Having work done later this week, need some advice

[archstanton]

I have an appointment later this week. Teeth 14 and 12 have "root cavities" and they said they are 90% sure they just need fillings, but because x-rays don't show the full extent of the decay, it's possible it could need a root canal. I told them if it needs a root canal to just extract the tooth. But hopefully it won't come to that.

I'm having the work done under IV sedation because I'm extremely nervous. I also have cavities on teeth 18, 30, and 31. And I considered having all the cavities filled in one visit while under sedation. However, I'm unsure about it because of the extra time it will take (even though I'm sedated), the cost, and having three quarters of my mouth numb.

The last time I had dental work under IV sedation my heart was racing so fast (around 150 bpm), that the dentist said if I don't relax we won't be able to continue and will have to do the work in a hospital under general anesthesia. I didn't understand, because I thought the point of the IV sedation was to relax me, not for me to relax myself.

This time I'm going to take a sedative prior to the appointment, to help relax me a little. Hopefully that will help. Tooth 14 is really bothering me, so that's my main priority. I will get 12 done too because they're near each other and the root decay looks bad. Then I can get the rest of the cavities filled another time. Or do you think I should do all the work at once?

Any other advice or suggestions are appreciated, thanks.

 

[kitkat]

Wow! Sorry to hear that your dentist was not very patient or understanding at your prior sedation appointment. Yes it does confuse me that you would be having a racing heart with sedation unless you just weren’t reacting to the drugs as expected (they aren’t 100%). Ultimately, it’s up to you. I personally would think it’s better to break it up just because you have may sensitivity afterward and it will be difficult to eat with so many areas of your mouth affected. Also, I feel like doing so many teeth at once can really mess with your bite but that’s just a personal theory I have.

 

[archstanton]

Thank you for your input. I guess there are pros and cons to doing it in one visit or multiple visits.

In one visit, I get everything done, and only have to undergo IV sedation once and pay for it once. But I will be in the chair longer, under sedation longer, and have more numbness and possible sensitivity afterwards.

In multiple visits, I have to undergo IV sedation again and pay for it again, which is very expensive. It also allows the cavities to get worse, depending how long I wait.

I'd rather not get any dental work done now during the pandemic. But tooth 14 has been bothering me for years and I just can't wait anymore. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the pandemic is going to get better anytime soon, it's getting worse here. So I guess I will have to take a chance and hope for the best...

 

[archstanton]

I spoke to the dentist today before the procedure tomorrow and he said he thinks tooth 12 might need to be extracted and tooth 14 just needs a filling. I don't know why the first dentist said he was 90% sure they both just needed fillings. That's a pretty big discrepancy.

Now I'm worried about the extraction and the IV sedation

 

[FM30992]

If you haven't already, I would be up front with the dentist before they get started that you're really nervous and maybe explain how they could help you to calm down. In other words if you want them to narrate what's going on, ask them to do so, etc. IV sedation knocked me out so I'm unsure what prevented you from being able to do the same thing. I just closed my eyes and next thing I knew I was waking up and they were finishing up. Maybe being sleep deprived from being up late worrying helped?

Regarding COVID, the way I see it is they're going to take necessary precautions because they don't want you to get sick and sue, they don't want to get sick... and they don't want a governor or mayor shutting down the industry they lose their livelihood and the respect of their peers. I wouldn't worry about that part at all.

 

[archstanton]

The first time I had IV sedation, it just took a little while and came close to not happening, but it did eventually kick in. This time I'm going to pre-sedate myself, so hopefully that should help a little.

Regarding COVID, I talked to a dentist that makes you sign a waiver so that you can't sue him. I didn't go to that dentist. I think the precautions should help, but there will always be a risk. The only way they would get in trouble is if they violated some safety rules.

 

[FM30992]

The first time I had IV sedation, it just took a little while and came close to not happening, but it did eventually kick in. This time I'm going to pre-sedate myself, so hopefully that should help a little.

