Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

[sharon]

Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Let me tell you, it was nowhere near as bad as I expected, in fact it was probably one of my easiest dental procedures ever!!!

The actual procedure (not counting the numbing up time and the time the assistant took to explain to me the after care instructions) probably didn't take anymore than 10 minutes, maybe 15 minutes top. The extraction was fairly easy as I already had two root canals on the tooth and had hit it this summer, all that made it slightly loose, there was some pushing and pulling but I was well numbed up and didn't feel it. It was very gentle, not like he was tugging and yanking. Once that was out he did the bone graft which I don't think took more than half a minute and all he did was put the material in the area where the tooth was removed. Then he stitched me, put the flipper in and said he was done! i couldn't believe it was over so soon and my first words to him were "that's it? for that I got nervous?" I did take valium beforehand which helped but if I had known it was going to be this easy I probably could have skipped that.

The novacaine is starting to wear off and I admit it does hurt a little now. I'm going to lie down on my couch with the itce pack they gave me and watch some tv.

Just wanted to let those of you who are going through this procedure that it really wasn't that bad.

 

[Yuki]

Re: Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Hi Sharon

I have to have something similar done. I'm not sure if I will have to have a bone graft yet, but I'm getting an implant. Is this what you're getting done?

Im just so scared to have to see myself with no tooth. And I hear the flipper is awful. How is that for you?

 

[Suzannah99]

Re: Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Well done you!!!

I think give yourself time for easing off Valium - there is no shame in it if it gets you through.

I broke a front tooth in my gum in August. I fell on it! Hoped it would rebed - it didn't!
My 4 front teeth have always been a problem since they grew in - had several terrible fitting braces which would slide down my teeth as a kid. The school dentist was an alcoholic. He died of it just after I left school.
I was diagnosed with gum disease at 16 too. Always get referred away for horrendous extensive periodontal treatment.
Anyway, this broken tooth got an abcess, I spotted anti-anxiety drugs on here when I spotted this site a couple of months ago (was too anxious to join) and decided to see if I could get some. My first desperate consult I was shaking, crying, tensed so much when he had the mirror in my mouth and wasn't touching me.
I got diazepam and used it to go fetch my prescription from the dentist building even!
I have had a few appointments the last few weeks and the diazepam (15mg) got me through.

Today I had 3 front uppers put and another got rid of - the really bad one he had removed and glued to the others so I had no gap the past 3 weeks. I have new partial dentures as of 10.30am this morning.
I can speak better than I have done since August and actually had 4 work phone calls this afternoon too (um..yeah I am working from home - just in case I had issues)

I also was aware but actually had to check he had removed my teeth! I thought he had removed one but they had all been taken out!

He knows to ask and ask and give me one more injection by now though.

I'm also sore ((hugs)).
The bone graft bit sounded like it was going to be horrible for you! I'm so glad it wasn't!

My total worst bit today was before I got to the dentist - even after an hour on diazepam. I felt like he would look after me once I sat in the chair, it needed doing and I knew he would give me all the injections I wanted and would check around for any tender spots - all was fine 8 injections later!

 

[sharon]

Re: Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Hi Sharon

I have to have something similar done. I'm not sure if I will have to have a bone graft yet, but I'm getting an implant. Is this what you're getting done?

Im just so scared to have to see myself with no tooth. And I hear the flipper is awful. How is that for you?

Yuki - hi, yes, the plan is to have an implant once the bone graft is complete or heals or whatever it is supposed to do. That will be in another 4 months. Actually at that time I plan on having TWO implants - one on the tooth I just had extracted and the other on a back tooth that was taken out years ago. Then four more months of waiting for the bone graft to "take." I'm not sure which is worse, the money I'll have to spend or the emotional torture. I may opt for conscious sedation for the implant surgery.

The one just extracted is a front tooth so I am wearing a flipper. It's giving me a lot more problem than the extraction. It is so uncomfortable and very difficult to eat with. It gets in the way, I just want to tear it out. I'm going to write another post on that hoping someone can give me some advice. Like you I do not like seeing myself without a tooth and I definitely don't want anyone else to see me like that.

Good luck with your procedure. I'm still in shock as to how easy the appt was and I hope yours goes equally well. I spent weeks worrying and worrying about this. All that worry for nothing. I'm just so thankful it went that way and not the other.

 

[sharon]

Re: Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Suzzanah - sounds like quite an ordeal you went through, so glad it is over for you and you came through without a problem. I don't like taking valium but it certainly does help. Like you I find that time before getting to the appt is the worst. The anticipation and uncertainty of what will happen. I always expect the worst but fortunately the actual appt usually isn't that bad. Good thoughts to you as you heal.

 

[Suzannah99]

Re: Just got home from extraction and bone graft - read if you are nervous about this procedure

Suzzanah - sounds like quite an ordeal you went through, so glad it is over for you and you came through without a problem. I don't like taking valium but it certainly does help. Like you I find that time before getting to the appt is the worst. The anticipation and uncertainty of what will happen. I always expect the worst but fortunately the actual appt usually isn't that bad. Good thoughts to you as you heal.

Actually, before this particular dentist the actual appointment and treatment was worse than the advance fear for me.
It went on too long and happened too many times for me over 40 years that no one listened and no one had any empathy for this phobia I had - so it really got worse because I became the only oddball with that phobia.
I therefore thought it was just me for 20/30 years now - and I was so wrong! This site makes that so very clear!

I've cracked it! I am still with it enough on diazepam to have a voice - assertiveness.
It's helping! But the drugs help me have that voice I need - does that make any sense?
I am not so terrified so can think and state my case, ask questions or get him to stop rather than be told and have no real clue.

Hope the soreness is easing but it probably isn't yet - we both need to give it a few days and rest up ...I just made a facial gesture writing that - ouch! Lol!
I cannot wrinkle my nose up - my newly extractednesses do not like it! Hahahaha!
At least I can laugh!!!

You take care, salt water washes, no big mouthfuls. x

 

[FIona 555]

Hi
I know this is a year on from all of your experiences but I'm where you were. Being treated for periodontal disease most pockets have reduced to 3/4 but I have 50-60% bone loss. My back wisdom tooth has been loose for years, I coped with that. But I just returned from the hygienist and she has told me there is movement in my front tooth. I feel sick. I know I don't have enough bone so I would need a bone graft. I'm petrified it won't take.
So angry and ashamed I let this happen. Too busy with work and life to go to the dentist.....
Now I'm 43 and they are all loosening
Just wanted to know how you got on?
X