My dentist said I'll lose all my teeth in 2-3 years

[Marty169]

Hello, I went to the dentist after many years. The fear has paralyzed me and turned me into such a coward. I don't know how I managed to make it today but I did. But the dentist told me something that now makes me worry even more.

Here's a summary of my dental problems :

* I have a lot of missing teeth :
- All molars except top right first
- bottom right premolar
- top left canine
- both top lateral incisors : half of each snapped off

* My upper incisors are chipped, and have drifted apart
* bottom left premolar drifted
* Gums not in good condition (but have improved recently), and have receded
* Quite a bit of discolouration

The dentist said that he will remove the little bits left of a couple of molars, and the halves of the lateral incisors that remain, and do a couple of fillings, and he said that I'll need to see the hygienist to sort out my gums.

I was hoping that he'd be able to also :
- do a gum graft
- do composite bonding for the chipped incisors
- bridges for the lateral incisors/premolar, and implant for the bottom right premolar
- straighten my teeth
- whitening
- dentures for molars

He said he would only be able to do dentures, and nothing else. He said it's because I've left it too late, and I'm a pretty bad case (not quite his words), and there's nothing more he can do and I'll probably lose all my teeth within 2-3 years and I'll have to have implants, so there's no point. He said I have about 50% bone loss.

He knew I was nervous because I told him as soon as I walked in, so I'm surprised at how casually he told me all this. I get the feeling he wasn't even going to mention losing teeth or implants if I hadn't asked if he could do the above things. It was almost like an afterthought.

I don't want to be a wishful thinker but I'm not buying it. It seems so ridiculous to me. I know my teeth and gums aren't great, but I've seen people on tv and youtube worse than me (black teeth, etc) before and after treatment and I don't think they're all having their teeth knocked out and given implants. I'm sure they're having bridges and other treatments too.

I'll be honest. I'm one of those insane people who for whatever inexplicable reason has never gotten into the habit of brushing twice a day every day. And when I was about 15 I stopped brushing for about 6 months, and that may have been the start of my problems. I accept all of this. I'm the one that has to see myself in the mirror. I get it.

After losing a bit of one of my top incisors a few weeks ago, I got scared and since then I've brushed twice daily and used listerine (no alcohol). I've noticed an improvement in my gums. They look pinker and more even, and overall just better.

I'm just in disbelief that he would be so negative. I'm hoping for some reassurance. It's bad enough being scared of the dentist, but now I'm having to wonder if what he said is accurate, which doesn't help.

Thanks.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Marty169,
to DFC. Thank you for coming on and sharing your story. You are very courageous after years of being afraid stepping in the appt and also giving yourself credit when you have a feeling it might not be accurate and wanting to get a total peace.

I'm sorry he was a shaming and the things he said a bit alarming, I'd probably have just walked out. He doesn't sound too anxious friendly. Do you know of any other options close by as far as anxious friendly dentists. I encourage you to check out our referral pages. There are Alot of dentists who will not shame or scare you and just take one step at a time helping you be more comfortable with them.

If you do not feel comfortable with what they say, see if you can get another opinion. Not sure how your system works as far as insurance. But just take baby steps you feel comfortable with

You are super courageous and hope you give yourself plenty of credit!!