First visit to a dentist today after 19 years ??

[Jo74]

Hi everyone.
Firstly wanted to thank you all so much. Without me ever having posted in here, all your stories and advice to each other made me get off my bum and make ( and keep ) an appointment today.
I last went to a dentist when i was 23, one horrific filling later and my already terrified of the dentist brain just said "nope" not going back there again. Even though i told him i was scared stiff, he assured me it was a small filling and i really didn't need numbing! He made me feel really pathetic so i let him go ahead. The pain !! ? It was apparently a deeper filling than he first thought but as he'd started he just carried on, he lost my trust and i vowed never to go back.
Over the years, a tooth has got a little painful - then a bit broke off ( still refused to go ) then a few more on the top row started showing decay at the gumline ( this means i haven't been able to smile properly in years ? ) Then a couple more on the bottom, another ( the dreaded first and only filling ) broke off right down to the gum nearly, and the final straw another bottom molar cracked nearly in half. So i finally had enough and i made an appointment with a totally new dentist.
He was amazing! ?? I need 3 ?? extractions, and a fair few gumline fillings but it was nowhere near as bad as i thought. Once the initial shame of me blurting out my teeth would be the worst he's ever seen - apparently they're not ? I imagined him just saying yep you need them all out i'll get you some falsies ordered! He promises he won't do ANY filling no matter how small without numbing me up totally
One slight niggle, and i have very little experience so bear with me.. the bottom right molar that is broken, i'd say well over 50% of the tooth is still there, most of the surface it's just a good chunk at the front thats broken. Question; why do you think he's just opted for extraction straight away instead of a root canal and a crown? He only discussed my options for either an implant ( can't afford it ) or a partial flexible denture?
I wanted to ask, but i didn't want him to think i was "questioning" his ability as he'd been so lovely with me.
Sorry for the essay - i'm just so relieved i got today over. First extraction In 2 weeks, plenty of time to work myself up into a state ??

 

[letsconnect]

Congrats Jo74 !!

Great to hear that you've managed to see a new dentist and that he's lovely .

It's a terrible double-bind isn't it when you've found someone you really like but you're unsure about whether they're presenting you with the best option.

There are two ways to deal with this (actually, there's probably about 200 ways, but I can only think of two right now ):

1) ask your dentist why a root canal and crown isn't possible
2) go to the British Endodontic Society's website, search for consultants in your area, have a look at them online and see if there's someone you like the looks of, and make an appointment for an assessment. [P.S.: the search function no longer exists - just Google for endodontist and your town/area instead]

It's really great that you're wanting to make sure that the treatment you get is the best possible option for you - I'm sure most dentists wouldn't mind you querying if there's a way that you can keep your natural teeth. It shows that you are interested in your health and that can only be a good thing.

So maybe ask him first if a root canal/crown is possible and if not, why not, and if his explanation doesn't make total sense to you, or if you're still unsure, get a second opinion?

 

[Jo74]

Hi! Thank you
I know, i'm pretty sure he won't mind me asking i just would have agreed to anything today because i was so relieved he didn't want to pull all my teeth out! ?

I'll look at that website, if the reason he doesn't want to do a root canal is that maybe it's a big complicated job maybe that will be an option for me

 

[Dg6300]

Congratulations. You did very well.

I’ll look forward to more success stories from you.

 

[Jo74]

Thanks I will feel a lot more sucessful when i've had all this work done i think, but just keeping the appointment and not cancelling last minute was a huge achievement for me ?

First extraction is one of the teeth that's broken off right down to the gum. There was talk of having to cut my gum to get a grip on it and then a few stitches ... he assured me it will be fine and he does it all the time. i'm trying not to stress about that ?

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Well done for going to dentist,

 

[Jo74]

Thank you