Petrified 25 year okd

[Averyscaredpatient]

I have a long history of dental anxiety ever since I can remember. I’ve had fillings and 3 teeth removed (2 for braces) but most were done with gas and air due to my anxiety. Since Covid ive got a new nhs dentist who is lovely and listens to me, though I’ve never had to have any work carried out by him. For a few appointments he was keeping an eye on a particular tooth as he didn’t want to give me a filling if I didn’t need it. He decided that a filling wasn’t needed as the xrays hadn’t changed. Last night I felt something sharp, I think the tooth he was referring to (a molar second from the back) has broken. It feels like a whole corner has broken off, and I can see the inside of the tooth. I don’t have any pain though. I’m going to call my dentist this morning but I was wondering if anyone had any idea what they will do with it? I know I’ve had fillings before but I really don’t think I could sit through a root canal. I would rather have it out. Thanks

 

[Averyscaredpatient]

Update: I just need a filling which is being done tomorrow. I’m absolutely petrified, even though I remember when I last had it done it was fine. I suppose it’s the fear of the unknown since forgetting. I keep telling myself that this time tomorrow it will be done and I have sat through fillings before and I will be able to do it again.

 

[Gordon]

That's weird, I didn't see your post on 5th... Guy Fawkes must have hidden it

How did you get on today?

 

[Averyscaredpatient]

@Gordon maybe! So the filling turned out to be quite big. They were getting very near the nerve and there seemed to be a bit of decay left. They said they have tried to enclose any remaining decay and hope it doesn’t spread, otherwise it’s a root canal job. I really hope whatever they have done works. For now the filling feels quite foreign and big, I’m hoping it’ll feel normal soon. Im too scared to eat on it at the moment. Its the first time ive had a composite filing too.

 

[Gordon]

Composite sets as soon as the blue light hits it, so it's fine to eat on when you get home.
If the decay is sealed up, then it can't progress so it should be fine. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Averyscaredpatient]

@Gordon I’m now 2 months on and the filling in question is loose. I was chewing gum last week and it felt as though the filling had wedged out and I pushed it back in with my tongue. I had no pain though. I went for and emergency appointment to the dentist who confirmed there was a gap in the filling and it looks as though the filling hadn’t set properly (just my luck). Anyway, I’ve got a replacement filling booked in for Thursday. However, I’m now terrified of the original filling being replaced because as they mentioned last time, it’s already so close to the pulp that I’m scared they’re going to drill away even more tooth for the replacement filling and I’ll have to have a root canal. Do you have any advice for these situations? It’s only been just over 2 months so I’m hoping no new decay has started if it’s had the chance to get in under the filling. At this point, I don’t really feel scared for the filling, but more the idea that they’re going to drill more tooth and I’ll need further treatment.

 

[Gordon]

1) It won't have decayed in this short time
2) They won't need to touch any tooth substance, so no chance of needing a root canal due to that. They should be able to just pop the filling out, worst case is they need to cut a bit of filling away to clear an overhang but they won't need to drill the tooth at all.

 

[Averyscaredpatient]

@Gordon thanks Gordon, your replies really do make me feel at ease. Sorry if this is a stupid question (I’m aware the answer will seem obvious to a dentist), how does the dentist know where the filling ends and where the tooth is? I’m sure it would be easy with a metal filling but this is a white composite one. My dentist did say I probably wouldn’t even need a numbing injection but I would much rather have that than risk any pain at all.

 

[Gordon]

Even a closely colour matched composite is noticeably different from actual tooth substance, the texture and general appearance is very different.

I'm kind of allergic to pain myself so I see where you're coming from, I'd probably ask for local too.

 

[Averyscaredpatient]

@Gordon Just to update. Just got out of the dentist and you were right - not much drilling and most of the filling came away when touched with the drill. I understand their problem now; the filling actually is on the edge of my molar and goes down the side into the gum (essentially a whole corner of filling on the inside of the tooth). The dentist explained that because it’s on the edge, there isn’t actually much tooth for the filling to stick to, so they have to add an extra bit of “prep” onto the side, so the composite can bond. She definitely took more attention to make sure the area was dry this time (eg using a wedge in the clamp to separate the tooth from the gum) but she said this filling could do the same thing as previous and it’s all trial and error. I really hope this is second time lucky and doesn’t go to third. I asked if it would be better to do a metal filling but she said as it’s on a corner, that may also not work. Do you know if there would be any other options?

 

[Gordon]

If there's not enough retention for a filling then you're looking at either a crown or an inlay/onlay, either gold or porcelain. This would probably involve removing a bit more tooth substance, so the dentist is trying to be as conservative with that as possible (apart from the extra expense for you too!).