Any dentists/ dental assistants on here?

[katem98]

Hi all,

I've had a bad tooth for maybe 5 years now. I'm absolutely petrified of the dentist. Had 2 kids and this is still what I'm scared of. Half of the tooth chipped off whilst I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Pain was always bearable but now it's just getting increasingly uncomfortable. It feels that a nerve is obviously exposed. I can't eat on that side, every time I take a breath in through my mouth, the cold hits the tooth and even that's painful. Does anyone know if this would be worthy of an extraction? My guess is that's it's past the point of root canal/ filling. Does anyone know if I'd be able to be referred to have it out under general? I honestly can't express how terrified I am - anything mouth wise makes me cringe. Should also add that I'm not actually registered at a dentist as I haven't been in so long I know it's silly but I really can't help it! Any experience would be greatly appreciated! P.S, sorry for the gross pic.

Not a dentist but I had similar filled a few weeks back. Was told if it breaks again will probably need a crown.

@LIZS Gosh, I don't even know if I'm past that point. So terrified!

Bump..

I’d say an extraction looks like an appropriate option for that tooth. You need to go and have a dental examInation and x rays first. Your options would be local anaesthetic (injections to numb the area) or sedation.
A general anaesthetic is unusual for one straightforward extraction and nhs waiting lists in most areas are well over 2 years.

Thank you @Powerfulpam! Can sedation be performed in a general dentist practice or does it have to be a dental hospital type place? I'm so nervous but it's really beginning to hurt!

Dentist here. It looks pretty bad. Most likely unrestorable. Just be really open with your dentist- you're dental phobic and would need the extraction with sedation. You better go quick because you'll need a referral for this. The waiting list can take months.

@chilliplant634 Thank you for that! I did think it'd gone past it. Here in Bristol I think referrals to dental hospitals are taking around a year. Not 100% but work in a GP Practice and one of the patients mentioned it. Maybe I just need to brave it and go for local anaesthetic it's the thought of feeing the nerves etc when they're removing the tooth that gets me. I can deal with tugging/ pressure (had 2 c-sections)!

There should be no pain with local anaesthetic just the sensation of pressure. This will be the quickest option.
Many general practices provide sedation but you will wait longer particularly if you need NHS care

@katem98 I agree, the only treatment that can be done is an extraction.Taking the tooth out involves plenty of anaesthetic and then very firm pressure, pushing and rocking.
You'll need to see a dentist and have x-rays so they can refer you to the Dental Hospital. The current waiting times are currently about 30 weeks at BDH but all the hospitals seem to have been doing weekend sessions to reduce the waiting lists so they are improving. As @chilliplant634 said you need to just be honest about your phobia and have a discussion about what you can cope with. The General Anaesthetic waiting times are even longer and they would offer that as a last resort.
NHS access in the south West is awful so it will be a case of calling around to see if any practices can see you as an emergency and can refer you if you think that sedation is what you can cope with.

Aw @katem98 I feel your literal pain! Been in similar position had 2 kids etc but the dentist terrifies me! My one I found ended up being private (at the time had insurance so paid back) and she was amazing. Not sure how much extractions cost these days under NHS but I hope it is reasonable and get you out of this pain! Good luck x

Sorry to crash but is there a maximum weight for conscious sedation? Can you drink alcohol the night before?

Thank you all!

@User1234567891011121314 Horrid isn't it! Glad you got yours sorted in the end 

@MillyMollyMardy Thanks for your reply. If worst came to worst and I had to call 111, would I be able to go through NHS with an emergency appointment? Obviously aware I'd just have to settle for local anaesthetic!

I’ve had an extraction and I can safely say I found it far preferable to any filling I’ve ever had! I had a crown last year but now I’m at the point I may need root canal. I will be going with extraction followed by an implant if it’s an option. Root canal is the last thing I want to have!

Whether you can access nhs care through 111 really depends on access in your area. Most nhs practices in England are not accepting new patients. Nhs 111 often have out of date information as to which practices are able to see new patients who are in pain. If you have a local dental hospital they usually have emergency clinics however be warned that slots go very quickly each day. The best way to access nhs care is to call practices in your area and be willing to travel.

@BouncyBalls4U
Yes, weight & BMI are taken into account when risk assessing for IV sedation. Also dependent on any co-morbidities.
Separately, most dental chairs have a weight capacity of 22 stone /139kg.

Thank you all, really appreciate the help.

I will call around every dental practice tomorrow - fingers crossed!

Access to NHS dentists is really limited at the moment OP; even in very deprived areas, General practices are making the decision to leave the NHS.

Good luck with the phone calls tomorrow.
Why don't you also have a look online also at private dental practices that offer IV sedation ? It may not be as expensive as you think. Even if you can't find an NHS dentist, it may be £100 ish well spent to go for a private exam & radiographs and ask them to refer you to Bristol dental hospital for IV sed for your extraction.

@Underscore21 Thank you for answering my question
@katem98 Good luck with your tooth you'll feel better once it's taken care of.

When you phone and get turned down for NHS, ask what it would cost privately for a single extraction with local anaesthetic. It may well be more affordable than you think.

I've just been having a look online at private dental practices. Does this seem a little too cheap? I was expecting hundreds for an extraction tbh. Examination and Radiographs are only £70, too.

It looks OK, but they have not included sedation in the cost of the extraction and that will make it significantly more expensive. Plus you would have to check whether they are even able to offer it.

Alternatively if you think you can cope with it under local anaesthetic then go for it. I would budget for the maximum cost. I.e. exam, radiographs and surgical extraction. You'll get a better idea once the dentist has seen the radiograph and can tell you how difficult the extraction is likely to be.

That's about average re private dental fees OP plus everything that @chilliplant634 has said.

Thank you both! Sorry, understand that they're not inc sedation etc. I think I might just see how it goes and brave it

You don’t feel the nerves or anything else at the time. It’s not just that area that’s numb, it’s a big section of your mouth and face.

Theres just some pushing and pulling and sometimes it’s a bit noisy. But no pain.

@1VY Thank you for the reassurance. So nervous!