O
onob7323
Junior member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
- 16
Hi. I'm new here. I did post a reply to a thread last week, but this is my first post here. I am happy that I found this site - it has been helpful to read that have gone through, or are currently going through similar situations. I had not been to a dentist in a VERY long time - fear of dentists mixed with fear of the cost kept me from it. Admittedly, it was mostly fear of the dentist. Bad experiences as a child. Anyway, I was forced into seeing a dentist because one of my teeth, very near to the front, broke off while eating a few weeks ago. I have had many teeth break off over the years, but they were easy to deal with since they didn't show. NOW I had to do something. My teeth have embarrassed me for quite a while. The top ones actually looked quite nice, so I could get by. I have been plagued by receding gums on the lowers since I was a child, so they have shifted and as I lost the support of other teeth, there are now big gaps. I wore braces for four years as a child and had quite a nice smile when that was done and I feel terrible that I let things get that bad. Anyway, I saw a very nice dentist 10 days ago who told me I can keep most of the top ones, just two toward the back have to be removed. He was not too optimistic about the lowers, but said he would know more after the x-rays. I knew that I would probably lose two for sure, but didn't anticipate ALL. All of my back teeth had broken off, so I only had six left on the bottom. He said 4 of those have to come out. Anyway, once I had the "plan", I felt a little better. At least NOW I know what needs to be done instead of worrying about it. He took impressions for partial upper and lower dentures and scheduled me to have the extractions tomorrow. I felt pretty good when I made these "plans", but now as the day approaches, all I want to do is cancel. I know that's not possible because I only have a temporary tooth that was bonded in to fit the gaping hole that was left by the tooth that broke off. I HAVE to get this done - I WANT to get this done because I want a nice healthy smile again, but I am really scared. Even though I haven't had a tooth extracted since I was a child (Had 4 permanent teeth removed when I was 12 to make room in my mouth ), but I can still "hear" what that sounded like and can still "feel" what it felt like. That's all I can think about now - the dentist I chose uses nitrous oxide and says I'll be fine - easy for him to say, he's the one doing the pulling! I keep telling myself that I will be so much happier when this is done and I keep trying to focus on that. I will have immediate partials after the extractions, so I will have an immediate new smile - THAT worries me too. I worry about what the "immediate" set of teeth will look like. Judging by the beautiful tooth that was bonded in for me on the first visit, I should relax, but it still worries me. I guess I won't be doing much sleeping tonight. My appointment is 8 a.m. tomorrow.
I just keep telling that in ____ hours the worst of this will be over and I will be on my way to a new improved look. I know there will an adjustment period which is also a concern. I have to work, so I have to get used to the partials very quickly - don't know if that is possible!! I teach piano so I have to be able to talk pretty well in a short amount of time - I can't take off for weeks - a few days at the most!!
Okay - sorry this is so long - just needed to kind of get it out there. I really do appreciate this forum very much. It is very cathartic for me to say this stuff to others who actually can relate to how I'm feeling. My husband is a great guy, but he doesn't understand why I am so fearful - he has no dental phobia at all!
Thank you very much!

Okay - sorry this is so long - just needed to kind of get it out there. I really do appreciate this forum very much. It is very cathartic for me to say this stuff to others who actually can relate to how I'm feeling. My husband is a great guy, but he doesn't understand why I am so fearful - he has no dental phobia at all!
Thank you very much!