Teeth out tomorrow under GA!! Help?!

[ktg2005]

Hi there,

I'm new to this website/forum so please bare with me! I came across this site whilst looking for help/advice/support on my procedure tomorrow as I'm unsure on whether to go or not?!

Here's a quick bit of background (apologies for rambling), after 10 years of not visiting the dentist due to a number of traumatic experiences as a teenager with an insensitive butcher of a dentist I finally plucked up the courage to go (this was only following 4 weeks of unbearble pain and a realisation that I was taking way too many painkillers!) After initially seeing the most rude dentist in the practice (who asked me, why, if I was so scared of the dentist had I not taken better care of my teeth?! A fair point, but not something I wanted to hear whilst the tears were rolling down my face) I then managed to see the dentist who treats my children (I had never met her before as I've never taken them to an appointment, my husband has always taken care of it) but she was lovely! She managed to examine my teeth without touching them and advised that I would need to be referred to the NHS for sedation as she was going to struggle to get any work done without it (sedation isnt offered at my practice).

Fast forward a few months and I now have an appointment for tomorrow to get 3 teeth out (1 being a wisdom tooth) under GA at the hospital....I AM TERRIFIED!!

I'm not sure what I'm most scared of, the procedure, the GA, the bleeding, the complications...the unknown!!

My goal is to get these teeth removed and start building a 'healthy' relationship with the dentist. I know I need fillings etc and will need something to close these gaps but all of that seems such a long way off at the moment. My stomach is in knots and I'm contemplating just not going but I know I'm just putting off the inevitable.......help!!

 

[Steve In Cleveland]

Good luck, ktg2005, and welcome to the club.

I'm so glad you found a friendly and compassionate dentist in your kids' dentist. It's probably the most important thing, finding someone who is kind and not judging. You can't go back and undo what's been done, and it takes a lot of courage to face your fears and start working towards getting better.

The extraction appointment should be a breeze. Most extractions are very gentle and don't involve much if any pain during recovery. (Your dentist may prescribe some mild painkillers as a precaution). Expect to eat soft foods for a couple of days but other than that you should be on your feet and feeling fine.

Despite this being new and unknown and terrifying to you, it's really a very common, simple procedure with few complications. You'll be in and out and on your way in no time, and being under GA you won't have to feel a thing.

Good luck and hang in there! You'll feel so much better this time tomorrow...

 

[chickenjen]

Since you said you're having GA in the hospital, I assuming you're not in the US.
I can tell you my story and hope that after you read it, you'll feel better about your appointment and keep it.
I had 9 extractions done 4 years ago under IV sedation. I had 2 wisdoms, 1 full decaying molar, and 6 teeth broken to the gumline. It was really was painless. I woke in the middle (of course, if you're having GA, this probably won't happen to you) felt absolutely NO PAIN and went back to sleep. They woke me up and asked me how long do you think you were out? I guessed an hour, and it was 3 HOURS!!
They kept me in the office about an hour with an assistant keeping an eye on me, then finally let me go home.
I managed to get some liquid children's pain-reliever in me (most important......bring some kind of pain reliever with to the appointment and take it BEFORE you get home and BEFORE the numbness wears off. I recommend taking the liquid childrens because it's easier to take than tablets just double the dose).
When I got home, the numbness wore off enough to where I could take my prescription pain-relievers. I also felt well enough to have a bit of pudding. I slept most of that day away.....so don't plan on doing any thing that day except resting and taking it easy....that's all you'll really want to do anyway.
My recovery was really easy. There really wasn't much in the way of pain, a few twinges here and there which were taken care of by my prescription. I think by the 3rd day post-op, I was almost feeling back to normal, eating a soft diet and only using OTC pain relievers for pain.
I know that this post was rather long- winded but I hope it helps you to go forward with your appointment.
All the best, and best of !!!
Jen

 

[ktg2005]

Hi Steve in Cleveland & chickenjen,

I just wanted to say thanks for your kind words of encouragement!

Despite being an absolute wreck and crying my eyes out like a baby (highly embarrassing), I went through with it and as I'm sure you've guessed it was not nearly as bad as expected!

I'm still quite uncomfortable and have some ear and jaw ache but apart from that all is well....I am however, scared to look in my mouth, I think I'll give it a few weeks!

My next stop on this dentistry journey is the dreaded fillings!! No doubt i'll be posting on here in a few weeks fine about my fear of drilling and vibration but until then I'm doing ok!

p.s. I hope I havent spoken too soon and get dry socket or an infection! Eeeek!!

Kxx

 

[Kim]

I am so glad that you managed through that part of your journey, and as harrowing as the build up was, that you are fine and dandy

If you have got through that, then the fillings will be a doddle, especially with the lovely new dentist you have found.

I wish you well on your road to dental health recovery