Periodontal disease

I have recently been told i have very advanced periodontal disease and need painful treatment for the rest of my life ( i added the painful in after 3 said treatments up to now).

My nhs dentist has told me as some roots are showing i have to get used to the pain of sensitivity, as there is nothing she can do and told me if and when i lose my teeth i will be facing false ones because i will be rejected for implants as i smoke (tried several times to quite, too distressed and made myself ill) and said even if i pack in and opt for implants i'd need a bone graft from my hip to perform this and it could still fail!

Private dentist who i snook off to see agreed that i do have very advanced periodontal disease and because of my age (below 40) believes this to be prodominately genetic, states i do need life long treatment, but if i lose anymore bone ( he reckons ive lost about a quarter bone and gums have receded quite a bit) hes mentioned getting referred to a bone specialist and quickly getting implants.

The information is conflictive and don't know whether to believe NHS dentist who doesn't care what happens to me and makes it obvious she doesn't like smokers or try to understand how strong the addiction can be or the lovely private one who keeps throwing figures at me, which i could never afford unless i sold my house and lived on the streets!

So alls i have to look forward to is painful treatments several times a year for the rest of my life, which i feel i can't cope with much longer, strong sensivitity in my teeth to the point of pain, losing my teeth and having to learn how to eat and speak again, not to mention aging by about 30 yrs in a few short months.

Yes, i'm vain, but i'm so distressed now that i just want to quit my job and hide away until i die!

The stress and upset is affecting my health. I know there is no cure for this, but do i have to live the rest of my life in pain along with being ugly and gummy?

Hi toothlesstobe ,

Sorry about your gum issues -me too. I quit smoking 2 months ago after a 35 yr/2 pk a day habit, my husband said he thought he'd never see the day. So it is possible to help yourself and your gum health that way. It does make the gum disease a lot worse. You're welcome to read my journal. I used the drug Chantix here in the US which helped and some behavioral therapy from my psychologist friend on this forum, Stress Doc.

I quit because of gum disease and the need for implants. From my research though, smoking only increases the risk of failure a few percentage points. I'm not sure of the NHS rules if that automatically excludes you. The implants will stop further bone loss if you take care of them.

It sounds like you have options that's good, but in the meantime, my big question to you is why does it have to be painful. Surely the periodontist or dentist has to realize that no one is going to submit themselves to repetitive painful procedures. Ask for a local anesthetic or numbing gel or nitrous oxide, no take that back -demand it!

rp

Your poll didn't offer the option of both! Doesn't really apply for me though because everything you're saying is ringing true. Painful treatment that doesn't really solve the problem and the feeling of nothing to look forward to. I hate the cleaning too - I'm going today for the next part of mine and another bunch of fillings.

Are you getting treatment for the depression? It won't solve the problems but it might get you into an emotionally stronger position so you can tackle them yourself. You'll still need support but that why we're here.

I didn't quit smoking until about quit-attempt number 46... In hind sight the other damn good tries were practice runs for the real thing. I learned from those what undid me so I could be ready for them next time. In the end it did come down to bloody-minded determination, realising the worst of it was over in a couple of weeks and each time the cravings hit again I could look back and think that was so hard I am NOT going to give in now and have to do it AGAIN. (The biggest lesson was learning to relax into it rather than fight it but that's a personal thing.) Only you can make you strong enough and determined enough to beat it. And that won't happen until you have a reason good enough and enough practice runs on the board to know how.

Sorry I can't help much other than that. Hopefully some of the others will chime in on the periodontal problem. Take a look at some of the journals though - some people here have gotten through some amazing stuff and come out of it with pretty smiles.

Amanda