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Dentist appointment was rescheduled and I'm a mess

  • Thread starter Tryingtoovercome
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Tryingtoovercome

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May 31, 2017
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Long story short, I worked up the courage to get my tooth looked at last week. It's an emergency dental place that accepts walk ins and I'm familiar with the place so I went to see why my tooth is hurting and what my options are. They took an X-ray and determined I have an abcsess and two of my teeth need root canals. So I make an appointment for a week later (today) at 4:30. So for an entire week I'm losing sleep, anxious, no appetite, bad mood, having a really rough time. So today is the day and while I'm extremely nervous, I'm Atleast relieved that after my appointment it will be all over for now. Well they call me two hours before my appointment to tell me their heater went out and I would have to reschedule for tomorrow. Problem is, who knows if the heater will truly be fixed by tomorrow and I can't do any other day this week If it isn't done tomorrow so there goes another week of dread, no sleep, and anxiety. To top it off, I've been scared of getting this root canal done because I don't know this dentist and I'm not super confident in him (I have no real reason to feel this way I'm just scared that maybe he's not experienced enough or something) so now I'm wondering if this was a sign to go else where. However that is hard because that means another exam, more X-rays and who knows when they can get me in and it's basically starting all over. I used so much courage just to get here and this reschedule feels like a huge step back. I guess I'm just looking for support. What are your thoughts? Has this ever happened to you?
 
Hi! I can completely understand your frustration. Anticipation of an appointment is often worse than the actual appointment itself so it can be difficult to go through the mental build up only to have nothing to show for it and start over again! Have you had a chance to read any reviews on this dentist? That may help to reassure you in their skills! Something similar to this did happen to me after a mix up with appointment times when getting my first crown prep after a root canal and I was super annoyed because I had already rearranged my whole day and work schedule to accommodate the appointment only to be told I had to come back at another time. Things happen and I know this feels like a big step back but it’s only a minor delay... try to keep yourself busy until you can get things taken care of and be kind to yourself!
 
Thank you so much for your reply. I couldn't find any reviews on the dentist but I decided to go forward even though my gut was telling me not to. I couldn't decide if it was a true gut feeling or just dental anxiety. So I get the root canals and about half way in he broke a file in my tooth and had to refer me out to an endodontist. He put a temp filling in my tooth and now I'm in a worse predicament than I started with. Probably should've listened to my gut ?
 
Oh no! ☹️ So sorry to hear this. I have heard of this happening before even with very experienced dentists. At least he knew to stop and refer to a specialist. I hope you are not in any pain at all in the meantime. When do you see the endodontist? I have only had one root canal which was done by an endo and it was a pretty easy experience so hopefully it will be smooth sailing with the endo for you!
 
That is true! No real pain now so that's good! I'll have to call to schedule something today so hopefully soon! I'm so nervous to go to an all new place and I worry that specialists aren't as gentle for some reason or deal with anxious patients as often as general dentist do
 
I think people are generally afraid of root canals because they have a bad reputation (even non phobics) and more phobics need root canals because they tend to have more extensive dental issues from avoidance/lack of early intervention so I think endos may actually see more anxious patients than general dentists do. My endo was very kind and friendly and 100% focused on my comfort and his assistant was just as lovely. The office seemed very in tune to the fact that people are probably nervous about being there. They had a very spa like atmosphere and even included a short questionnaire about if you felt anxious about the procedure and that was just their general/standard practice with everyone. I think specialists may actually be more gentle and efficient as they are more experienced with these procedures. I like to think that specialists typically went the extra mile in their training because they have a passion for their work and helping people. Keep us posted!
 
That is true! No real pain now so that's good! I'll have to call to schedule something today so hopefully soon! I'm so nervous to go to an all new place and I worry that specialists aren't as gentle for some reason or deal with anxious patients as often as general dentist do
Hi.. I had a root canal last tuesday. My dentist also had a file tip break in my root and it has been there a week. She put a medicated bandage in there as well and a temp filling. I just saw her today and tooth is doing fine. I go back in a couple of weeks to get it completed. I did read that a broken file in tooth does happen even with endodontist doing the procedure. She told me as long as there is no extreme pain or throbbing, it will be fine. She also said that when I go back in aprox. 3 weeks, she will get the broken piece out by reshaping the root canal. Hope this helps. And bravo on getting the procedure done!
 
Hi Tryingtoovercome,

sorry to read about the file :( you said you shouldn't have done it and should have listened to your gut, but like you say - if you're suffering from dental fear, there is no gut feeling, there is just everything in you screaming "don't go there". We must feel relaxed and present for the gut feeling to guide us. I second kitkat, breaking a file sadly happens to experienced dentists too. Hope the endodontist will be nice and able to finish the root canal and will make you feel comfortable along the way. Facing a new dentist is always difficult, so I understand that you have thousand worries about this.

Did you schedule already?
 
Hi Tryingtoovercome,

sorry to read about the file :( you said you shouldn't have done it and should have listened to your gut, but like you say - if you're suffering from dental fear, there is no gut feeling, there is just everything in you screaming "don't go there". We must feel relaxed and present for the gut feeling to guide us. I second kitkat, breaking a file sadly happens to experienced dentists too. Hope the endodontist will be nice and able to finish the root canal and will make you feel comfortable along the way. Facing a new dentist is always difficult, so I understand that you have thousand worries about this.

Did you schedule already?

Thank you. You're right there was no distinguishing between fear and gut feeling. The specialist can't get me in until March 16 but yes it it scheduled! I hate having to wait so long I just want it over and done with
 
Hi.. I had a root canal last tuesday. My dentist also had a file tip break in my root and it has been there a week. She put a medicated bandage in there as well and a temp filling. I just saw her today and tooth is doing fine. I go back in a couple of weeks to get it completed. I did read that a broken file in tooth does happen even with endodontist doing the procedure. She told me as long as there is no extreme pain or throbbing, it will be fine. She also said that when I go back in aprox. 3 weeks, she will get the broken piece out by reshaping the root canal. Hope this helps. And bravo on getting the procedure done!

Thank you for sharing. It feels good to know someone else is going through this with me. I scheduled my retreatment but the earliest they could get me in was March 16. I just hate waiting I want it over and done with. Please let me know how your next appointment goes
 
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