Scary treatment plan

[4432paula]

I recently went to the dentist for the first time since I was 12. I’m 39 now! I only went because one of my molars was literally hanging off and it fell out on the day I went, leaving the root behind.

I had a panic attack in the waiting room but the dentist was great. I went to one that specialises in nervous patients. I’m unable to get an NHS one in my area so the cost is super high.

I was convinced I was going to lose all my teeth but he said I only needed two out - the roots of the one that fell out and the one above it which is broken in half anyway.

My treatment plan came through today and it’s got an extra extraction for my upper back molar which I don’t want and not sure why it’s there. This tooth hasn’t caused me any pain and doesn’t feel bad when I put my tongue on it. Can I pass on it? I think it’s a wisdom tooth?

There are also A LOT of fillings in appointment 5. Seems like a lot in one go! Is this common? The email said that the other appointments are the main concerns.

How much space am I likely to need between appointments?

I need to apply for finance first and I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m not approved.

I’m relieved to have a plan but also terrified. I will be sedated for the extractions.

I’ve attached a photo of the plan.

Thank you in advance for any help or opinions from dentists.

 

[4432paula]

Oh also I’ve already had appointment 1 if that’s not clear

 

[Gordon]

My treatment plan came through today and it’s got an extra extraction for my upper back molar which I don’t want and not sure why it’s there. This tooth hasn’t caused me any pain and doesn’t feel bad when I put my tongue on it. Can I pass on it? I think it’s a wisdom tooth?

Yes it's a wisdom tooth. Of course you can pass on it if you want.

First off, why don't you ask the dentist why it's scheduled for extraction, you're paying them partly for the treatment but also for their knowledge and advice. Take advantage of it

The fillings on Appt 5 look mostly pretty small and quick to do, but again, ask the dentist about it.

 

[4432paula]

@Gordon thank you. I think I will ask him about the wisdom tooth but unless he says it’s vital I will at least delay having it out for the time being. I want to keep one side of my mouth intact for now so I can get used to it!

 

[Gordon]

Sounds like a plan. Best of luck with it all. Feel free to post up here if there's anything you need further explained after you've seen your dentist.

 

[4432paula]

Finally got a revised treatment plan as the first one wasn’t split properly between appointments and I was asking if I definitely needed the wisdom tooth out. He says I really do as it’s heavily stained with a large hole and it’ll make it easier to work on the tooth next to it that also has a large hole. The bill is so high and I have to decide whether to have the sedation before I apply for finance as you can’t apply for finance twice and I don’t think I can afford all of it even paying monthly over 5 years.

I’m considering only having sedation for appointment 1 and braving the others but I’m really not sure if I can handle it. How bad will all the fillings be? Lots of injections I guess? I’m freaking out , I wish I could afford to be sedated for all of them

Once I make up my mind it’ll just be a case of applying for the finance and then booking it all in. I’m terrified I won’t be able to handle it without sedation and won’t have the finance option available as you can’t top it up once you’ve got it. But if I get it with all the sedation I’ll be broke for 5 years. I keep changing my mind about what to do.

 

[Gordon]

Lots of injections I guess?

No. Probably 2 injections for appointment 3 and 4, most likely 2 for appointment 2 or worse case 3.

 

[HMB]

Hi Paula

Did you decide what to do? I had a similar shock with a treatment plan earlier this year, and am currently on appointment 3 of mine. If it helps at all, I am terrified of going to the dentist, but having the ul8 (wisdom tooth) out was surprisingly easy. If you have a calm, patient dentist who ensures you have the correct does of anaesthetic, and explains what to expect (in fact mine oversold it by telling me about the crunching noise I might hear, and I hardly heard anything), then you might get away without the sedation.

A filling in lr6 (lower molar) was less comfortable, but still bearable. One thing I have noticed coming from a NHS practice is that private dentists appear to be far more 'generous' with the amount of anaesthetic they use.

Good luck. I hope whatever you decided to do goes well.

 

[4432paula]

Hi Paula

Did you decide what to do? I had a similar shock with a treatment plan earlier this year, and am currently on appointment 3 of mine. If it helps at all, I am terrified of going to the dentist, but having the ul8 (wisdom tooth) out was surprisingly easy. If you have a calm, patient dentist who ensures you have the correct does of anaesthetic, and explains what to expect (in fact mine oversold it by telling me about the crunching noise I might hear, and I hardly heard anything), then you might get away without the sedation.

A filling in lr6 (lower molar) was less comfortable, but still bearable. One thing I have noticed coming from a NHS practice is that private dentists appear to be far more 'generous' with the amount of anaesthetic they use.

Good luck. I hope whatever you decided to do goes well.

Hi, thank you so much for responding!

The dentist told me I do need the wisdom tooth out and I’ve decided to go ahead with it as he said it would cause problems in the future and to the tooth next to it.

He’s redone my whole treatment plan as I can only afford one lot of sedation, so now it’s in four appointments and the extractions and the hygiene appointment are all appointment one under sedation, all of the fillings are in the other three and will be without sedation.

I’m just getting my finance sorted and should be able to book my first appointment next week. It’s all taken ages as they’ve been really slow at responding!

I’m glad yours is going well. How much more have you got to go? I’m really looking forward to getting the cavity in my front tooth filled at appointment 2 as I’ve been self conscious about it for years. It’s not that big but it’s enough to have stopped me smiling with my teeth for a long time.

 

[HMB]

I found this site today and am so relieved. I was starting to feel really lonely with the treatment (and costs) I am facing. It's not something that is very easy to ask people you know about... I mean, have you had any teeth out? Or any root canal work? might come across as insensitive.

The extraction was OK, but the hole feels weird, and I'm currently in a debate with myself whether I have root canal on a lower back molar or have it out, which effectively will involve the removal of two other teeth, but if the root canal doesn't work, then I'll loose the teeth anyway. It's a decision that is causing me sleepless nights and endless google searching to find an answer!

I'm pleased the dentist could adjust your plan and it will all be worth it in the end. It's not until you get into this situation that you realise how much we take our teeth for granted.

 

[4432paula]

So. I’m back again. My first appointment is on Thursday and I haven’t slept properly in days. It’s for three extractions (one wisdom, one molar that’s broken at the gum line and one molar that’s broken in half), and a cleaning. All under iv sedation.

The fillings will need to be done without sedation as I can’t afford it. Don’t know how I’ll cope but I’ll think about that later. It’s the extractions that I’m most worried about.

I haven’t slept in nearly two weeks and when I do sleep I’m getting nightmares. I am TERRIFIED and it’s all I can think about. I don’t know how I’ll get through Thursday. I keep crying.

I’m worried about after care and dry socket, and not being able to eat or vape. Is it true you can’t even drink water for 24 hours after wisdom tooth removal? I keep reading different things. I really need some support as I’m a wreck.

 

[Gordon]

I’m worried about after care and dry socket, and not being able to eat or vape. Is it true you can’t even drink water for 24 hours after wisdom tooth removal? I keep reading different things. I really need some support as I’m a wreck.

Dry socket is vanishingly rare, less than 2 cases per hundred extractions. It's painful but it won't really harm you. It's fairly easily treated and usually is all gone in a few days.
No, you can drink anything you want after extractions. You should avoid alcohol for 24 hrs after IV sedation but that's about it.
Vaping is best avoided for as long as possible, ideally also 24 hrs but if you can't cope without then fair enough. Potentially it could increase the risk of dry socket but not by that much.