So scared.. I just wish I knew what I'll have to go through

I'm going to (hopefully) be making an appointment this coming week or the next.

I'm not really scared of the needle, but I'm scared of not knowing what is going to need to be done to get me healthy again. Like fillings, extractions, root canals. I just wish I had some idea of what I might have to have done. It's the vast unknown that's making me so utterly terrified. Plus how much it'll cost, and all the usual little fears that we all deal with here. And the fear of pain. Though I know with a good dentist there shouldn't be any.. I'm still scared.

But yes, it's the not knowing what I'm going to be going through that scares me the most right now. I keep telling myself that yes, it's going to be great once I get everything done. But I keep thinking "but what am I going to have to get through to get to that happy place ?"

I am in the exact same boat as you. I have one tooth that is broken horizontally, several that are rotting, nearly all of them have cavities and I could probably use several root canals or possibly even extractions. I will likely have to have surgery of some type to remove the broken tooth that's jutting out of my gums.

I've come down with a tooth infection over the last few days which has left me with a swollen face and the inability to eat. I've been living off of yogurt and icewater for a few days now.

I know it's time to get everything fixed, but my number one worst fear is that I will see a dentist and they will say my teeth are too far gone. Just pull 'em and get dentures. The thought of that makes my stomach flop.

I've got limited means and would only be able to do a few procedures every few months. That's also scary - what if they can't wait? I know I have a lot of work that needs to be done. I'm equal parts anxious and terrified to get started and find out what the damage is.

Hi moonbunny

Well done for looking forward to that 'happy place' ..... it is a great place to be

I take it your dentist knows you have a phobia. In that case he will be more then happy to explain everything in great detail and if you can't afford all the treatment in one go I am sure they will come up with a plan even if that includes 'patching up' a tooth until a later date - it is amazing what they can do.

Just be honest with them, they can't help you if they don't know

I had all the same phobias and fears as you and was convinced I would have to have all my teeth removed, however...
I have just found a wonderful dentist who told me in all the many years he had been a dentist (and as he specialises in phobic patients they ususally have teeth that haven't been treated for a long long time) he has only ever had to remove all the teeth from one patient. He said that was only because as he breathed in and out they were all moving around!
He said dentistry has come on such a long way it really is the very last resort to remove a tooth.
I am just starting out on my journey to a healthy white smile after thinking the worst.
Good luck and it really will not be as bad as you imagine.

Thank you all for the support, I really do appreciate it so much.

And firexcracker, we really are in a very similar boat. The fear of the unknown ("what's the damage") and how you're going to pay can be just as bad as fear of being in the chair.