Two front teeth root canals tomorrow:(

[tanyachicken]

Got to make a choice now help???


Ok heres my story any help at all would be great!!!
I am 31 never sat in a dentist chair awake to get ANY work done!!!
I have been put to sleep everytime!!
My old dentist will not put me to sleep because I have high blood pressure!
The last time I was put to sleep in the dentist chair my blood pressure went sky high!!
So I have not been to the denist since then 3 years or so maybe more!!
I had a almost 10 pound baby boy ....but after I had him and while I was pregnant my teeth went really bad!!!
He is now going to be two!!!
I just made an appointment with another denist!!!
They were great I was able to sit in the chair at least with the pokey thing in my mouth!!!
But the story goes on!!!!!
I have to get at least 3 root canals in my front teeth they are hoping they can save them!!!and caps!!!
I need 3 teeth pulled and one being my wisdom tooth!!!
One problem being my hubbys union only covers 2200 a year so if I decided to get the root canals I would have to pay for some (sorund 800-900) and then pay to get my 3 teeth pulled on top of that!!
I also can not afford to get the teeth capped untill January till I have more benifits!!!
The dentist warned me if I get them done and dont get caps right away they will be very very weak!!!
My only other choice is to get top dentures!!!
I have never sat in a chair before and the root canals will take at least 15 appt alone??? I am really scared!!!!
To do either but my time is running out as my teeth are getting worse by the day???
Please any advice!!!
The denist offers an ativan sedation but I am scared to take the pills as welll????
HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!

 

[scaredstiff]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Firstly I would like to give you a big welcome to this board and hope you feel, like so many others before you, a sort of "WOW" feeling at knowing such a place exists and that there are so many of us in the same boat, i.e. a little scared (to say the least) about going to the dentist. I know when I first joined up here I couldn't believe that after thinking for so many years I was the only one in the whole wide world who had a problem with dentists, that in fact there are thousands and thousands of us all over the world.

It's great that you've found a dentist with whom you feel as comfortable with as I suppose you can considering their profession, because finding the right dentist with the right personality, characteristics, attitude, caring, understanding manner is as important as his/her skill in dentistry and can make all the difference to you.

Now make no mistake, I am no professional, just a dental phobic along with everyone else on this site but what would say is, unless the dentist himself has mentioned the word dentures, don't even think of going down that way. I know it seems like you have to go through so much, that it will take so long, and so costly but if I had my time over again, I would do everything possible to save my natural teeth.

You may have gathered by now that I have dentures. Yes I do, and absolutely nothing wrong with them but there is nothing like keeping your natural teeth. Whatever age you are, and I know you are 31, you are far too young for dentures. I'm more than double your age and I feel too young for dentures but then my phobia lasted more than 40 years and it was really too late for me. If only the internet had been in existence 30 years ago and this site up and running, things could have been so different but it is no good living in the past.

Enough about me but, do think carefully about everything the dentist has recommended. Has he given you a treatment plan in writing so you can go through it carefully and work out your own schedule, doing bit by bit. Or, if you are worried about the teeth weakening if you don't get caps immediately, might a second opinion be on the cards?

I believe things have a way of working out. So many of us here, apart from sharing the phobia of dentists, and then getting over the embarrassment factor from having neglected our teeth for however long, are then faced with coping with the costs but somehow, things do work out. I am sure they will for you too. It's good that your dentist is offering sedation, but if you are worried about taking pills, does he use nitrous or any other methods. What you need to do is sit down, make a list of all your questions, so that you can tie up any loose ends before any treatment starts.

In the meantime, nice to have you on board, do keep posting, keep reading and you will find that with the support you get from this site from loads of wonderful people it really will help to carry you through whatever you have to face.

 

[brit]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Have you considered getting the root canals done by an endodontist with maybe nitrous as it is likely they would do a better job than a general dentist and it wouldn't take them 15 appointments which seems excessive to me.
If you are talking about your front teeth, it is very important to have the best chance of a successful outcome...any other option is inferior to your own teeth.

I think there are some Edmonton dentists in our dentist reviews if you'd like a second opinion

Personally if it were my mouth and my front teeth - I would find a way round the insurance timing issue...you are only 31 - your smile is important and it's a case of a stitch in time.

Oral sedation is more hit and miss than i/v sedation but I don't understand why you would be so afraid of it per se having previously been totally put out (riskier) ....if your fear is very strong it could be a cheap option for you to get through treatment more easily.

 

[Mary]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Hi.
I jus t wanted to say that I am here for you.


I am 30 years old and had all my upper teeth extracted(14) and yes it was the only option for me but if I would have been given a choice(my teeth we're to far gone)I would have chosen the root canals.
I am not saying dentures are bad...its nice to look in the mirror and see teeth and to be able to chew....I would just rather have my na=tural Teeth.

Befor I had my teeth extracted I had rootcanals in the front top ones and the procedure wasen't bad.
maybe there is a way you can figure out the cost.