Regarding COVID, I talked to a dentist that makes you sign a waiver so that you can't sue him. I didn't go to that dentist. I think the precautions should help, but there will always be a risk. The only way they would get in trouble is if they violated some safety rules.

Last place I went to had 25 people in the waiting room. How is THAT for violating! I'm glad you decided not to use the one with the waiver. I agree, always going to be some risk, but as long as they are taking precautions the risk declines significantly.

I'm sure you'll be fine tomorrow, especially with the pre-sedation. Keep us posted!

 

[archstanton]

Will do, thanks!

You know what doesn't help, is signing all the forms before your procedure that list every possible thing that can go wrong. As if we needed more confirmation of our fears

Ok, off to bed now, hopefully...

 

[archstanton]

I thought I'd give an update on how it went.

I made sure to be very prepared throughout the whole process, to ensure that everything goes as smooth as possible. The day before my procedure I made sure to talk to my dentist regarding any questions and concerns. I also made sure to read information and follow instructions given to me.

I did all my shopping the day before to prepare in case I needed soft foods. I also purchased water with electrolytes to help keep me hydrated. One bottle before my procedure and one bottle after. I had a light snack before bedtime and made sure I went to sleep early to give myself ample time to sleep and also took a sleep aid.

When I woke up, I took my sedative by breaking it into quarters and taking each quarter every 15 minutes 1 hour before my procedure. That way I would be sedated gradually. When I got there I was still a little nervous, but the sedative helped. I kept trying to focus on how having these teeth fixed was going to relieve the pain that I've been having for years.

I'm laying there hooked up to all the equipment. I can see that my heart rate is a little fast, but not as fast as I thought it would be. Then in goes the IV. I could feel it working and then... it was over. I could barely remember anything and felt nothing.

The first thing I wanted to know is if my teeth were filled or extracted. I didn't feel any gauze in my mouth, so that was a good sign. Turns out they were able to do fillings on both teeth. However, the dentist warned me that there was a lot of decay and it's possible they could still need a root canal or extraction eventually.

I still have some sensitivity in those teeth, but I think that's to be expected. I will continue to monitor them and follow up with the dentist as needed.

 

[FM30992]

YAY!!

Congrats on a successful trip! Thanks for updating us.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Wow Arch Stanton!!

This is great!! So glad the sedation went well for you and that you woke up to fillings and not extractions!! Rooting for you to keep those teeth!!

 

[archstanton]

Hey guys, so around 5 months later. The tooth was doing pretty good. I had slight sensitivity, but tolerable. And definitely way better than before the procedure and right after the procedure.

However, now I'm starting to notice an increase in sensitivity and it's concerning me. I thought once the sensitivity subsides, it stays that way. I didn't know it can get worse again or fluctuate. What does that mean?

Does it mean the pulp can get irritated again at any time and I have to be careful the rest of my life? Could it get so bad that it could need a root canal or extraction?

 

[Gordon]

Sensitivity can come and go regularly I'm afraid, it's not a one off thing.

It's usually not so much that the pulp gets irritated, it's because the tooth can wear down slightly in use, which is compensated for by the tooth coming slightly further out of the socket, which in turn exposes a new area of sensitivity.

Treat it with desensitising paste, apply the paste last thing at night with a finger over the affected area, don't rinse out, don't spit, go to bed! If it persist more than a few days ask your dentist to have a look.

 

[archstanton]

Ok, thanks. I thought maybe it was pulpitis or something. I'll have the dentist check it out when the pandemic gets a little better here.

 

[BlacJAC]

Irreversible pulpits is usually sensitivity to hot and cold and pain/discomfort that lingers (usually over 15 seconds). Saying that, one of my pulps were only sensitive to cold, but the pain lingered. The duration of the discomfort is usually key. But all the dentists I've seen said hot sensitivity is usually a badly sealed filling or a pulp about to bid farewell to the world. Whereas cold canhave numerous causes and some that are benign.

 

[archstanton]

Not sure if I have sensitivity to hot and/or cold. I think it's when I'm eating certain foods (like sweets) and chewing on that tooth.