My front tooth / filling

[AhhYay]

My front, upper left 1 is broken (see prev post for story).
Sorry about the image.

Anyway, my dentist said he’ll “fix it” and I heard him say filling when talking to his assistant when she was typing in my notes.

1. What do you think the procedure will be to “fix” my tooth?
2. What’s a filling like? Will it hurt? Am I right thinking a drill is used? I’m super nervous for this if a drill is used ?.

3. What’s the after pain like?

4. I’m due to go on holiday 13-20th July. Should I do it before then or wait until after? I don’t want to be in pain on my holiday.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

I guess the dentist is going to build a big white filling to solve the current esthetic problem. I believe it will be a pain free treatment with hardly any drilling (the dentist might use the drill only for a few seconds to rough up the surface) but it is better to ask the dentist. There should be no after pain.
It seems that the main concern here is esthetic so it is up to you to decide whether it should be before or after your vacation.
Clearly your main concern is pain during and after the procedure.
You can watch my video about fear of pain

I would also share with your dentist your concern: that you don’t want any pain. I talk about this in another video called “stating your needs”.

Hope it helps.

 

[AhhYay]

That video helped a lot actually!!

My dentist rushes a bit and can be a little rough but he asks if I’m okay every 20 seconds or so and eases up a bit when I’m getting tense.

During my second lot of tooth removal I had worked myself up to the point of sweating extensively and I was shaking a bit. He spoke to me and asked me questions about other things and calmed my breathing. He also said that we can do it another time if needed.

He doesn’t explain the procedures to me before doing them, and I think that may be why I’m worried.

The first extraction of 2 teeth (almost 3 but I was shaking too much) I didn’t get given any after care information (fortunately I’d already searched it) and I was walking home within minutes of him finishing. The second time he gave me after care info and extra gauze and he told me to wait in the waiting area for however long I need to calm myself down before walking home.

He is overall really nice but I see the areas that he’s lacking which is why I’m still nervous

 

[Dr. Daniel]

That video helped a lot actually!!

My dentist rushes a bit and can be a little rough but he asks if I’m okay every 20 seconds or so and eases up a bit when I’m getting tense.

During my second lot of tooth removal I had worked myself up to the point of sweating extensively and I was shaking a bit. He spoke to me and asked me questions about other things and calmed my breathing. He also said that we can do it another time if needed.

He doesn’t explain the procedures to me before doing them, and I think that may be why I’m worried.

The first extraction of 2 teeth (almost 3 but I was shaking too much) I didn’t get given any after care information (fortunately I’d already searched it) and I was walking home within minutes of him finishing. The second time he gave me after care info and extra gauze and he told me to wait in the waiting area for however long I need to calm myself down before walking home.

He is overall really nice but I see the areas that he’s lacking which is why I’m still nervous

My impression is that it will go smoothly. Building the tooth with a filling should involve very little drilling noise in the beginning and at the end of the treatment and in the most part just building slowly the tooth up. I am certain you are headed towards a good dental experience.

 

[Enarete]

He doesn’t explain the procedures to me before doing them, and I think that may be why I’m worried.

I would be too.. would it be an idea to ask your dentist to explain to you what he would like to do? After all, for any procedure your informed consent is needed and you can only agree to a procedure if you have all the information you wish about it.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

I empathize as its really nerve wracking not knowing what to expect just white knuckling it through with no forwarning what is going on. I am with Enarete, could you ask him to please let you know what he will do and even as he is doing it as it will put you to ease. He seems to be kind enough but maybe that is his go to style but maybe wouldn't mind to slow down and really explain things if he knew you were nervous. I know my dentist isn't much of an explainer during the procedure but he explains fully before and after and respects my stop sign if I need to stop and take a break or ask.