PhilDawson8270
Veteran
I don't usually post this kind of thing, nor really comment much on this kind of thing so I feel a bit of a fraud posting on this topic, but I'm hoping for some encouragement, and information from experience.
Background:
Long term fear of dentists which I believe came from my parents, as my immediate family all have this same fear. At 15 the dentist found that my mouth was overcrowded. The solution then was to remove a couple, and reshape my jaw to better fit teeth in later. I declined at this point.
At 17 I needed a root canal which wasn't a pleasant experience due to severe pain from lack of anaesthetic.
This reinforced my fear of dentists. Shamefully, 12 years of poor dental hygiene (I hate to admit this), and after biting a fork got me worried about my teeth.
This brings us to now, well 6 or so months ago.
I found a wonderful, friendly, patient dentist. Who managed to repair nearly all of my teeth, thankfully all my front ones. The back I have 6 or 7 that are broken at the gum line, from a mixture of overcrowding, and poor hygiene.
It took 2 visits for all the fillings, but each time relatively fine. A little short on anaesthetic, meaning that the teeth were sensitive when they were drilled, but I could simply raise my hand and she would give me more.
At the 2nd visit I was told that the broken teeth really need to come out as they aren't functional, and a serious risk of infection (I have just had an abscess drained too as it did get infected waiting for treatment). Being comfortable with the dentist I agreed, and was referred to my local Hospital's Oral and Maxillofacial surgery department.
I have been to the consultation, from the X-Rays alone they seem to think it's all fairly straightforward, and would do it all in 1 session under local anaesthetic.
Now, I have been back to the dentist for a check up, as until this is sorted I'm on 3 monthly check ups. I must say it was very nice, and relaxing for the dentist to say that electric brush, and regular cleaning means my teeth all look healthy, and gums are looking normal again. So it is nice to know that I haven't totally destroyed what I have got left.
But my appointment is on Tuesday 15th November, but now the anxiety has started. It is like the fear I had when I was a young adult again where severe toothache was preferable. But now, I am older and wise enough to know this really needs to be done.
But I am not as comfortable with 6/7 tooth extractions under local as I thought I was now it is getting close. I have tried to get through to the department but they seem impossible to get hold of, and the appointment line is the only one I can reach. As I would really like to know if it is too late to request some form of sedation, gas and air for example.
So the short version:
6/7 extractions at the gumline, that may need gum removing to access
What to expect? What does it feel like? Do they take long to come out?
Can I request something like gas and air on the day?
My biggest worry is that I usually have a high tolerance to local anaesthetic at the dentist, meaning I get them to give more when they start drilling. But, with an extraction, the first chance I will get is when they grab and pull on the tooth. I am worried that this will hurt, a LOT before I get chance for more local anaesthetic. Do they even use the same anaesthetic as a regular dentist?
So, any experiences from patients or NHS staff is greatly appreciated.
Apologies for the long thread.
Background:
Long term fear of dentists which I believe came from my parents, as my immediate family all have this same fear. At 15 the dentist found that my mouth was overcrowded. The solution then was to remove a couple, and reshape my jaw to better fit teeth in later. I declined at this point.
At 17 I needed a root canal which wasn't a pleasant experience due to severe pain from lack of anaesthetic.
This reinforced my fear of dentists. Shamefully, 12 years of poor dental hygiene (I hate to admit this), and after biting a fork got me worried about my teeth.
This brings us to now, well 6 or so months ago.
I found a wonderful, friendly, patient dentist. Who managed to repair nearly all of my teeth, thankfully all my front ones. The back I have 6 or 7 that are broken at the gum line, from a mixture of overcrowding, and poor hygiene.
It took 2 visits for all the fillings, but each time relatively fine. A little short on anaesthetic, meaning that the teeth were sensitive when they were drilled, but I could simply raise my hand and she would give me more.
At the 2nd visit I was told that the broken teeth really need to come out as they aren't functional, and a serious risk of infection (I have just had an abscess drained too as it did get infected waiting for treatment). Being comfortable with the dentist I agreed, and was referred to my local Hospital's Oral and Maxillofacial surgery department.
I have been to the consultation, from the X-Rays alone they seem to think it's all fairly straightforward, and would do it all in 1 session under local anaesthetic.
Now, I have been back to the dentist for a check up, as until this is sorted I'm on 3 monthly check ups. I must say it was very nice, and relaxing for the dentist to say that electric brush, and regular cleaning means my teeth all look healthy, and gums are looking normal again. So it is nice to know that I haven't totally destroyed what I have got left.
But my appointment is on Tuesday 15th November, but now the anxiety has started. It is like the fear I had when I was a young adult again where severe toothache was preferable. But now, I am older and wise enough to know this really needs to be done.
But I am not as comfortable with 6/7 tooth extractions under local as I thought I was now it is getting close. I have tried to get through to the department but they seem impossible to get hold of, and the appointment line is the only one I can reach. As I would really like to know if it is too late to request some form of sedation, gas and air for example.
So the short version:
6/7 extractions at the gumline, that may need gum removing to access
What to expect? What does it feel like? Do they take long to come out?
Can I request something like gas and air on the day?
My biggest worry is that I usually have a high tolerance to local anaesthetic at the dentist, meaning I get them to give more when they start drilling. But, with an extraction, the first chance I will get is when they grab and pull on the tooth. I am worried that this will hurt, a LOT before I get chance for more local anaesthetic. Do they even use the same anaesthetic as a regular dentist?
So, any experiences from patients or NHS staff is greatly appreciated.
Apologies for the long thread.