Terrible news at dentist

[katk]

Hi
After many years and some bad tooth movement I am.back from the dentist. I need deep cleaning and have bone loss and gum disease. The deep cleaning will determine next steps but I will lose teeth at se point. I am only 46 and live in fear of this. How painful is the deep clean? Are dentures awful? I need some talking to!!

 

[smirked]

I'm about to turn 42 and am going through the process now of transition to dentures.

I'll have a full upper denture and a partial lower, with 8 teeth remaining at the front bottom. I felt a great deal of anxiety at first. But now I am feeling great about it.

I have had deep cleaning in the past and it isn't pleasant, but not what I would consider awfully painful. They do go under between the gum and tooth, it's eye watering.

I was initially stunned that I'd lose so many teeth. But I'm actually relieved now. In honesty I look forward to having a healthy mouth again and saying goodbye to the teeth (along with a great deal of anxiety) is so worth it.

 

[katk]

I'm about to turn 42 and am going through the process now of transition to dentures.

I'll have a full upper denture and a partial lower, with 8 teeth remaining at the front bottom. I felt a great deal of anxiety at first. But now I am feeling great about it.

I have had deep cleaning in the past and it isn't pleasant, but not what I would consider awfully painful. They do go under between the gum and tooth, it's eye watering.

I was initially stunned that I'd lose so many teeth. But I'm actually relieved now. In honesty I look forward to having a healthy mouth again and saying goodbye to the teeth (along with a great deal of anxiety) is so worth it.

 

[katk]

Thanks for this. Is the deep cleaning painful? You say eye watering? Did they do dentures straight away? I can't stand the thought of living day to day with lost teeth until the next step. And the dentures? Do you get on ok with them? Are they painful? Do they look natural to someone who wouldn't know? Sorry foe the many questions!

 

[anonfemale]

@katk Has the dentist said that you will lose your teeth?. I have heard from the one of the dentists on here that it takes decades to get meaningful bone loss and that not everyone who has bone loss loses their teeth. I'm 40 years old and I have 20 to 30 percent moderate bone loss in my back teeth and gums. I have deep cleanings every 3 months with the hygienist. It feels a bit uncomfortable but I don't think it hurts. The dentist and hygienist said my gums have improved in the rest of my mouth since I started using interdental brushes, a waterpik and an electric toothbrush two or three times a day.

 

[smirked]

Well, I opted to have the deep clean done without anaesthetic. I'd describe the experience as unpleasant and a bit sharp at times. As a nervous patient you can have them numb you up for it as well. But I'm not a fan of having a numb face if I can avoid it.

I should clarify my situation. At the moment I still have natural teeth. By transitioning into dentures I mean my treatment plan is underway. But I still have a ways to go.

Currently I only have 1 molar left on the bottom and recently had 3 molars out on top left. Next appointment 3 molars and premolar top right will come out. Dentist is doing it in stages. I guess because in the end some part of the healing has taken place and my immediate dentures will fit better.

Soon I'll be at a point where I'll only have my front teeth top and bottom remaining. But thankfully not for long. When all is said and done I'll have 8 teeth (bottom front row) natural remaining.

My research on dentures has relaxed me on the process and overall I'm happy. I'll have a healthy mouth again instead of mouth of rotten/filled teeth.

Feel free to ask questions I'm happy to talk.

 

[katk]

@anonfemale yes apparently I will. I think I was so shocked I didn't answer valuable questions such as how much loss I have but the xrays, to me, didn't loom good?

 

[anonfemale]

@katk Did the dentist explain the x rays to you?. I'm sorry you were shocked. I was shocked when I was told about my bone loss too but I feel better knowing that it takes decades to get meaningful bone loss and that not everyone loses their teeth.

 

[katk]

@anonfemale no, all she said was she would know more after the deep clean? I really don't know if I should be asking other questions first? I'm totally blown away by it and feel so so scared

 

[smirked]

@katk There is too much unknown here, it seems. In these situations I find it best not to think about it. Try not to worry too much. Reassess once you know more.

What you see from an x-ray and what the dentist sees are two completely different interpretations. Where you thought it looked bad, the dentist may not.

Wait and see. Don't over analyse (try not to - I know this is difficult)

 

[katk]

@smirked thank you. Very wise words. I know I need to do the deep clean and I know the procedure petrified me as much as the possible outcome, but I feel so uncertain about everything!

 

[anonfemale]

@katk I usually write any questions down that I think of and take them with me to my appointment and give them to the dentist or hygienist. I hope everything goes well for you.

 

[smirked]

Uncertainty is an uncomfortable feeling. I understand completely what you're going through. I was very much the same before my dentist had a treatment plan for me.

Best thing I did was just put it out of my mind until I knew more. You're just practicing a form of self torturing mind games otherwise. You'll wind yourself up so tight your anxiety will become worse.

Try to relax as much as you can. Think about things and what they might mean for your future, certainly - especially if dentures are considered. You have to get clued up on them and stuff like that. But keep in mind that, the work you require, will be for the betterment of your oral (and overall) health.

 

[katk]

@anonfemale great idea, thank you!

 

[katk]

@smirked it's all consuming, I don't know how to switch off from it, my mind won't allow me to

 

[smirked]

@katk Have you lost teeth before? I think that you should attempt to prepare yourself mentally for the possibility of losing teeth. Because it's a definite possibility at this point, by the sound of the teeth movement you mentioned. I take it they are getting loose?

There comes a time in life where you just have to let go. Where they're doing you more harm being in your mouth.

But! I'm not a dentist. They may deep clean your gums and the gum disease clears up to the point that your teeth are fine in there.

When I was 24 I was fighting (naughty boy) got punched in the teeth. Thought nothing of it at the time. Then one of my front teeth started to get loose and go darker than the rest. I thought it was dying and was sure it would fall out soon. It's still in there 18yrs later.

 

[katk]

@smirked no,never lost a tooth, they are just moving and my front especially is very wonky and feels like it is getting worse. My understanding is that this is because of the bone loss?

 

[smirked]

@katk 46 and never lost a tooth? That's impressive. But, to be honest, it explains your worries. Just remember - whatever happens, it's for the better. It's to get your mouth back to being healthy. And that's the main thing - doing what's best for your health. Oral and overall.

 

[katk]

@smirked I always prided myself on no fillings either so this really disturbs me haha

 

[anonfemale]

@katk I'm glad you like the idea of writing your questions down to give to the dentist and hygienist if you see one. The bone loss I have does still make me anxious sometimes but I try not to think about it too much. Talking to people on the forum helps me. I had a panoramic x ray a few weeks ago and I haven't been told the results yet. My bone loss was diagnosed in May this year after I had a bite wing x ray but the dentist said that the bone loss hadn't progressed since I had an x ray 6 years ago. I hope yours hasn't progressed and that you can improve your gums.