I survived an extraction!!!!

[peterm71]

I was going to post a comment before my extraction, for words of support as I am a very nervous patient, but due to technical issues I was unable to post until now. However reading the other posts has helped me along the long road to treatment, so I feel it my duty to return the favour.

Here is my story, sorry if it is a little long, but if anyone is frightend of the dentist, needles, extractions I believe its worth reading.

I have what I believe to be good healthy teeth. I have never missed a check up in nearly 40 years, because I am that frightened of needing any work I keep on top of things. I am physically sick before my check ups and have a major fear of dentists & needles (why? I cannot explain).

I went for a routine check up last December and to keep it breif I was told I needed an extraction and would be refered to hospital. Well I near passed out there and then, I had no problems and was in major shock at the news. I was told that I had a impacted wisdom tooth No.8 lower and it had damaged the No.7 Molar lower ajacent. It was said that the wisdom would need to come out and then root canel treatment (RCT) & a crown fitting to the No.7 molar.

Wrost Christmas ever, being sick with worry, stressed etc, my whole world had ended. I had in my own mind decided that I did not want RCT and as I was to have the wisdom out I may as well have No.7 out as well.

The appointment came through to attend the Liverpool University Dental Hospital for a consultation, the fear kicked in as the days drew closer.

At the consultation I was somewhat semi calm, and after examinations, talks, history etc and xrays and second opinions it was agreed that the wisdom could stay and No.7 was to be removed. It was then talked about IV Sedation, (as my own dentist had recommened it in the referal letter), the thought of needles in my hand / arm sent me into panic and asked if i could have it under local, again after several questions we all agreed for an extraction under local. At this consultation all the staff I saw were very caring and understud that I was frightend, but listened that I did not like the sound of the IV Sedation.

Off I went one step closer, and onto another level of fear.

My appointment came through with just over 3 weeks notice.

Everyday I was getting more and more worked up and stressed, thinking have I done the right thing by refusing the IV Sedation? could I go through with it, will my heart take the stress, will I die!!!!!

The 18th Feb (last Friday) arrived (my appointment day). I was so worked up that I had to be driven to the hospital. My brain was frozen in the waiting area, I felt like I was on death row. My name was called and was taken into the oral surgery room.

Here goes......

I entered the room and there was 4 people there, I was greeted and a young lady introduced herself and told me she was a student, I sat down and told everyone i was scared, thay said it would be ok and I wouldnt feel a thing. I think my brain had packed up by this stage with fear. Everybody was really nice, understanding and the atmosphere was really relaxed. They spoke me through the procedure and all the if that and if this they would do this & that, as I said i think my brain had cut out.

The young lady student took the lead over the whole procedure, and undertook the whole procedures start to finish (under supervision may I add).

I was told that I could stop it at any time if I so wished by raising my hand, and things could be taken at my own pace. The whole atmosphere was calm and unrushed. She asked if I was ready, I shook my head as in ok, she turned her back to me and was doing something (oviously getting the needle ready) I clamped my eyes closed as hard as possible and started heavy breathing with fear, next thing I was told that the first needle was done, well I can honestly say I never felt anything, I was in shock and could not believe it, a few moments later i was told I was having another one, same thing happened I clamped my eyes tightly shut and was breathing really heavilly, waiting for the injection, next thing I heard thats that part over with. Well I could not believe it, I never felt anything, nothing, and I never had any numbing gel either, I was totally impressed. After about 5 minutes I was tested for numbness and all seemed to be ok. I was asked again was it ok to proceed and I said yes. I was told I would feel pressure but no pain at all. I had my eyes closed, I knew there was something going on by the talking that was going on, but felt absolutely nothing. It was probably around 10 minutes and i was told it was out and was asked to bite on a pad. I was in total shock now with disbelief, I felt nothing, no pressure, no pain, no noises, nothing, absolutely nothing.

I bit down on the pad for around 10 minutes, the bleeding had stopped and I was told I didnt need any stitches. I was told how to proceed over the next few days and was given some paperwork and was free to go.

Remember I am totally scared of this sort of thing. i had lost close to 2 stone over 3 months with worry, & constantly being sick. 3 months of my life had passed by and it was not enjoyable at all, I could not think straight. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT- THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. Everyone is quick to tell a horror story, so I felt it important to post this as this is a REAL TRUE STORY lived out by myself.

The staff involved in my care were truely professional, caring and understanding. I was that impressed that I later on that evening I wrote a thank you letter to the Dr who was present throughout for outstanding work.

It is now Wednesday evening (5 days after the extraction) and I have never once felt any disscomfort. I was armed with all sorts of pain killers at the ready, but had no need for them. No bruises, no swelling, no discomfort and no pain.

