S
SallyUK
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 297
Hi
I'm in the UK and currently due to have my upper canine tooth removed and possibly the incisor as well after a nasty infection that hasn't cleared. My dentist advises that removing the canine might do the trick and if not the incisor as well. Apparently it's complicated .... I feel anxious that there seems no certainty about this resolving things
In the name of trying to deal with this differently I am looking for how you may have approached questions to your dentist or if or when you consider a second opinion.
In the past I say yes, grit my teeth and have all the treatment 'told' to me. I ask questions but not usually ones that explore a different treatment plan. I guess I've had no reason to as my dentist has appeared to have a good grasp on caring for my heavily restored dentition and the choices have been clear. But this time he has been a bit confused and admitted that not all dentistry decisions are black and white, they are choices. He has been open to all choices as I've gone through this but says extraction is the next step. Although generally my situation seems to be still changing..... area on gum is now small with a smaller amount of pus (yuk) and tooth less mobile. I'm either wishful thinking but I'm not done with thinking this tooth isn't healing or at least something can be done. It's hard to extract without a clear understanding, but maybe that will be the outcome....
The problem I have is that this step is huge for me and regardless of outcome I need to be in a place of choice when I do it. Not a place of 'I'll do what you say'. This has nothing to do with me criticising him but all about me finding a new way with my lifelong negative feelings about my teeth. A partial denture isn't ideal and even if I can save this tooth a while longer it might give me more time to accept the idea. I am concerned for my mental health and getting in the right mindset to deal with this better and not adding another negative experience to my list...
So, do you ever question the plan and have you got any tips on that or even a second opinion. My dentist is private. If you go elsewhere I guess you need a full check up etc (not sure a new opinion on my whole mouth will make my anxiety worse)
Has your anxiety ever made you feel helpless at the dentists and say yes when you don't really know why and perhaps that adds to feelings of helplessness? How do you empower yourself when the situation is apparently 'hopeless'?
I'm in the UK and currently due to have my upper canine tooth removed and possibly the incisor as well after a nasty infection that hasn't cleared. My dentist advises that removing the canine might do the trick and if not the incisor as well. Apparently it's complicated .... I feel anxious that there seems no certainty about this resolving things
In the name of trying to deal with this differently I am looking for how you may have approached questions to your dentist or if or when you consider a second opinion.
In the past I say yes, grit my teeth and have all the treatment 'told' to me. I ask questions but not usually ones that explore a different treatment plan. I guess I've had no reason to as my dentist has appeared to have a good grasp on caring for my heavily restored dentition and the choices have been clear. But this time he has been a bit confused and admitted that not all dentistry decisions are black and white, they are choices. He has been open to all choices as I've gone through this but says extraction is the next step. Although generally my situation seems to be still changing..... area on gum is now small with a smaller amount of pus (yuk) and tooth less mobile. I'm either wishful thinking but I'm not done with thinking this tooth isn't healing or at least something can be done. It's hard to extract without a clear understanding, but maybe that will be the outcome....
The problem I have is that this step is huge for me and regardless of outcome I need to be in a place of choice when I do it. Not a place of 'I'll do what you say'. This has nothing to do with me criticising him but all about me finding a new way with my lifelong negative feelings about my teeth. A partial denture isn't ideal and even if I can save this tooth a while longer it might give me more time to accept the idea. I am concerned for my mental health and getting in the right mindset to deal with this better and not adding another negative experience to my list...
So, do you ever question the plan and have you got any tips on that or even a second opinion. My dentist is private. If you go elsewhere I guess you need a full check up etc (not sure a new opinion on my whole mouth will make my anxiety worse)
Has your anxiety ever made you feel helpless at the dentists and say yes when you don't really know why and perhaps that adds to feelings of helplessness? How do you empower yourself when the situation is apparently 'hopeless'?
Last edited: