Shocked and terrified

[Laura86]

Thanks so much! This is all happening 31st May, so unfortunately I have to go through about 6 weeks of anxiety in the lead up!

 

[Laura86]

I’m even worse today after going to psychologist who said that the dentist has disclosed to her what treatment I need. I went hysterical and the psychologist says that after weighing up my anxiety levels of knowing vs not knowing, I am better off not knowing. She made me go through best case scenario, worst case scenario and what I realistically think.
I’m terrified of the idea of needing extractions that aren’t wisdom teeth. I might be able to get over wisdom teeth coming out because they don’t need to be replaced. But if I have to have implant surgery or get a partial, I won’t cope.
I’m still not understanding how I can need nearly $4000 of treatment when I’m feeling no pain. I can only hope that this doesn’t mean multiple extractions because surely I would feel something if teeth other than wisdom teeth need to come out?

 

[Gordon]

A few things Laura, the fee you're quoting, is that just for the dentistry? If you were to have a GA in the UK to have 4 wisdom teeth removed outside of our NHS system then the whole thing would be a lot more expensive than 4k AusD.

It's possible that they're looking at a worst case where your second molars have been eaten away under the gum surface by the 3rd molars. This can happen quite painlessly.
If you think about it, teeth are designed to "eat away" the bone/gum etc as they erupt to let them get into the mouth, so if they're angled the wrong way they can eat away the roots of the next tooth along instead...

If you had to have work done on the second molars as well as having the wisdom teeth out that would add a fair chunk to the costs.

Losing 2nd molars as well as wisdom teeth is not a big deal, no need to replace them, people can manage perfectly well without them.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Laura86]

Thanks so much, $4000 is dentist alone. I’m in Australia and seeing a specialist dentist. I could probably get over 4 extractions if no replacements were needed. The psychologist said she didn’t know what half the terms on the list were, so I’m hoping it’s not something like apiciotomy- surely I’d have some awareness if I needed something like that?

 

[MountainMama]

I understand your anxiety, and I am really glad that the dentists on here can help. I had a second molar out, and did not replace it. I haven't even missed it.

 

[Laura86]

To be honest, I rarely (if ever) chew that fat back. I just got scared of something someone said about it making the top teeth more prone to cavities because they have nothing to have contact with to remove particles, but that could be nonsense. I’m also being scared with stories about having to replace teeth because bone loss can affect other teeth.
Logically I know I will survive whatever has to be done, but my brain isn’t listening to logic very well. I’ve never had any type of dental treatment or even any type of surgery or even a local anaesthetic so it’s all so terrifying.

 

[MountainMama]

To be honest, I rarely (if ever) chew that fat back. I just got scared of something someone said about it making the top teeth more prone to cavities because they have nothing to have contact with to remove particles, but that could be nonsense. I’m also being scared with stories about having to replace teeth because bone loss can affect other teeth.
Logically I know I will survive whatever has to be done, but my brain isn’t listening to logic very well. I’ve never had any type of dental treatment or even any type of surgery or even a local anaesthetic so it’s all so terrifying.

I have never heard that about being more prone to cavities. I would think brushing your teeth regularly would solve that.

I had to go through quite a bit of work this past year, that was unexpected. I have been afraid of dental procedures since I was a kid, and had some bad experiences.

This past year, I have had to have two root canals, two apicoectomies, and now three molar extractions. I honestly did not think I would make it through all of it, but I am on the other side now, and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I still have more work to go, but am praying it holds off for a few months so I can get a break.

You will be stronger than you think you can be. The anticipation is the worst part of it. The recovery will not be as bad as you are imagining, either. It wasn't for me, with any of the procedures I had done.

Good luck to you!

 

[Laura86]

Thanks so much! I am very intolerant of pain and distress, and am trying to work through it all.

 

[letsconnect]

To be honest, I rarely (if ever) chew that fat back. I just got scared of something someone said about it making the top teeth more prone to cavities because they have nothing to have contact with to remove particles, but that could be nonsense.

You're right - that's complete hogwash. The main factor in cavities is frequency of sugar intake (we've got a page on this here on DFC if you're interested: How to prevent tooth decay).

Had you given the dentist permission to disclose their findings to the psychologist?

 

[Gordon]

There's zero chance of anybody doing an apicectomy under GA, we've discussed before about the limitations of treatment under anaesthetic haven't we? Treatment has to be as simple as possible, fillings and extractions pretty much is the limit...

Bone loss from extracted teeth has no effect on the remaining teeth whatsoever.

I expect that you're not paying for the individual costs of the items of treatment, you're paying for the specialist's time spent, they'll be doing pretty much an entire treatment session on just you and that's not cheap.

Are you being billed separately for the theatre costs (anaesthetist fees, nurse fees)?
(Not wishing to pry but if you're not then they have to be paid from the dentist's bill.)

 

[Laura86]

Thanks so much! I had given permission for the dentist and psychologist to communicate, but I didn’t know that this extended to telling what treatment was needed.
Yes I have been billed separately for the hospital and anaesthetist- an additional $5000!
I can only think that if the dentist’s part included implants or partials it would cost much more.
Interestingly, this dentist said that for special needs patients she will not do root canals or scaling unless the patient is under GA.

 

[Gordon]

Interesting, I wouldn't touch a root canal under GA unless I really really had to

 

[Laura86]

I guess different dentists have different opinions. My dentist is saying she’s conservative, but I’m not sure what that means in the dentist world. A couple of other questions, I’ve heard recovery from wisdom teeth extraction is harder once you hit 30, is that true? I’m 32 and my wisdom teeth came in when I was about 16.
Also, I tend not to open my mouth or smile wide, so could I go as far as not needing to replace a second premolar if it had to be extracted? I can’t see it coming to that, but just wondering. Thanks so much, I’ve really appreciated all your support!

 

[Gordon]

Recovery from everything is harder once you reach 30

Wisdom teeth are a law unto themselves, I've seen cases where the teeth virtually jumped out when I looked at them and the patient had a lot of post-op swelling and aches and pains, others where I've had a real fight getting the teeth out and the patient has been fine.

It's really impossible to predict what will happen even when you've got all the information in front of you.

There's no law says you have to replace any missing posterior tooth, I've had a missing first premolar on my upper right side since a misguided orthodontic plan by my dentist when I was 12. I've still got a small space there but I doubt if anyone but me cares about it, my wife has never noticed it

 

[Laura86]

Thanks so much! I’m crossing my fingers that I can get endone for any pain after surgery, and I’ll be setting alarms to make sure I don’t miss doses overnight.

 

[Gordon]

The anaesthetist should give you something pretty strong while you're asleep, it's worth mentioning that usually the dentist will put in some long lasting local anaesthetic when you're asleep too, so don't get a fright if you wake up with a numb mouth, it's not permanent.

 

[Jen615]

Laura, if this makes you feel any better, I am in my late forties and had ZERO problems getting my wisdom teeth out. Did not need the hydrocodone they gave me, got a ten mile run in four days after surgery...I did have the sedation and felt just fine afterwards. Best of luck to you!

 

[Laura86]

Thanks so much, I’ve heard so many different stories and I guess I’ll never know what it’s like for me until I experience it.
Given how much I’m paying just for the hospital and anaesthetist, I would certainly hope they’d do their utmost to ensure I don’t wake up in pain!

 

[Gordon]

Hopefully getting the bill will be the most painful part of the whole process!