Tooth Extraction Needed & Very Scared... Please Help

[Cahn8]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and could really use some advise/reassurance. I have had ongoing issues with one of my teeth. I was told several years ago that I would need a root canal, but I haven't had dental insurance and dreaded the thought of the procedure; so I put it off. Recently, however, the tooth became infected. I completed a course of antibiotics, but the tooth became so weakened that it recently broke in half during brushing. At that point, I knew that I needed to see a dentist.

Unfortunately, the experience with that dentist was negative, and I am now petrified. The dentist was, I felt, very insensitive. He proceeded to inform me that the tooth is beyond repair and must be extracted immediately. However, he then launched into a 10 minute spiel warning me of the dangers of the extraction. Because of the location of the tooth (which is apparently near the sinus cavity), he warned me that there could be complications from the extraction that could cause me to get an life-threatening infection which could not be treated with antibiotics. Moreover, he said, the procedure could cause damage to my sinuses which would require surgery. This dentist then told me that, because of the risks, he would not perform the extraction. I was stunned and immediately horrified... no other dentist has used such alarming language with me. I was referred to an oral surgeon, but they had no available appointments until August.

Last night, I noticed that the tooth had cracked further and was at risk of breaking off near the gum line. So, I went in to have it looked at today by a different dentist, who could also give me a second opinion on the state of the tooth. The new dentist took an additional x-ray and concluded that the tooth is indeed too damaged to be saved. He said, however, that the extraction should be simple and will take no more than 30 minutes. He did not see a need for me to see an oral surgeon, and said that I will "be fine" and shouldn't worry so much. He would like to do the extraction on Friday to get it done and over with.

I am really torn on what to do. I know that I need to have the tooth removed because it is severely damaged and decayed. However, I am so petrified... especially after being told by the prior dentist that the situation could become life threatening! I felt more comfortable with the dentist I saw today; however, I don't know if I should see an oral surgeon (as was previously recommended), instead. I am so distressed over this that I've been having nightmares and anxiety attacks which have kept me up for half of the night. I am truly afraid that something could go wrong... and I am also afraid of the potential pain/logistics of the procedure. The new dentist acted as if I have nothing to worry about, but I just cannot feel at ease.

I'm sorry for the long post... I just feel the need to vent. I am shaking as I type this and hoping that someone out there can provide me with some sense of reassurance that I will be ok and that I am not going to die. I am also interested in knowing others' perspectives on the pros and cons of having a dentist vs an oral surgeon perform the extraction. The tooth is on the top (third over from my second front tooth).

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[MidoriBird]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and could really use some advise/reassurance. I have had ongoing issues with one of my teeth. I was told several years ago that I would need a root canal, but I haven't had dental insurance and dreaded the thought of the procedure; so I put it off. Recently, however, the tooth became infected. I completed a course of antibiotics, but the tooth became so weakened that it recently broke in half during brushing. At that point, I knew that I needed to see a dentist.

Unfortunately, the experience with that dentist was negative, and I am now petrified. The dentist was, I felt, very insensitive. He proceeded to inform me that the tooth is beyond repair and must be extracted immediately. However, he then launched into a 10 minute spiel warning me of the dangers of the extraction. Because of the location of the tooth (which is apparently near the sinus cavity), he warned me that there could be complications from the extraction that could cause me to get an life-threatening infection which could not be treated with antibiotics. Moreover, he said, the procedure could cause damage to my sinuses which would require surgery. This dentist then told me that, because of the risks, he would not perform the extraction. I was stunned and immediately horrified... no other dentist has used such alarming language with me. I was referred to an oral surgeon, but they had no available appointments until August.

Last night, I noticed that the tooth had cracked further and was at risk of breaking off near the gum line. So, I went in to have it looked at today by a different dentist, who could also give me a second opinion on the state of the tooth. The new dentist took an additional x-ray and concluded that the tooth is indeed too damaged to be saved. He said, however, that the extraction should be simple and will take no more than 30 minutes. He did not see a need for me to see an oral surgeon, and said that I will "be fine" and shouldn't worry so much. He would like to do the extraction on Friday to get it done and over with.

