O
Obsessed1
Junior member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2017
- Messages
- 7
Hi all.
Just wanted to vent a bit. See if anyone feels a bit like me. I'm a 30 year old female.
First off, I have body dysmorphic disorder and I'm terrified of teeth rotting/chipping/breaking/cracking/etc. I have a huge fear of having teeth damaged, needing any dental work (the more involved, the scarier) or losing teeth.
I broke both of my front teeth as a child and had multiple repairs (composite bonding/resin or composite veneer, whatever you want to call it - not porcelain). On top of that, I was bullied constantly over those teeth (before and after repair) because I had an overbite and big teeth. I've had 3 healthy teeth and 1 decayed molar removed (for orthodontic work) and braces. My teeth have since moved in 10 years as I didn't keep wearing the retainer, somewhat. My first orthodontic work was at a student dental hospital and they hurt me quite a lot by slipping/inexperience. I have also had 6+ fillings. So I've had some trauma and bad feelings surrounding my teeth through my life. I often have nightmares of my teeth falling out.
So after all of this, after I had the braces off, I actually came to really like my teeth and had no issues with the dentist. Then in my late 20s, the obsession with my teeth kicked in. I started worrying about things that were there for ages that I never worried about - worn teeth, abfractions, colour, tiny chips (some were always there). So I became tooth obsessed. Then the dreaded happened. Finally, after 20 years, my composite veneer on one front tooth broke. I had a breakdown. I saw dentists over and over. They told me its mild so leave it. Its a chip out of the bottom. I worried that bacteria was getting inside, that my tooth was no longer protected, i was terrified every time I went but I couldn't stop going. They told me that they could redo the bonding but that whoever did them when I was 10 (australian school dental van in 1990s in a school car park) did an amazing job and they couldnt mimic it. They said composite veneers are never glossy, always look fake, are weak, discolour and chip within 2 years and they could never colour match it properly. Some websites say that too. So I feel unfixable and wish I could find this miracle worker and ask them what they did 20 years ago that today's dentists say is impossible. They are white, they match my other teeth but just slightly whiter, they are just as shiny, they fade to clear/darker edges like real teeth, they have craze lines like my other teeth, they look like real teeth (at least to the naked eye).. but now broken and part of it is hanging by a thread and will break and already broke a tiny bit more (like a thin unsupported shelf). I do not want porcelain or anything going right up to my gum because I am terrified of gum recession and already have some (or just a deformed gum on one tooth). I also dont think they look natural. Im terrified of having more tooth ground away in preparation for anything, terrified of damage, and feel like i could almost guarantee I would not be ok with any outcomes. Itd have to look excellent/natural and be strong and they tell me its not possible. I'd freak out even if it was perfect anyway.
I also have other chips/breaks, ridges, yellowing fillings, enamel defects, some yellowing, but of dark staining in wisdom teeth, and my wisdom teeth cant fit 100% on the bottom but are through 90% and Im terrified of losing them, or any teeth.
I know all of that may sound silly or weird. But its dental phobia plus ocd plus body dysmorphic. It dominates my life a lot. I just cry and drink or take valium when it gets bad. I know there are people worse off and I feel bad for ranting and raving. I cant find a psychologist that understands my petty obsession and phobia. I feel like Im the only one in the world who feels this way sometimes. Other people get root canals with ease or leave big chips. But i convince myself my teeth are a lost cause and that dentists can only make them worse. Sorry this is very long. Not sure if Im in the right section.
I have a lot of other obsessions in life and phobias but this is a big one.
Thanks.
Just wanted to vent a bit. See if anyone feels a bit like me. I'm a 30 year old female.
First off, I have body dysmorphic disorder and I'm terrified of teeth rotting/chipping/breaking/cracking/etc. I have a huge fear of having teeth damaged, needing any dental work (the more involved, the scarier) or losing teeth.
I broke both of my front teeth as a child and had multiple repairs (composite bonding/resin or composite veneer, whatever you want to call it - not porcelain). On top of that, I was bullied constantly over those teeth (before and after repair) because I had an overbite and big teeth. I've had 3 healthy teeth and 1 decayed molar removed (for orthodontic work) and braces. My teeth have since moved in 10 years as I didn't keep wearing the retainer, somewhat. My first orthodontic work was at a student dental hospital and they hurt me quite a lot by slipping/inexperience. I have also had 6+ fillings. So I've had some trauma and bad feelings surrounding my teeth through my life. I often have nightmares of my teeth falling out.
So after all of this, after I had the braces off, I actually came to really like my teeth and had no issues with the dentist. Then in my late 20s, the obsession with my teeth kicked in. I started worrying about things that were there for ages that I never worried about - worn teeth, abfractions, colour, tiny chips (some were always there). So I became tooth obsessed. Then the dreaded happened. Finally, after 20 years, my composite veneer on one front tooth broke. I had a breakdown. I saw dentists over and over. They told me its mild so leave it. Its a chip out of the bottom. I worried that bacteria was getting inside, that my tooth was no longer protected, i was terrified every time I went but I couldn't stop going. They told me that they could redo the bonding but that whoever did them when I was 10 (australian school dental van in 1990s in a school car park) did an amazing job and they couldnt mimic it. They said composite veneers are never glossy, always look fake, are weak, discolour and chip within 2 years and they could never colour match it properly. Some websites say that too. So I feel unfixable and wish I could find this miracle worker and ask them what they did 20 years ago that today's dentists say is impossible. They are white, they match my other teeth but just slightly whiter, they are just as shiny, they fade to clear/darker edges like real teeth, they have craze lines like my other teeth, they look like real teeth (at least to the naked eye).. but now broken and part of it is hanging by a thread and will break and already broke a tiny bit more (like a thin unsupported shelf). I do not want porcelain or anything going right up to my gum because I am terrified of gum recession and already have some (or just a deformed gum on one tooth). I also dont think they look natural. Im terrified of having more tooth ground away in preparation for anything, terrified of damage, and feel like i could almost guarantee I would not be ok with any outcomes. Itd have to look excellent/natural and be strong and they tell me its not possible. I'd freak out even if it was perfect anyway.
I also have other chips/breaks, ridges, yellowing fillings, enamel defects, some yellowing, but of dark staining in wisdom teeth, and my wisdom teeth cant fit 100% on the bottom but are through 90% and Im terrified of losing them, or any teeth.
I know all of that may sound silly or weird. But its dental phobia plus ocd plus body dysmorphic. It dominates my life a lot. I just cry and drink or take valium when it gets bad. I know there are people worse off and I feel bad for ranting and raving. I cant find a psychologist that understands my petty obsession and phobia. I feel like Im the only one in the world who feels this way sometimes. Other people get root canals with ease or leave big chips. But i convince myself my teeth are a lost cause and that dentists can only make them worse. Sorry this is very long. Not sure if Im in the right section.
I have a lot of other obsessions in life and phobias but this is a big one.
Thanks.
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