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Any dentists/ dental assistants on here?

49 replies

katem98 · 29/06/2022 13:40

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 ofHmm. 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/ fillingGrin. 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 longSad 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.

Any dentists/ dental assistants on here?
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HiDeDi · 29/06/2022 20:19

I have had loads of dental work.

I think I paid about £125 for an extraction at a private dentist a few years ago. As procedures go an extraction is the quickest and easiest (compared to fillings/crown prep/root canals etc).

You will feel so much better when that tooth is out. Trust me.

MillyMollyMardy · 29/06/2022 21:16

@katem98 if you ring 111 in the daytime you'll usually be asked to phone around Dental Practices. Out of hours and weekends 111 have access to emergency clinics but they are pretty overwhelmed. I was told by a colleague that in their experience recently the emergency clinic at BDH will only see pain with swelling as well (this is anecdotal I've not tried).
Have a look at Bristol Anaesthetic Clinic if you want an idea of sedation prices privately.

katem98 · 29/06/2022 21:29

Thank you @MillyMollyMardy. I've just had a good look, there's one only down the road from me too.

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RudsyFarmer · 29/06/2022 21:34

Good luck OP. Please don’t leave it as you don’t want any infection to get into the bone and affect other teeth as well as your health generally ❤️

katem98 · 29/06/2022 21:34

@RudsyFarmer Omg can that happen?! I definitely won't leave it, thank youSmile

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RudsyFarmer · 29/06/2022 21:36

I’m not a dentist but I would assume if the tooth is decaying there is a high chance of infection and if the infection is left it can erode the bone. So it’s really important you maintain your momentum and get that tooth seen to professionally. An X-ray would be massively helpful too to see what’s going on in your mouth overall.

1VY · 04/07/2022 11:12

How did you get on @katem98 ?

katem98 · 04/07/2022 19:48

@1VY I paid as a private patient in the end. I have an initial consultation booked for next Wednesday (hoping they'll do X-Ray at this appointment. They said if it's a simple extraction then they could potentially extract it there and then. Decided to bite the bullet and just go for local anaesthetic!

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katem98 · 04/07/2022 19:49

On that note... does anyone know if this would be classed as a simple extraction? And also, strange question... I think I've decided that my fear is based upon that pointy metal device the Dentist uses to examine your teeth... am I able to request that this is not used? I remember as a child needing a filling and the Dentist poked around in my tooth hole for ages and was hitting a nerve or something - wasn't pleasant!

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noway100 · 04/07/2022 20:02

katem98 · 04/07/2022 19:49

On that note... does anyone know if this would be classed as a simple extraction? And also, strange question... I think I've decided that my fear is based upon that pointy metal device the Dentist uses to examine your teeth... am I able to request that this is not used? I remember as a child needing a filling and the Dentist poked around in my tooth hole for ages and was hitting a nerve or something - wasn't pleasant!

I think it would be simple yes. Yes you can request anything you like, you have to give consent for things. Read more here:
www.dentalfearcentral.org/help/

katem98 · 04/07/2022 20:07

Thank you @noway100 That's really helpful. I'll have a look through Smile

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MammaWeasel · 04/07/2022 20:08

Yes, you can request that they don't use the pointy thing. Good luck!

katem98 · 04/07/2022 20:13

Thank you @MammaWeasel! Any idea what the pointy thing is called so I don't sound like an utter toolGrin

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blibblibs · 04/07/2022 20:22

The pointy thing is called a probe.
Good luck for Wednesday.

Summerhillsquare · 04/07/2022 20:25

Yes, do make that request, and think about other things that make you feel more in control. I had a dental phobia for years, and that is one of the techniques I used to overcome it.

BletchleyPark · 04/07/2022 20:27

Dentist here! First of all - good on you for booking the appointment and giving it a go. I second a pp advice to let the team know that you're nervous - ideally as soon as possible. I treat phobic patients differently to those who aren't. There are lots of things you can do to help during the appointment - some of my nervous patients like to bring headphones and listen to podcasts/music, close your eyes, others prefer to have nonsense blabbed at them by my nurse! I have to say a particularly proud moment of mine was with a nervous patient, who fell asleep during a root canal on his 5th appointment or so!

In terms of it being a simple extraction - that usually depends on the roots which your dentist will only know once you've had the X ray. Best of luck and well done for booking it, remember we deal with this (including the phobia) week in, week out. 😁

katem98 · 04/07/2022 20:27

Thanks @blibblibs

And thanks @Summerhillsquare I'll do that, thanks for the advice. For some reason, the last few days I've had no pain with it whatsoever!

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katem98 · 04/07/2022 20:29

Thanks very much @BletchleyPark! I figured, if I don't start at least trying to go, how will I make my children Wink Definitely reassuring to be reminded that you deal with this on a daily basis! I'm sure they'll sense my nerves from a mile off Grin but I will definitely let them know, too!

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1VY · 05/07/2022 16:32

Well done for making the appointment, I know it’s not easy.

Its fine to ask the dentist not to use the probe, or if they have to , to tell you first. You can also say if you want to be told what’s happening at every stage , or just in general terms. Whatever works for you.

Remember at any time you can raise your hand from your lap and the dentist will stop what she is doing ( don’t touch her hands obviously ! ). You are in control all the time - they won’t do anything without your consent.

Its fine if you need to ask to take a break for a minute.

You can ask for numbing cream first before you have the injection of the local anaesthetic. It helps a bit but it will still nip - more or less depending on which tooth is coming out.

Once that takes effect you won’t have any pain. But it will be noisy with drilling and suction and a perhaps bit of pulling at the end. There’s lots of changing from one drill to another, then pulling, then a bit more drilling , so it does take a bit of time.

Once the dentist has the x ray she will have an idea of how easy a job it’s likely to be - it depends on the way the root is growing , that’s why they can’t tell just looking at your mouth.

Once the local anaesthetic wears off you will be tender and you can take painkillers and eat soft food or on the other side of your mouth. But it’s not as sore as toothache, you will be able to go about your daily life.

You will probably feel a bit shaken up though, so take it easy if you can for the next couple of days. It’s more psychological than physical IME. So don’t arrange a night out after work the next day - sit on the sofa with a box set instead.

It’s very important to follow your dentists instructions for after care exactly , to ensure everything heals up nicely.

katem98 · 13/07/2022 10:17

Thank you so much for that @1VY Sorry, I've only just seen your post!

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katem98 · 13/07/2022 10:19

Update!

Had the appointment today, thank goodness that part was over with!

I need 2x fillings and a scale and polish which comes to... £290!

And, I've been referred to have my broken tooth out under sedation, I think she mentioned it's rooted near my sinus? Might be wrong but she was worried about it snapping if they did it there and then. This is on an NHS wait list currently 6-8 weeks.

Thank you all so much for your advice, really appreciated Smile

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Underscore21 · 13/07/2022 18:25

Well done OP.
Glad to hear there's a structured plan now in place.

1VY · 13/07/2022 22:32

Thanks for the update.

How did you cope with getting the fillings done ? Was it as bad as you feared ?

katem98 · 14/07/2022 08:02

@1VY they couldn't do them there and then, I had to book! So still waiting but not AS nervous as I was tbh

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