Terrified rotten molar extraction

[chelslou]

Hello all

I am booked in for an extraction of my badly rotten lower molar in 2 days.

I am terrified and just wondered if I can get some help.

1) I will attach a picture of my tooth. It is badly rotten and most of the middle is gone. Will tbis be hard to extract? My dentist said if it breaks during extraction I will be referred to a specialist however he is going to attempt it himself. Does this mean he is fairly confident he can extract it?

2) How painful are dental injections without topical numbing gel? I asked him if he could use it but he said that he doesn't typically use gel for injections.

3) I have heard horror stories of teeth not numbing and intrapulpal injection being used which is apparently extremely painful. Is there a high likelihood my dentist can take this tooth out without any intrapulpal injection?

 

[Gordon]

1) I will attach a picture of my tooth. It is badly rotten and most of the middle is gone. Will tbis be hard to extract? My dentist said if it breaks during extraction I will be referred to a specialist however he is going to attempt it himself. Does this mean he is fairly confident he can extract it?

I'd not be worried about taking that out, but I removed 100s of teeth per month.

If he's not confident he can extract it then the GDC (the folks who run dentistry in the UK) would expect him not to try it, so he better be!

2) How painful are dental injections without topical numbing gel? I asked him if he could use it but he said that he doesn't typically use gel for injections.

Ask him to splash out the extra 5p or so to use the gel? It honestly doesn't make a huge difference, but it's got quite a positive psychological effect for the patient, which means it's worth doing.

3) I have heard horror stories of teeth not numbing and intrapulpal injection being used which is apparently extremely painful. Is there a high likelihood my dentist can take this tooth out without any intrapulpal injection?

Very high. IP injections are usually a last resort when doing a root canal, they are no benefit for numbing for extractions.

 

[chelslou]

@Gordon thank you so much. Honestly reading your response has really really reassured me knowing you are such a highly qualified dentist. Have been feeling like I am on death row for this extraction but I know I will feel a lot better once its over.

 

[molarity]

Hi - I had a molar extraction done about two weeks ago, so I'd like to share my experience. The following is a detailed description of the procedure, if you'd prefer not to know then skip to the last paragraph:

I had a massive cavity (size of a pencil eraser) due to part of the tooth breaking off after a crown failed. The cavity went under the gum line, so they recommended full extraction + bone graft + an implant in the future. My doctor was upfront that because there was infection around the nerve of the tooth, they would have to add pain medication little by little. She was very generous with the numbing medication, the moment I raised my hand to signal pain she numbed me right up! The size of the needle was honestly the scariest part, closing my eyes helped me not be as afraid. It kinda felt like the needle was poking the base of my tongue, but that's just due to how the nerves in the mouth are placed. There was slight initial pain while being injected, but compared to the worst pain spikes of living with the cavity, it was a breeze.

My dentist chose to essentially saw the tooth in half down the middle and take out the two halves separately. The drill sounded like a musical mosquito, pretending it was an alien spaceship landing helped me feel more calm. She added a collagen plug (which looks like pus but it isn't!) and stitches to close the hole. The stitches felt weird, but not super painful, less than biting your cheek. You may be able to see/feel them with your tongue after surgery, that is normal. If they do not dissolve on their own, your dentist can remove them in your follow-up appointment.

I would recommend taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (those are the US names) before or right after your visit, and have an ice pack ready for your journey home. I took the day of surgery off and the day after, if you can it will really help. I'd also bring/ask for a stress ball, my way of dealing with pain is tensing my muscles and having a ball to squeeze helped my hands not cramp. You have the right to ask for a pause or for extra water/suction during the procedure, and to ask for pain relief/numbing, so don't be afraid to exercise it!

You are going to do great - even though it's scary now, you'll feel so much better once it's over. Plus, you have to eat soft foods after so you can have all the yogurt and sweet pudding you desire!

 

[chelslou]

@molarity thank you this is really helpful. I just know my heart is going to be pounding the second I sit in that chair

 

[chelslou]

Just an update for anyone interested as it may provide reassurance to anyone who has seen this post. I was shaking prior to my appointment and tempted to cancel but I went anyway. Tried to compartmentalise my visits into things like : getting to the dentist, getting in the chair, getting the numbing injections, waiting for the numbing and the extraction. I felt this made it feel like once one hurdle was over the next was easier.

Injections were easy, I had an IANB block and I believe a long buccal block. Teeny tiny pinch but if you have piercings or tattoos I promise you this is nothing close.

Dentist let me sit and talk to his assistant while I numbed. And then it was extraction time. I felt the lifting sensation of the tooth which wasn't scary at all and even the noises did not intimidate me as much as expected. I then felt the forceps/clamp go over the tooth and knew this was the final step to the tooth being out. My tooth was literally out in 2 minutes. I was called in around 11:25am and on the phone to my sister leaving the dentist at 11:33.

Genuinely the easiest procedure ever and I wouldn't be scared if I had to have it done again for any reason.

 

[chelslou]

@Gordon just wanted your advise as I know you know your stuff. Its now been just over 24 hours since my extraction. Does this extraction site look normal?

 

[Gordon]

Yes.

 

[Tiger5]

@chelslou good on you! I feel better reading your story, trying to work myself up to go get my two back bottom molars out they are shot !!!! Was meant to have them extracted 4 months ago , I canceled the appt. I know I must do it. I’m sick of living with the worry about what’s happening to me as I’m highly health anxious… so I goto worst case scenario with it… all my teeth are good aside from these ones ugh so embarrassing

 

[chelslou]

@Tiger5 Honestly you will be okay I promise. I know its hard to believe when you are nervous but you will feel so much better once they are out. I tried to remind myself that its better to get the tooth out now then when it causes an abcess and is incredibly painful. Don't be embarrassed as well, I can guarantee you you will not be the worst case your dentist has seen and they really don't judge

 

[Scarrs]

@chelslou hello, did you have an abscess as well? I have to go and extract a lower molar as well. Scared to death. Pls let me know

 

[Tiger5]

@Scarrs Hello how are you doing? I’ve not had my extracted yet as I’m so so scared. Health anxiety is hell. So the crown of the molar ended up falling off had no pain or issues bleeding notning but the root is still there so I have to get it cleaned out very soon UGH.