Root Canal Filling Came Out

[TrickyJ]

Hello, this is my 1st post so hope someone can help?

I currently have a few rotting teeth which aren't causing particular pain but are unsightly and I've had a lump on my inside gum which feels like a small spot next to my lower back left molar and now that root canal filling has came out and it is very deep and also charcoal black so now I am worried that I have to go to tthe dentist which I haven't visited in 3 years (after they got the polisher tip stuck in my gum). Even if they put me under general anaesthetic, I still have an issue of travelling home as I have a fear of being in transport so I am now terrified and anxious even more about what to do. Can anyone please offer advice as I am at my wits end? Thank you in advance!

 

[bcjch]

A couple of thoughts ...

Charcoal black is not a good sign. There's no good way to say it, but I'm afraid that will need some attention from a dentist. The longer you put it off, the more miserable you'll be.

Try not to fight the "general anesthesia" battle unless or until you know it's actually needed. There may be other ways.

A couple questions, too - you say "root canal filling"? I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but in the USA, a root canal is done in conjunction with a crown. Exceptions are rare. Is the norm different elsewhere? (I don't know where you are, but I'm guessing you're across the pond from me.)

By "fear of transport", what do you mean? Someone else driving you? Taking the bus or some kind of public transportation? I can't quite infer the scenario you're imagining from the things you've said.

 

[TrickyJ]

I had a look in the mirror and it's pretty rotten and left a massive crater but the fear of seeing the dentist with 1. the mere shame of my teeth's condition and 2. the crippling apprehension that is putting me off going but thankfully no pain (possibly as no roots left in the tooth) but I still have the small spot there which could or could not be an abscess

Secondly I doubt I could just lie back and let my mind wander as the work gets done as I suffer from anxiety so normal worry is tenfold in that situation and my dentist is close to my home but I don't believe they offer general anaesthetia and the travelling issue is massive because I can only walk everywhere and researching online it seems that general anaesthetic, sleep dentistry or sedation all require someone who will accompany you there and back home.

Thirdly yes I am in the UK and the root canal pprocedure I imagine would be much the same.

 

[bcjch]

OK, let me make sure I have a couple of details right ... the worrisome bump in your gum is next to the tooth with the missing filling? And the transport issue is more about not having the means than anything else?

Just a couple more thoughts right now ...

In what discussion I've read here, dentists who lay any shame on patients for the condition of their teeth seem to be in the minority. If you've been planning on going to the same dentist you did 3 years ago and think that's what this specific dentist will do, there are other dentists. If anyone presses the issue about choosing someone else, simply say what happened with the polisher tip was a deal breaker. I wouldn't go back to the same dentist after something like that happened.

There are often reviews of different dentists on the internet. Look some up. You might find one that has a lot of praise from patients for chair-side manner and quality of work. Call the office and see if you get the same feeling from the staff when you talk to them. If the dentist or his staff aren't going to do anything more to you than say "You should come back more often" or "we should keep an eye on tooth X", you'll have sidestepped the shame issue. You already know you should go more often - you just have a psychological monster that gets in the way.

If you can find someone you can work with well enough on this level, and they say stronger sedation is needed, ask them if they've ever had a patient with the transportation issues you do and how it all got worked out. If the reason why you walk everywhere is based on where you live, your neighbors and acquaintances probably walk everywhere like you do - and the dentist who treated them has probably dealt with someone in your same situation.

 

[TrickyJ]

The lump has now gone as the black charcoal part came out but now the tooth keeps crumbling and coming out in stages and I now no longer have the pain just a tooth with a large crater like aappearance with 2 holes either side. The travelling issue is not to do with the means it is a fear of being within the confines of a car, bus, train etc also known as hodophobia.

This dentist is the closest for walking distance and because of the crippling fear of being 'awake' in the dentist's chair, I will be unable to travel home without assistance if they give me a sedative unless it is strong enough to knock me out so I wouldn't rrealise I would be in transport.

I will call them and see what they say and post an update!