Alternative to extraction?

[pigeonkisses]

I have finally got my assessment with Dental Access who are now sending me to another town where I can get IV sedation.

I have one upper wisdom tooth that needs removing. I am scared of that, but I think it will be simple as it is very mobile.

Other issue that came up is that I have the bottom wisdom tooth on the same side, that one is broken and has had temporary filling since lockdown - it's sturdy stuff... So I have some bleeding and a little 'tag' on the side of my tooth. The dentist at dental access said there was chronic infection in the root and that's why I was getting some bleeding when I brush my teeth it's a sinus that formed to drain the infection or something and she recommended it came out at the same time as the top one.

Thing is, my third molar on that side is gone, so this would leave me with one second molar all on its own. I am wondering if there's any way that the dental access dentist could do a root canal while I am under IV sedation and if my usual dentist could put something on it or reconstruct it. The roots feel very solid, the tooth (what's left of it anyway) is not moving at all, and I am also scared (terrified) that it will be difficult to remove and I will be in a lot of pain afterwards. Plus, that one second molar standing all on its own makes me think that it will be more problems down the road.

I would rather hang on to my teeth if at all possible, this is driving me crazy since I was told yesterday. I know that with Dental Access referrals there is a long waiting list, I will need a second assessment and then another wait for the actual procedure. I wish that tooth didn't have to come out if there is a way to save the root and get the top rebuilt. Is that something that could be done?

 

[Gordon]

Thing is, my third molar on that side is gone, so this would leave me with one second molar all on its own. I am wondering if there's any way that the dental access dentist could do a root canal while I am under IV sedation and if my usual dentist could put something on it or reconstruct it. The roots feel very solid, the tooth (what's left of it anyway) is not moving at all, and I am also scared (terrified) that it will be difficult to remove and I will be in a lot of pain afterwards. Plus, that one second molar standing all on its own makes me think that it will be more problems down the road.

That is the 3rd molar. I guess you mean the first molar is gone

Doesn't sound like there's much chance of saving it to be honest and there's no way I'd attempt such a complex and challenging job under IV sedation. A second molar on its own is perfectly satisfactory, there's no reason it will cause any issues later.
Extraction will be straightforward and there's no great likelihood you'll be in pain afterwards.

 

[pigeonkisses]

@Gordon Yes sorry, the first molar is gone.

Thanks for your reply. So you reckon it'd be easier (for me included) to have it taken out at the same time? I am really hoping the sedation will knock me out quite a bit because the whole yanking and crunching noises will haunt me forever. I had a very bad traumatic experience with an endoscopy before and I had trouble falling asleep each night for a few months afterwards. Needless to say I am not looking forward to this visit at all. My MIL went to get a wisdom tooth out recently and she said it took almost an hour to remove it? Her face was swollen, bruised and causing pain for a couple weeks afterwards, I am worried that it might be the same for me.

I am so fed up with teeth (and my stupid fear of procedures), my bite has moved tons in the past 15 years or so, so much so that despite having only two first molars missing (bottom right and top left) the only teeth that I have that actually touch now are my 2nd molars. So my lone second molar on the bottom is going to have a lot of work on its own. I think that at 60, I am a little old to have that rectified anyway.

 

[Gordon]

It's usually best to have everything needed doing in a single procedure, so yes, if you can get it done, then do it.
If IV is done well you should have virtually zero memory of the entire process.

 

[pigeonkisses]

Thanks Gordon, I guess I don't have much of a choice anyway. I woke up today with half of my top left wisdom tooth missing so it's going to be a triple extraction. I am really not coping with this at all.

 

[KeTa]

Hiya. Over the last 5 years, I've had a few root canals and extractions due to what my dentist thinks is bruxism. Never actually had decay or infection, but my molars have been a nightmare.

Extractions, and being in my late 40's, I expected them to be tough from everything i have read, but never actually had an issue getting any of them out. They've all taken from 2mins - 5mins tops to come out. Never been sedated, either, so local was what i had. Two have been lower wisdom teeth which were fully erupted.

Root canals, to be honest, that tooth sounds too far gone, but I'm not a dentist, just talking as someone who has had 7 root canals, and 3 wisdom teeth removed. Root canals actually take longer and usually require two appointments. One to remove the nerves and clean the root canals, the second usually to do the root canal itself. The second appointment can take up to 2 hours. Imo, there's pro and cons to each. You always want to keep teeth where possible, but that is not always possible as it sounds to be in your case. Personally, i found root canal recovery more painful than extractions, but that's just me.

Seriously, if one tooth is mobile, it will be out in seconds.

 

[pigeonkisses]

@KeTa thanks for your input. Yeah I am guessing that it will be the only option, I just have major issues with dentistry in general and extractions scare the hell out of me in every aspect. I know that the wobbly one will be out easily but the bottom one in particular has really solid roots and that's mainly what worries me. And now the other top one that broke night before last, that one is also not mobile at all.

So many what ifs. I think most of my problems are due to old fillings and bruxism. I had 2 wisdom teeth break during lockdown and both had old metal fillings, which I understand can weaken the structure of teeth with time. I had one root canal before, I was sedated for the procedure but I don't remember it being painful to heal, I was in a different country and I failed to have it properly finished off once I got back home so it eventually got really bad and I had to have it removed. That was ages ago.