Desperate need for support or advice (dentures)

[2oothurty]

I have really bad PTSD when it comes to the dentist, to the point where I shake. I’ve always had an incredible fear, but a few years ago when I got my top teeth removed + denture in, I was terrified and showed up with a list of questions. The surgeon was so rude and rolling his eyes and stuck the needle in my arm and sedated me when I was halfway through the first question.

I should have gotten my bottoms removed shortly after that but I was terrified to go back. Now I have such broken, painful bottom teeth and have a new dentist that’s doing the bottom. The surgery is scheduled for the 12th, and I do not trust this man.

I’ve been fighting abscesses for the last month and just started antibiotics today for the 3rd time this month. I have a dark purple mass/boil/idk what behind my gums that just popped up tonight, panicking about that now too.

But I was at the dentist a few days ago, and they told me they’re planning to have me awake for extractions…I instantly started sobbing. They said if I want some sort of sedation, I’d either A) take lorazepam + laughing gas (which I was going to choose because it was the cheapest option, but I cannot take lorazepam while on suboxone) or I’d have to pay $2500+ for someone to come in to sedate me by IV which is what I want but $2500 is unrealistic on top of having to pay $1500 out of pocket for the bone grafting that they claim I need.

With this infection that I’ve been fighting for the last month and barely able to function with, I can’t find another place or an actual oral surgeon and wait for a new patient appointment. I would also have to wait for them to make me a bottom denture, which could take a few appointments. It’s a very real possibility that this infection could spread and cause sepsis and even kill me. I am at my wits end and so terrified, I don’t know what to do anymore. The fear itself of having to go through all of this is more than enough to try and deal with, but it’s all become so overwhelmingly complicated. I don’t know what I’m looking for here. Support yes, but hoping someone may have gone through a similar experience and has advice….

 

[jessi500]

So everyone is different, take what I say with a grain of salt. First and foremost, if you have the funds or ability to go to any other dentist, I would urge you to do so. Many health professionals are rude, but if possible, you should be able to to find one that actually does their job and answers questions.

Other than that I was in the same boat with my top four teeth about 9 years ago. They gave me laughing gas and honestly, I had more issues with that then I did with my full lower extraction I got 2 days ago.

During this extraction, I only received 2 generic Halcion pills. I took one 30 min previously and one when I got to the dentist. I was awake the whole time, but can only remember bits and pieces.

When I had the laughing gas, I woke up scared, but with these pills, I was just relaxed and my dentist coached me through (from what I can remember of it).

Again, if you're at all able to, try to find a dentist that makes you comfortable. It makes all the difference. Otherwise, keep in mind that this is just one procedure and once it's over, those teeth will never need to be extracted again.

 

[jessi500]

@2oothurty Also, in addition to working better for me, the pills were only 15 bucks at cvs without insurance.

 

[2oothurty]

@jessi500 thank you SO much for replying, and for your suggestions. I’m getting full lower extractions as well and I’m terrified. They’re making me pay $2200 out of pocket just for sedation (moderate sedation, they say) and as desperately as I want to go to a different dentist, I cannot wait any longer because I just finished my 3rd round of antibiotics this month just a few days ago, and my abscess is already back. They refused to pull the 2 problem teeth when the abscess popped up originally 6 weeks ago, they’d only pull them all out together. I would have to wait for a new patient appointment, an impressions appointment, wait for a new denture to be made and for a new surgery date with a new dentist. I feel like they did this on purpose, and I’ve been so lost and so overwhelmed for weeks. But that last part of what you said just brought me the first bit of relief that I’ve felt in over a month…that it is just one procedure and I’ll never have to worry about them again. I’m actually writing that down, because I really needed to read that right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I haven’t had anyone to talk to about this

 

[jessi500]

@2oothurty I get it! I was terrified, but I felt so much relief from getting all my infected teeth out. I won't lie and say it's easy, I'll probably be eating mush food that I can't chew for a week or so, but the healing pains are still better than the pains from my infections. The immediate takes a bit of getting used to, but it makes the extractions sites a bit safer and it was nice to see a full set of teeth there (even if it isn't my perfect permanent set).

Just get yourself some of your favorite yogurt, soft foods, etc and some good movies to watch while you heal. Just remember the end game: a good looking smile that doesn't hurt everytime to eat.

 

[2oothurty]

@jessi500 thank you so much for your kind and reassuring words I obviously don’t know you but it is kind of a relief hearing someone else can relate and that you’re doing better. I had a small miracle happen and the dentist who did my top extractions/denture called to make a 6 month check up appt which was a surprise because I thought I’d have to wait for a new patient appointment with them. It felt like a sign. My extraction appt with the dentist I don’t want to work with is this wednesday but I’m postponing it to discuss the surgery with the dentist I want to do the surgery again. Not only would I be so much more comfortable with them, but it’d save me $4000+ as they’ll do everything for free (well, fully covered by my insurance.) I am afraid that the infection will spread in the time I have to wait, but this dentist will likely be willing to extract the abscessed teeth while I wait for the full extraction surgery, the other dentist refused. Likely so I wouldn’t have any other option than to let them do it and pay $4000+. I’m cautiously hopeful, but just want to thank you again. Your words have really helped me this past week. I kept looking at the note that I wrote with your words about how it’s one appointment then I’m done, and I needed that!