that I was actually asking for stuff to be done

Kitcat47 · 28/01/2020 15:22

@chocolatespiders did you make appointment?

ScaredyCat123 · 28/01/2020 18:39

Been lurking here ... having extraction too as I have a dental abscess (low grade pain, funny taste in mouth, 2 doses of antibiotics not cured things, temp) and tooth cannot be saved .... so scared about the tooth removal that thinking if cancelling it and just waiting for pain to get really bad instead and then having it yanked out ...

thewinkingprawn · 28/01/2020 18:45

Had my wisdom tooth out yesterday. Actual extraction took less than a minute. A few mins to numb the area. It was sore last night (I had it out at 3pm) but nothing paracetamol didn’t cure. Still a bit sore today but just niggle sore rather than pain. Go for it!!!

Mammajay · 28/01/2020 18:58

I understand your tactics.. I do the same..usually phone really late and keep putting it off. The ideal thing for me is to get an appointment very close to when I phone...less time to worry. But honestly, the fear is far worse than the treatment. My strategy is to know that if for eg the treatment is at three, by four it is over. When in the chair, I close my eyes imagine what other people are doing so that I think myself away from the situation, if that makes sense.

Original poster
chocolatespiders · 28/01/2020 19:09

Made an appointment. Earliest Friday that had was 28th Feb so I have weeks stew stew over it now. Should have not cancelled the first one on 7th feb.
Feeling so much better after reading the posts here though and will save hundreds of pounds not paying for sedation.

OP posts:
Butterfly98 · 28/01/2020 20:02

Hi @chocolatespiders you will be fine! I have a fear of dentists but I had to have a back molar tooth out last year as same as you it had split in half so I couldn't have root canal done. I was terrified beforehand and in all honesty I convinced myself at the time that I would have preferred to have had another c-section instead! After the injection had taken effect the dentist had the tooth out in literally less than a minute, he said it's easier when it's split as the tooth is unstable which makes sense I suppose! I had to ask him if it was out and he casually said 'of course'! I always thought there would be a pulling process/sensation but it's actually the opposite, the dentist puts slight pressure on the tooth instead so push towards you rather than pull. HTH

ScaredyCat123 · 28/01/2020 21:58

For me the issue is the pain has subsided a little so keep thinking the tooth might get better (even though all the evidence indicates otherwise) ... think it's my avoidance tactic!

ScaredyCat123 · 31/01/2020 02:01

So tooth extraction late yesterday afternoon. Lots of tugging involved involved and took the dentist 10 minutes to get it out (it snapped on the way out so he had to check to see if all the roots were out)

Painkillers have worn off so awake now and waiting for another set to kick in so I can sleep again ....
Looking at the literature looks like the site will be painful for the first 24 hrs and it will calm down ,... roll on tomorrow afternoon!

Kitcat47 · 31/01/2020 07:55

@ScaredyCat123 hope your feeling better and the pain has subsided. I'm getting mine out today but opted for sedation. I'm still very nervous.

Original poster
chocolatespiders · 31/01/2020 08:40

Oh my goodness poor you - hope you are feeling better this morning and glad it is out

Good luck today Kitcat

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatespiders · 31/01/2020 08:43

@Butterfly98 wow that's the experience I am hoping for. Can you remember what the after care was. Do you have to rinse with salt? Dry socket sounds horrendous and I def dont want that after going through the procedure.

OP posts:
ScaredyCat123 · 31/01/2020 12:26

All the best @Kitcat47 ...x thank you @chocolatespiders

Dull ache now ... managed without painkillers so far this morning ... to be honest it is the site where I had the local anaesthetic which is aching more than the extraction site (it did hurt when I was injected with the numbing stuff!)
Having a nap now so just taken ibuprofen so I can catch up on sleep ..
I haven't swished with salted water just yet. Instructions provided indicate I should wait 24 hours after extraction before bathing (not gargling!) wound with salt water.
Was feeling hungry so ate some mushroom soup which wasn't a good idea as it has bits in it and it was making me paranoid about clot/bits coming out from the extraction site ...!

CelebrityDave · 31/01/2020 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kitcat47 · 31/01/2020 16:51

Mines out!! On way home now. All numb though. The sedation calmed me down. X

ScaredyCat123 · 31/01/2020 20:59

Must be a relief @Kitcat47 !

Princessbanana · 31/01/2020 21:05

I was the same as you when I went to the dentist. It was the build up before it, knowing I had to have it done would make me freak out to the point of a panic attack. I went to my doctor, told him the problem and he prescribed me vallium to take before I went to the dentist. Worked a treat and I had to have a lot of work done on my teeth, so lots of visits. By the last 2 visits, I didn’t need the vallium and now have no problem at all.

keepingbees · 31/01/2020 21:58

I had to have a top wisdom tooth removed. I had never had anything done before, not even a filling and I was so terrified I cancelled the appointment several times!
It was honestly a doddle. Two injections, one cheek and one palate. I'd worked myself up about the palate one as apparently they're very painful. I didn't hardly feel it, and the cheek one just stung a little bit. I expected to have to wait for them to work but they worked almost instantly and she got straight into removing the tooth. I expected pulling and tugging but all she seemed to do was lever a small tool in there for a few seconds and it came out. It was painless and I was out within 5 minutes from start to finish.
I expected pain once the numbness wore off but didn't feel a thing apart from some throbbing when I accidentally laid on that side during the night.
If you follow the aftercare and are careful the risk of dry socket should be small.