I am really torn on what to do. I know that I need to have the tooth removed because it is severely damaged and decayed. However, I am so petrified... especially after being told by the prior dentist that the situation could become life threatening! I felt more comfortable with the dentist I saw today; however, I don't know if I should see an oral surgeon (as was previously recommended), instead. I am so distressed over this that I've been having nightmares and anxiety attacks which have kept me up for half of the night. I am truly afraid that something could go wrong... and I am also afraid of the potential pain/logistics of the procedure. The new dentist acted as if I have nothing to worry about, but I just cannot feel at ease.

I'm sorry for the long post... I just feel the need to vent. I am shaking as I type this and hoping that someone out there can provide me with some sense of reassurance that I will be ok and that I am not going to die. I am also interested in knowing others' perspectives on the pros and cons of having a dentist vs an oral surgeon perform the extraction. The tooth is on the top (third over from my second front tooth).

Thanks so much in advance.

First off, I am not a dentist. I should make that clear. I am looking at this with some common sense and firsthand knowledge...I had two molars removed a month ago; I do understand.

No dentist should ever use the approach the first one did. If you have a medical condition that makes certain risks more likely, then by all means a dentist should inform you of certain risks, but no dentist should EVER use scare tactics and worst-case-scenarios as a given. It's been over three years since I visited one place where they were very nice until they learned that money was an issue. Dear god, were they awful after that....

You'll most likely be FINE. If you were clear with your second dentist on your medical history, quite likely the second dentist is being quite straight with you. Dr. Dooms don't usually keep a lot of patients in the seats anymore...that is a tactic best left in the past. My current dentist is friendly and quite open, but has never given me any sort of judgement call. He examined my teeth, got me past my terror and laid out a plan to put into action after he did the most important one...the root canal I needed for my broken, infected tooth.

Unfortunately in slightly less than three weeks I DO have to go back to an oral surgeon further away, and I don't think I like him too well. Fortunately, he's not mean or cruel, but he is Mr. Stoneface with traces of Dr. Doom in his demeanor. According to him the risks are very high with my wisdom teeth and he sees the need to only take one...the one that's partially erupted and, in his own words, "An abscess waiting to happen." He makes me very uneasy to the point I can barely talk in his presence, but I expect his mono-speech, unflinching demeanor is his way of keeping his emotions to himself while telling it exactly like it is, without the need to spin worst-case scenarios to terrify his patients.

And PS. Even if you did get a small sinus perforation due to molar removal (which is an uncommon risk), nearly ALL of them close within weeks of their own accord. It is very rare that the hole remains something that has to be addressed with further surgery! So don't worry so much! You'll very likely be fine!

 

[extreme-anxiety]

My suggestion is to contact an oral surgeon at a hospital. I had an extraction done at a hospital wih IV sedation and I felt nothing and remember nothing. Many hospitals have na oral surgery dept. I was terrified, but had it done and it wasn't bad at all. Now I have another problem - a tooth that needs a root canal and more and I think I'm going to opt to have it extracted. Definitely talk with another oral surgeon and preferably at a hospital. Really good oral surgeons can do wonders. I had a wisdom tooth removed that was so high you couldn't even see it. Some drs. are real jerks and shouldn't be practicing because they have no regard for how patients might feel.

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and could really use some advise/reassurance. I have had ongoing issues with one of my teeth. I was told several years ago that I would need a root canal, but I haven't had dental insurance and dreaded the thought of the procedure; so I put it off. Recently, however, the tooth became infected. I completed a course of antibiotics, but the tooth became so weakened that it recently broke in half during brushing. At that point, I knew that I needed to see a dentist.

Unfortunately, the experience with that dentist was negative, and I am now petrified. The dentist was, I felt, very insensitive. He proceeded to inform me that the tooth is beyond repair and must be extracted immediately. However, he then launched into a 10 minute spiel warning me of the dangers of the extraction. Because of the location of the tooth (which is apparently near the sinus cavity), he warned me that there could be complications from the extraction that could cause me to get an life-threatening infection which could not be treated with antibiotics. Moreover, he said, the procedure could cause damage to my sinuses which would require surgery. This dentist then told me that, because of the risks, he would not perform the extraction. I was stunned and immediately horrified... no other dentist has used such alarming language with me. I was referred to an oral surgeon, but they had no available appointments until August.

