Petrified at the thought of implants. Please reassure me!

[JohnPrescottsPyjamas]

I’ve had two previously filled molars (upper and lower on opposite sides) collapse on me in the last 6 months. Previously, no particular issue with my teeth apart from the usual stuff and generally fit and well.

My dentist is lovely and has used some sort of resin to rebuild the damage but says she is not confident that it is a long term solution and I may need to look at either a bridge or implants in the near future. There is insufficient tooth for a crown.

I don’t really fancy a bridge as it looks like it involves the teeth either side - unless I’ve got that wrong - so I’m assuming I will probably go for implants.
The thought of teeth removal and posts being inserted into my gums fills me with horror as I find the dentist’s chair traumatic enough plus the choking feeling with the water! Is it really that bad and am I working myself up into a pointless panic?

Thanks!

Thank you for all the replies.

I actually feel a lot more reassured and less pressurised to make an immediate decision. The lower molar is towards the front of my moth so a gap there might be more visible if I’m smiling widely. That one is actually a baby tooth which has done amazingly well to last as long as it has. If/when it finally capitulates, I’ll probably go for an implant.

The upper molar is towards the back of my mouth and has always been very tight against its neighbours and literally a pain if I got anything caught in it and was very difficult to clean between. If I end up losing it completely, it won’t be a major loss as it is not visible anyway.

Your experiences and descriptions have been so useful and really appreciated.