If anyone is worried like me, remember if I can do it- ANYONE CAN.

Anyone feel free to message me if you need any support over a similar upcoming treatment.

I hope that anyone nervous that reads this feels somewhat better after reading this. If you know anyone nervous, show them this.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

 

[brit]

peterm71
Thanks for sharing that...the caring approach you clearly document there has always been my experience of NHS hospitals but not NHS dentists....the reassurance that nothing would hurt even with just local for extraction and nothing did....wish we had more posts like this.

So the good news is Liverpool teaches its dental students to do painless injections lol. Thank you.

 

[Pianimo]

Thank you so much for sharing this, peterm71! I have an appointment booked for tomorrow, the first of a few ahead, and I'm petrified! It's not for the same procedure as you, but reading any sort of genuinely positive experience like this is really inspiring - it makes that little bit easier to believe it might actually be ok for me too! So, big thanks. And, of course, congratulations!

 

[peterm71]

Hi Pianimo,

I understand what fear of the dentists is like trust me. I never thought in my wildest nightmeres that I could undergo what I went through. Ignore the horror stories, Listen to the truth, tell the dentist you are frightened like I did. They really treated me second to none with absoluetly no pain. I must be the biggest needle phobic, I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst waiting for this almighty pain, it never happened. I had at least 2 and never felt anything.

If I managed I am sure you can, good luck, but I am sure you will not need it.

 

[cautionkate]

I just had my extraction done three days ago. & I am so scared that I will get a dry socket. Words can not describe the fear I am going through. & I have to have five fillings done as well. My dentist was amazing. He made sure I was good & numb. & I even tasted the medicine from the needles): It was gross.
I do feel some pain. (more pressure) & it is hard to put my teeth together. My jaw starts to shake. & i am afraid to eat much because of the fear of a dry socket . ):

 

[kathy1]

how many teeth did you have to get out? i have to go for my first one on march 10th. i have five that need to come out.

 

[kathy1]

did you get them all done at the same time or over several visits. that is what i am doing one at a time. i don't think i can handle all 5 at once.also did it hurt? i am nervous just thinking about it.

 

[brit]

did you get them all done at the same time or over several visits. that is what i am doing one at a time. i don't think i can handle all 5 at once.also did it hurt? i am nervous just thinking about it.

If you read his first post, he makes it very clear that it didn't hurt at all.

 

[peterm71]

Kathy 1

As Brit said, have a good read of my original post.

I WAS (note the was) so terrified of the dentist and the thought of having a extraction made me sick for 3 months.

It was totally painless, during & after, it is now 11 days since I had my extraction (which was not an easy one in my opinion as I had an impacted wisdom tooth which had interlocked itself into the molar that was removed).

DO NOT WORRY, IT IS JUST A WASTE OF ENERGY. MY LIFE WENT ON HOLD FOR 3 MONTHS, AND ALL FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.

If you had told me this 2 weeks ago I probably wouldnt have listened, but it is true, I think its the fear of the unknown. I let my fear be known to the staff when I went in. The hosptial staff treated me with the highest level of care. For the reasons I have explained thats why I took the time to post this message to share my experience.

NO PAIN.

Good luck and try not to worry.

Peter.

 

[kathy1]

thanks peter i am glad that it didn't hurt. none of mine are wisdom teeth as i never got them they are the ones in the back.

 

[Patti]

Thank you for this. I am having a Moler pulled for the first time and am very frightened. This helped. Glad all went super easy for you!

 

[franklinm]

Painless injections and extractions! I'm so jealous, when I had 4 baby teeth removed it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced in a dental office but I've never experienced much pain during dental visits excluding this extraction I had and a sealant. I know I'm gonna have to have more teeth pulled because I still have 6 baby teeth left and it's killing me. I just hope the next time I have an extraction it'll be painless.

 

[Patti]

Wow! I hope mine goes as easily as yours did. I heard that you hear a snail crackle pop?

I was going to post a comment before my extraction, for words of support as I am a very nervous patient, but due to technical issues I was unable to post until now. However reading the other posts has helped me along the long road to treatment, so I feel it my duty to return the favour.

Here is my story, sorry if it is a little long, but if anyone is frightend of the dentist, needles, extractions I believe its worth reading.

I have what I believe to be good healthy teeth. I have never missed a check up in nearly 40 years, because I am that frightened of needing any work I keep on top of things. I am physically sick before my check ups and have a major fear of dentists & needles (why? I cannot explain).

