Erupted wisdom tooth removal - many concerns

[starryeyes]

Hello everyone!

This may be long and rambling and ridiculous, so apologies in advance.


Some background: I'm 32, autistic, and I have panic attacks. I had ten teeth pulled when I was a teenager due to severe crowding, and have been terrified of dental work ever since.


At the very beginning of this month, a chunk of my upper right wisdom tooth broke off while I was eating. I knew I finally had to go in, and I did. No cavities anywhere except for both upper wisdom teeth - the right side had decayed, hence the break.

I am scheduled for wisdom teeth removal in four weeks. Both teeth are fully erupted, no impaction at all. The negative to this is that my insurance will not pay for any sedation, only local anesthesia. If I want deep sedation I'd have to pay almost 1500 USD which I cannot afford.


I am severely anxious about a few issues.

1. Is extraction more likely to be easier and faster since they are both fully erupted? I'm not concerned with the pain during the procedure, but since I'm autistic I have pretty severe sensory issues. Having my head yanked around, hearing any cracks, etc are going to up my anxiety intensely.

2. Am I more likely to have an easier recovery? I want to completely avoid stronger painkillers if possible. I've obsessively read guides on what to avoid after extraction, but the anxiety is still there

3. My right tooth is pretty decayed and now broken, but I am not experiencing any pain or infection. I'm brushing and using mouthwash daily to try and avoid further decay, but I'm still concerned about infection. Is it likely it will start causing me problems while waiting for my appointment (July 27th)?

Thank you so much to anyone who read through this wall of text. Any advice or reassurance will be phenomenal.

 

[Gordon]

1. Is extraction more likely to be easier and faster since they are both fully erupted? I'm not concerned with the pain during the procedure, but since I'm autistic I have pretty severe sensory issues. Having my head yanked around, hearing any cracks, etc are going to up my anxiety intensely.

Probably yes. Tell your surgeon about the yanking about issues, they should be able to minimise this for you a bit. As a rule of thumb, while a tooth is coming out, any crunching/squelching noises are generally a good thing, it usually is a signal that the periodontal ligament has given up and the tooth is on the way out. Try to keep this in mind if you can.

2. Am I more likely to have an easier recovery? I want to completely avoid stronger painkillers if possible. I've obsessively read guides on what to avoid after extraction, but the anxiety is still there

It's more likely than not. Strong painkillers are almost never required for post extraction pain control.(there have been several really good studies on this).
Good old aspirin is actually the best, assuming your stomach can handle it.

3. My right tooth is pretty decayed and now broken, but I am not experiencing any pain or infection. I'm brushing and using mouthwash daily to try and avoid further decay, but I'm still concerned about infection. Is it likely it will start causing me problems while waiting for my appointment (July 27th)?

There is very little you can do which will affect the chances of it becoming infected.

Try to keep your immune system in good shape by eating well and avoiding stressing yourself out, this is the about the only thing you can do which will help.

 

[starryeyes]

Thank you so much for your prompt response! I think the man who did my x-rays (who was very kind) wigged me out a little when he said I was "lucky" I hadn't started experiencing pain from the right side yet.
I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with the idea of no deep anesthesia, but I may ask about getting some oral sedatives for the day of the procedure.

I'll keep everything you've said in mind, thank you Gordon!

 

[honeybee91]

Thank you so much for your prompt response! I think the man who did my x-rays (who was very kind) wigged me out a little when he said I was "lucky" I hadn't started experiencing pain from the right side yet.
I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with the idea of no deep anesthesia, but I may ask about getting some oral sedatives for the day of the procedure.

I'll keep everything you've said in mind, thank you Gordon!

Hi, how did it go for you? I’m getting mine out soon, first 2 at least. My consultant is next week and I’m nervous. I already know how the teeth look I’ve been to the dentist omg like 10 times this year for so many things after years of neglect and my dentist wants the wisdom teeth out asap. All of them have decay. No pain yet which I know is a blessing. Hence why I’m scheduling to have them removed soon. Hope your surgery went well!! I too am autistic and have extreme sensory issues. I may bring headphones in.