My tooth crumbled. Now I have to go.

[toothfairy80]

Hi, everyone. This is an embarrassing post to make. I first came here a few years ago because I was terrified to go to the dentist for a cavity I'd had for years. I went for an exam, scheduled a root canal and cleaning, and ended up canceling because they were charging so much for the root canal. My plan was to look somewhere else for a better price, but I never did. The fear came back, and I put it off forever.

Last week, the tooth in question came apart. I'm actually surprised it lasted as long as it did. I was eating, and suddenly had a big chunk of tooth on my tongue. Now, there is just a jagged piece of it remaining in the back of my mouth. It doesn't hurt much at all, just a little, although I expect that could change anytime now. I was nearly in tears, not because of the tooth, but because I knew I have to get this fixed now and face my fear.

I called and made an appointment this afternoon at a low-cost dental office in our city. A friend recommended them. I wish I had known about them back at the time I had my first appointment. Anyway, they can't see me until the 30th, so I'm praying that I will make it okay until then. I am so, so afraid. I haven't had a cleaning or any work done since 1999. I've been putting it off for so long for a few different reasons, mostly out of embarrassment. The receptionist told me they will do x-rays and an exam that day. Since it's a low-cost, no-frills provider, I expect they will probably just want to pull what's left of the bad tooth, but I don't know what to expect. Also, a couple of the other bottom molars on that side of my mouth don't look good, so I assume I will need fillings in those.

Yes, I am beating myself up for letting it get this bad and for neglecting my teeth. But here I am. I am scared of what they are going to tell me.

 

[CrazyCrafter]

I have my first dentist appointment in quite a awhile on September 26th and I too am terrified of what they might tell me! I know I have to have a tooth in the back removed seeing as half the tooth is chipped off and I'm pretty sure I will need several fillings. My worst fear would be if they told me that I need most of my teeth pulled even though most people have told me they probably won't pull them. My fear is not so much pain from the work I need done but the fear the the unknown! I keep thinking, what will they say? what will they do? how long will it take? how much will it cost?...and a myriad of other worries. But living in fear is not really living, I felt so elated just making an appointment so I keep telling myself how much better I will feel once I finally go. You can do this! You are much stronger than you may think you are. Best wishes to you!

 

[toothfairy80]

Thanks, CrazyCrafter, for the support. Yes, I'm in the same boat with you. I have that same tooth in the back of my mouth that is mostly chipped off. It's worn down to almost nothing except around one edge, and then there is a hole in the middle. At this point I won't even look at it in the mirror. It just makes me cringe when I see it. I am expecting to hear that a few of my other teeth need fillings, too.

I know what you mean about feeling elated to make the phone call. I felt a combination of dread and relief when I made my appointment yesterday. It took losing most of that bad tooth to motivate me to make that call. I feel really embarrassed about how bad I let my teeth get, and that feeling of embarrassment and judgment is the worst fear for me. I am dreading a lecture. I just don't want to hear it, and I'm worried that I will cry in front of the dentist if I sense that kind of judgment. But like you, I just keep imagining how good I will feel in a few weeks when the initial appointment and then the repairs are complete. I hope that this goes well and that I will never, ever, go more than six months without seeing a dentist again.

 

[Oshin]

Toothfairy. You CAN do this. I just had 21 teeth extracted today and got a full set of dentures. You will feel better. And no sense in beating yourself up for letting teeth get like that. What's done is done, so all you can do is move forward. I'm sure the dentist will do whatever is best for you. Good luck.

 

[toothfairy80]

I'm leaving for my appointment in twenty minutes, so I had to come here and get some relief with posting and reading. My original appointment a couple of weeks ago was canceled because the dentist was sick. So, I went yesterday, but when I got there, I found out that I don't qualify for their low-income discount, and I ended up not liking the place anyway. So, I left, went home, and made another appointment for this afternoon at a different dentist's office. My original thought when I left yesterday was that I would put off making another appointment for a few more weeks, but then I realized that I can't do that. I've been putting off seeing a dentist for years. I made the call and I'm going today. They're supposed to do a consultation, cleaning, x-rays, and an exam. I am still terrified of what they're going to say to me, but I know I just have to do it. I will post how it goes when I get home.

Please wish me luck.

 

[spanna]

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[Aldridge]

I hope everything went well for you.