A
AnxiousAlice
Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Messages
- 58
- Location
- Florida USA
I honestly don't know if I can go through with this. Need a shoulder to cry on!
My dental phobia journey does not seem to be going so well.
I posted here a couple of weeks ago and since I have seen the dentist and had Xrays and a cleaning. I was nervous about just calling to make the appointment, and then was very nervous during the exam and Xrays. The cleaning was actually somewhat pleasant.
So I went back for a full consultation today.
The wisdom tooth bottom right that has been giving me an on and off mild to moderate tooth ache has to be extracted. In addition likely two root canals or additional extractions in the near future and replacement of a bridge and several fillings. What a mess!
Anyway, the first things that needs to be done is the extraction of that wisdom tooth wish has a large cavity at the gumline and has been previously filled (the two molors in front of it wwere extracted when I was just in my teens).
Anyway we decided on the following:
1. Halcion 1 hour before the appointment, and possibly another when I get there. I am not sure how conscious that "conscious sedation" will be since Halcion is a sleeping pill and I take Ambien for sleep at night and sleeping pills put me to sleep. I take very low dose of meds so I am concerned about a sedative over dose and not being able to wake up or function or winding up brain damaged or something.
2. Then the local anesthetic is used. I am fearing yet more drugs but know it has to be numb. I also researched Articaine/Septocaine which is the numbing drug to be used and there is an ncreased risk of parasthesis (not ever getting un-numb so no feeling in tongue, lip, face etc:.
3. A bone graft and membrane over the socket, which would greatly reduce the possibility of dry socket. This would be a much higher added expense but I think I would sell all my worldly goods to insure against pain and complications.
4. The consent forms also say there is swelling and possible bruising (but ibroprofin and ice packs could help with this and are not permanent) Post operative infection (I would be prescribed antibiotics so this would hep with that). But then the big stuff that scares me into just backing out all together:
a. Possibly a fragment of root or bone left in jaw requiring more treatment to the tooth ara at a later date. b. Damage to sinuses requiring surgicval repair. c. Fracture or dislocation of jaw. d. Nerve damage called parastesis. e. Trismus inability to open jaw and f. dry socket which still is not guaranteed with the bone graft membrane etc:
So now I really am dealing with my panic and trying to make a decision and determine the risks of having the extraction or doing nothing and taking my chances with antibiotics and keeping the tooth as clean and germ free as possible. I don't want to have a brain infection or die of course, but nerve damage, a locked jaw, major surgeries to correct complications, not to mention anesthesia and drug risks could alter the quality of my life forever.
If I am to do this my next step is to get preccriptions filled and go ahead with it and hope and pray for the best; or I can ignore the problem and perhaps new technology will lessen the risks.
As it is right now I am absolutely exhausted from stressing out and worrying about all this. For the last two months all I am doing is thinking aobut teeth. I jsut want to live a normal life.
Anyway, I know this is long and I am just beside myself with worry, obsessing over this, panic and tears.
Thanks for letting me vent and have a bit of a cyber shoulder to cry on.
Alice
My dental phobia journey does not seem to be going so well.
I posted here a couple of weeks ago and since I have seen the dentist and had Xrays and a cleaning. I was nervous about just calling to make the appointment, and then was very nervous during the exam and Xrays. The cleaning was actually somewhat pleasant.
So I went back for a full consultation today.
The wisdom tooth bottom right that has been giving me an on and off mild to moderate tooth ache has to be extracted. In addition likely two root canals or additional extractions in the near future and replacement of a bridge and several fillings. What a mess!
Anyway, the first things that needs to be done is the extraction of that wisdom tooth wish has a large cavity at the gumline and has been previously filled (the two molors in front of it wwere extracted when I was just in my teens).
Anyway we decided on the following:
1. Halcion 1 hour before the appointment, and possibly another when I get there. I am not sure how conscious that "conscious sedation" will be since Halcion is a sleeping pill and I take Ambien for sleep at night and sleeping pills put me to sleep. I take very low dose of meds so I am concerned about a sedative over dose and not being able to wake up or function or winding up brain damaged or something.
2. Then the local anesthetic is used. I am fearing yet more drugs but know it has to be numb. I also researched Articaine/Septocaine which is the numbing drug to be used and there is an ncreased risk of parasthesis (not ever getting un-numb so no feeling in tongue, lip, face etc:.
3. A bone graft and membrane over the socket, which would greatly reduce the possibility of dry socket. This would be a much higher added expense but I think I would sell all my worldly goods to insure against pain and complications.
4. The consent forms also say there is swelling and possible bruising (but ibroprofin and ice packs could help with this and are not permanent) Post operative infection (I would be prescribed antibiotics so this would hep with that). But then the big stuff that scares me into just backing out all together:
a. Possibly a fragment of root or bone left in jaw requiring more treatment to the tooth ara at a later date. b. Damage to sinuses requiring surgicval repair. c. Fracture or dislocation of jaw. d. Nerve damage called parastesis. e. Trismus inability to open jaw and f. dry socket which still is not guaranteed with the bone graft membrane etc:
So now I really am dealing with my panic and trying to make a decision and determine the risks of having the extraction or doing nothing and taking my chances with antibiotics and keeping the tooth as clean and germ free as possible. I don't want to have a brain infection or die of course, but nerve damage, a locked jaw, major surgeries to correct complications, not to mention anesthesia and drug risks could alter the quality of my life forever.
If I am to do this my next step is to get preccriptions filled and go ahead with it and hope and pray for the best; or I can ignore the problem and perhaps new technology will lessen the risks.
As it is right now I am absolutely exhausted from stressing out and worrying about all this. For the last two months all I am doing is thinking aobut teeth. I jsut want to live a normal life.
Anyway, I know this is long and I am just beside myself with worry, obsessing over this, panic and tears.
Thanks for letting me vent and have a bit of a cyber shoulder to cry on.
Alice
