Stressed! root amputation Oct 1

[lisa1111]

Nice finding this site. I need to vent. I had a horrible experience two years ago with an extraction that took two hours, (with oral surgeon) I will spare you all the details but it was horrible and have not been to dentist since. 5 years ago I had a root canal and crown...that tooth was bothering me and i was getting funny taste in mouth and crown felt loose.. got self to dentist Tuesday who said infection and probably need to redo root canal ..sends me to endodontist.. after exam says the root is cracked under the crown and he wants me to go to periodontist to have a root amputation..they take root out and save tooth .. anyone ever have this procedure? its a way to attempt to save molar..(SAW ALL THREE doctors in a three hour span in hopes they would do whatever they needed to do so i did not have to think about it for days.. the tooth is lose right now.from infection. I am freaked out...I should never have watched the procedure on the internet... and add to the sheer panic of this ..I cant put head all the way back or i get dizzy from an inner ear disorder... that is what is setting me off the edge..just typing this my heart is pounding... currently on antibiotics which also are making me feel sick to my stomach ... the last experience with the tooth extraction was so horrible..so I have the panic of the procedure.the panic of losing control ..the panic of getting dizzy ..the panic of my heart beating out of chest when they give you the injections.. ok.. thanks for letting me vent.. sigh. all i can do is breath and pray

 

[carole]

Hello to the forum. Now that is off your chest, breath.

Explain to the surgeon when you go back how you feel and let them know about your ear problem, I am sure they will do everything to put your mind at rest and if you could arrange a stop signal with them before they start it will ease your nerves to know that they will stop if you need it.

Try remember to breath in through the mouth and out through the nose, I do this to a steady count of 1 breath in slowly and 2 breath out through the nose slowly. If you feel any discomfort let them know.

Good luck let us know how you get on please.

 

[sharon]

Hi Lisa and welcome,

I don't know anything about root amputations, I wish I could help you with that part of your question. I didn't know this could be done and I would say if all the dentists you have seen are in agreement with this it is a great way to save a tooth.

What I can empathize with you about is your fear of dizziness. I also suffer from an inner ear disorder (possibly Meniere's diseaese, no one really seems to know for sure though) and I am absolutley petrified of having a vertigo attack while in the dentist chair. I have suffered from dental phobia all my life but it has increased tremendously since the onset of this disorder, about 4 years ago. Lying in that horrible position with my head so low and my feet so high makes me feel like I am on the verge of an attack. I get freaked out just seeing pictures of people in that position. I have explained this to the dentists and some are very willing to work with me while in a somewhat upright position and others say there is no way they can do anything unless I am lying back. Also, when lying back I find it very difficult to swallow and with stuff dribbling down my throat I am scared I will start gagging, another major fear of mine. And some teeth I have learned are just too hard to reach when sitting more upright.

Do you take anything for your inner ear disorder? Before my appointments I usually take meclizine (over the counter it's bonine) and I would think dramamine would also help. For my big appointments (like tomorrow when I am going to have a crown ) I will also take valium. This I hope will help with my general anxiety about having the work done but also, valium is very often used as a first line of attack to help stop vertigo attacks and prevent vertigo. And it has nothing to do with anxiety causing vertigo, it is because it acts directly on the vestibular system. (It better work for me tomorrow.)

I know your appt is tomorrow so it may be too late for this. Are you in the U.S? If so you will probably need to pick the prescription up at the dentist's office and then take it to the pharmacy. I know in my state they cannot call it in by law, and that may be a federal law as well. Many, many years ago my dentist gave me something right there in the chair, probably valium or one of its relatives because my anxiety was so high but that was so long ago and laws have changed so they may no longer have things like this on hand for the super nervous.

Have you discussed your inner ear disorder with your dentist and how you need to sit up? I think this is something he needs to know before starting. I would try to get some valium (not trying to sound like a drug addict here) if at all possible before the appt.

Sending lots of luck and good wishes to your for your appoitment.

 

[Dave48]

I bits of your Post I get dizzy lying in the Dentist chair I have trouble with my mastoid Which makes it diffricult to have Dental treatment.



Dave.

 

[lisa1111]

Carole~Shannon~Dave

Thank you for your thoughts and words of wisdom...I am home and doing well !! Truthfully the few days leading up to the procedure were the worst and Sunday afternoon I contacted the doctor who would preform the surgery with my questions and concerns..He called me back and calmed many of my concerns. The root amputee is a heroic attempt to save a previously root canaled tooth that has one fx root. That was the plan until he opened things up and saw the fx root was actually 2 fx roots and a horrible infection with much bone loss..the prognosis for the procedure was poor and we changed gears and went for a extraction. Two years ago I had the same molar on the other side extracted due to a cracked root at which time I had that horrible experience. that being said when i realized after already being in the chair for 20min we would be doing an extraction I was comforted by the doctor when he told me not to worry it will not be a repeat of the previous bad experience. He was right, the tooth was removed in about fifteen min vs two hours. There was a lot of bone loss due to the infection and he bone grafted and collagened the site. I made it though despite a change in the plan! He worked on me from more of an upright position, this can be done! If the physician refuses to work with you not completely upside down then find another doctor. This was second to last molar on the top. They also had a really soft comphy neck pillow that was great as it stabilized my neck which helped with the inner ear issues i have a history of. I took no medication but prayed earnestly and truly felt the peace of G-d settle into my soul the night before the procedure..I slept well which was a miracle and I held on to promises in the word that I would be protected and watched over..and carried through the rough time. G-d is good..I feel like I experienced a miracle to be honest with the way I was able to get through the procedure and the few hours before. I felt some anxiety but nothing I could not control and when we had to switch gears and I saw the problems we were encountering I took slow breaths held on to the arms of the chair and prayed thanks for listening.. The key really is finding a dentist ..oral surgeon etc that understands..that you share all your worries and concerns...that is empathetic..etc.. do not keep your worries to yourself and do not wait to the day of the procedure to discuss. i also put a few hair bands on my wrist so i had something to fidget...it helped!

 

[fratermus]

That was the plan until he opened things up and saw the fx root was actually 2 fx roots and a horrible infection with much bone loss..the prognosis for the procedure was poor and we changed gears and went for a extraction.
...
He was right, the tooth was removed in about fifteen min vs two hours. There was a lot of bone loss due to the infection and he bone grafted and collagened the site. I made it though despite a change in the plan! He worked on me from more of an upright position, this can be done!

Yay!

That is a great outcome, and I really appreciate you writing the followup. It is encouraging for those of us that are just getting started.

 

[sharon]

Lisa, I'm so glad to hear your had a postive experience. Thanks for posting. At my visit yesterday I also asked my dentist if he had a pillow for my neck. They rolled up a comfy towel, put it behind my neck and it made a big difference.

Sharon