Last night, I noticed that the tooth had cracked further and was at risk of breaking off near the gum line. So, I went in to have it looked at today by a different dentist, who could also give me a second opinion on the state of the tooth. The new dentist took an additional x-ray and concluded that the tooth is indeed too damaged to be saved. He said, however, that the extraction should be simple and will take no more than 30 minutes. He did not see a need for me to see an oral surgeon, and said that I will "be fine" and shouldn't worry so much. He would like to do the extraction on Friday to get it done and over with.

I am really torn on what to do. I know that I need to have the tooth removed because it is severely damaged and decayed. However, I am so petrified... especially after being told by the prior dentist that the situation could become life threatening! I felt more comfortable with the dentist I saw today; however, I don't know if I should see an oral surgeon (as was previously recommended), instead. I am so distressed over this that I've been having nightmares and anxiety attacks which have kept me up for half of the night. I am truly afraid that something could go wrong... and I am also afraid of the potential pain/logistics of the procedure. The new dentist acted as if I have nothing to worry about, but I just cannot feel at ease.

I'm sorry for the long post... I just feel the need to vent. I am shaking as I type this and hoping that someone out there can provide me with some sense of reassurance that I will be ok and that I am not going to die. I am also interested in knowing others' perspectives on the pros and cons of having a dentist vs an oral surgeon perform the extraction. The tooth is on the top (third over from my second front tooth).

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Cahn8]

My suggestion is to contact an oral surgeon at a hospital. I had an extraction done at a hospital wih IV sedation and I felt nothing and remember nothing. Many hospitals have na oral surgery dept. I was terrified, but had it done and it wasn't bad at all. Now I have another problem - a tooth that needs a root canal and more and I think I'm going to opt to have it extracted. Definitely talk with another oral surgeon and preferably at a hospital. Really good oral surgeons can do wonders. I had a wisdom tooth removed that was so high you couldn't even see it. Some drs. are real jerks and shouldn't be practicing because they have no regard for how patients might feel.

Thanks so much for your helpful replies. The "Dr. Doom" reference made me laugh.

I am a young woman in overall good health, which is partly why I was so taken aback by the language used by the prior dentist. I contacted the other oral surgeon today that I received a referral for, but they also can't see me until August. In that case... I may end up having it done tomorrow by the new dentist, because the tooth is in such bad shape and I don't think that it should be left like this for that long. I have been unable to eat barely anything for weeks, which is taking a toll on me physically.

If I do end up going through with the extraction tomorrow... does anyone have any suggestions for getting through it? Have any techniques/distractions worked for those of you who have had similar work done?

 

[Cahn8]

Update: I went to the dentist today, but apparently the tooth is infected again, so he prescribed me antibiotics and wants to reschedule the extraction for next week.

I was a little put off by his attitude, though. When I discussed my anxiety about the procedure, he acted inconvenienced and a bit annoyed, as if I was wasting his time. So, I don't really know as though I feel comfortable going forward and allowing him to perform the extraction. He answered some of my questions but was a little brisk and seemed to be in a rush.

The tooth broke off completely at the gum line last night (as I knew could happen). After my experience today, I'm really considering waiting and seeing an oral surgeon. Perhaps I would feel less anxious about that because I know that they are experts with extractions, and maybe I can find one who is a bit more understanding. However, I am concerned about having to wait so long (two months), because they do not have any availability before then. In general, should I be ok waiting a while if I am very diligent with oral hygiene until then? Or is there a high risk of recurrent infections because of the fact that it is so badly broken? I have already been on antibiotics 3 times in the last 3 months (twice for this tooth), so I really don't want to keep having to go through this... but I don't want to force myself to get the procedure done by someone who makes my anxiety even worse. Any thoughts?