I went for a routine check up last December and to keep it breif I was told I needed an extraction and would be refered to hospital. Well I near passed out there and then, I had no problems and was in major shock at the news. I was told that I had a impacted wisdom tooth No.8 lower and it had damaged the No.7 Molar lower ajacent. It was said that the wisdom would need to come out and then root canel treatment (RCT) & a crown fitting to the No.7 molar.

Wrost Christmas ever, being sick with worry, stressed etc, my whole world had ended. I had in my own mind decided that I did not want RCT and as I was to have the wisdom out I may as well have No.7 out as well.

The appointment came through to attend the Liverpool University Dental Hospital for a consultation, the fear kicked in as the days drew closer.

At the consultation I was somewhat semi calm, and after examinations, talks, history etc and xrays and second opinions it was agreed that the wisdom could stay and No.7 was to be removed. It was then talked about IV Sedation, (as my own dentist had recommened it in the referal letter), the thought of needles in my hand / arm sent me into panic and asked if i could have it under local, again after several questions we all agreed for an extraction under local. At this consultation all the staff I saw were very caring and understud that I was frightend, but listened that I did not like the sound of the IV Sedation.

Off I went one step closer, and onto another level of fear.

My appointment came through with just over 3 weeks notice.

Everyday I was getting more and more worked up and stressed, thinking have I done the right thing by refusing the IV Sedation? could I go through with it, will my heart take the stress, will I die!!!!!

The 18th Feb (last Friday) arrived (my appointment day). I was so worked up that I had to be driven to the hospital. My brain was frozen in the waiting area, I felt like I was on death row. My name was called and was taken into the oral surgery room.

Here goes......

I entered the room and there was 4 people there, I was greeted and a young lady introduced herself and told me she was a student, I sat down and told everyone i was scared, thay said it would be ok and I wouldnt feel a thing. I think my brain had packed up by this stage with fear. Everybody was really nice, understanding and the atmosphere was really relaxed. They spoke me through the procedure and all the if that and if this they would do this & that, as I said i think my brain had cut out.

The young lady student took the lead over the whole procedure, and undertook the whole procedures start to finish (under supervision may I add).

I was told that I could stop it at any time if I so wished by raising my hand, and things could be taken at my own pace. The whole atmosphere was calm and unrushed. She asked if I was ready, I shook my head as in ok, she turned her back to me and was doing something (oviously getting the needle ready) I clamped my eyes closed as hard as possible and started heavy breathing with fear, next thing I was told that the first needle was done, well I can honestly say I never felt anything, I was in shock and could not believe it, a few moments later i was told I was having another one, same thing happened I clamped my eyes tightly shut and was breathing really heavilly, waiting for the injection, next thing I heard thats that part over with. Well I could not believe it, I never felt anything, nothing, and I never had any numbing gel either, I was totally impressed. After about 5 minutes I was tested for numbness and all seemed to be ok. I was asked again was it ok to proceed and I said yes. I was told I would feel pressure but no pain at all. I had my eyes closed, I knew there was something going on by the talking that was going on, but felt absolutely nothing. It was probably around 10 minutes and i was told it was out and was asked to bite on a pad. I was in total shock now with disbelief, I felt nothing, no pressure, no pain, no noises, nothing, absolutely nothing.

I bit down on the pad for around 10 minutes, the bleeding had stopped and I was told I didnt need any stitches. I was told how to proceed over the next few days and was given some paperwork and was free to go.

Remember I am totally scared of this sort of thing. i had lost close to 2 stone over 3 months with worry, & constantly being sick. 3 months of my life had passed by and it was not enjoyable at all, I could not think straight. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT- THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. Everyone is quick to tell a horror story, so I felt it important to post this as this is a REAL TRUE STORY lived out by myself.

The staff involved in my care were truely professional, caring and understanding. I was that impressed that I later on that evening I wrote a thank you letter to the Dr who was present throughout for outstanding work.

It is now Wednesday evening (5 days after the extraction) and I have never once felt any disscomfort. I was armed with all sorts of pain killers at the ready, but had no need for them. No bruises, no swelling, no discomfort and no pain.

If anyone is worried like me, remember if I can do it- ANYONE CAN.

Anyone feel free to message me if you need any support over a similar upcoming treatment.

I hope that anyone nervous that reads this feels somewhat better after reading this. If you know anyone nervous, show them this.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

 

[Patti]

"DO NOT WORRY, IT IS JUST A WASTE OF ENERGY. MY LIFE WENT ON HOLD FOR 3 MONTHS, AND ALL FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER."

Thank you, Peter. I am facing one extraction for the first time and the anxiety is consuming me. What you said helped. Thank you again.