Good luck with wjat ever you choose.
Your in my thoughts.

 

[scared2bthere]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

HI and Welcome!

I've got the whole insurance doesn't cover enough of the work I need done issue too. Mine only covers 1000.00 a year though and we have one household income so I can't afford to pay for the more expensive work I would have chosen.

I will be getting a partial for my top teeth because I can afford to pay off the extractions @ 135.00 even with the partial costing 1100.00 and not the root canals @ 1700.00 each with crown. I also have quite a few fillings and such that needs done too so the work in total either way isn't cheap.

Have you tried a loan or to see if the Dentist will take payments? That might help you with the cost.

I'm just tired of the pain and want to get my mouth as healthy as I can so I can maintain it at this point. I'm looking foreward to the day I might just go in and need a cleaning.

 

[Kayte]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Hi there,

I just recently had a root canal done and it was absolutely nothing to worry about. I did it with lidocaine (novacaine) only and never felt a thing, it was really easy actually. If you can sit in the chair with the pokey thing in your mouth,then you can make it through a root canal

I had a core buildup of the tooth but it will be a few months before I can get enough money together to pay for the crown(or cap), as my insurance was maxed out with the root canal and the other fillings I also had done at the time.

Do what you can to get your most urgent problems fixed first. Your dentist should be willing to work with you on a plan that will address the problems that need urgent attention and map out the remaining phases of treatment in a manner that will work best for your health and in many cases, your finances.

I still need to have some fillings done and all four of my wisdom teeth removed but my dentist made sure that treatment will take place when my insurance is renewed in January.

Good luck to you and take care!

 

[tanyachicken]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Thanks for all th great replys!!
I never thought of going to an endodontist, never even new the exsited untill now!!
I really really want to keep all my teeth I have now!!
My teeth are part of my apperance I have always had a perfectly strait smile and I feel I am going to loose it all because I wont sit in ythe darn chair!!
Sometimes I see it as if I just get them all pulled I wont have to worry about ever going back!!
But they want to do work on my bootom teeth as well but just 1 or 2>>>
I am still not to sure what to do!!
My dentist and the ladies in the office are great and have a ton of patince with me!!
But I just dont want to get there and be freaked out and get the drilling and neeleds done and them find out they cant save them anyways!! So I sat there for nothing???
THIS REALLY SUCKS!!!

Thanks for all the help!!
If anyone has anymore advice to help me sit in that chair would be great!!!

 

[FinnishGirl]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

It won't be for nothing - you'll see you can do it and worry less in the future.

 

[tanyachicken]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Ok well I made the appointment!!!
I guess thats the first step to going threw with it all???
You guys sure do help!!!
My appt is not untill the 24th!!! So I guess I worry untill then!!
Any tips on how to get threw the root canals??

 

[brit]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Ok well I made the appointment!!!
I guess thats the first step to going threw with it all???
You guys sure do help!!!
My appt is not untill the 24th!!! So I guess I worry untill then!!
Any tips on how to get threw the root canals??

Just relax....

 

[Kayte]

Re: Got to make a choice now help???

Don't worry, you're going to do great!

My tooth that I had the root canal done on was broken and had a large cavity on it. I was convinced that my tooth would break apart during the root canal and I would be forced to have it removed. When I told my dentist this, she laughed and reassured me that wouldn't happen (and she was right).

Seriously, a root canal is nothing to worry about. It was just like having a normal filling done but it just took longer. The worst part is having to keep your mouth open but even that was just a minor inconvenience to me.
I never want to have another one again but not because it caused me any pain or discomfort but because of what they cost.

You're going to be just fine, just relax like Brit said and feel happy and proud that you're on your way to restoring your dental health!

 

[tanyachicken]

Still scared

Well my date to the dentist is getting closer (24) I need to go for those 4 front root canals!!
They are only starting with two of them!!!
I am starting to change my mind about going????
HELP ME I AM FREAKING OUT!!!!

 

[Mary]

Re: Still scared

Try not to worry and please dont "change your mind"
RTC(root canals)really aren't that bad.
out of all the ones I had I never felt any pain during and they we're only a tiny bit sensitive afterwards.
You will do great and when its all over you'll say"wow,that wasen't bad at all"
You can do this.
We are all here for you.

 

[tanyachicken]

Re: Still scared

What happens if I go there and chicken out???
What if I start freaking out and dont sit in the chair!!!
I was nervous just sitting in that chair for him too look!!!

 

[Mary]

Re: Still scared

I think you should take something with you a blanket a picture.something special.
All in all it is your decision whether you go or not but please try to go...the longer you wait the worse things will get....I know the fear keeps us away but My mom allways used to say"to keep the teeth...you have to take care of the teeth"You are so close ...I know that you can do this.

Now if you get there and you just can't do it...then you leave...but try and reschedule so you can give it another try....but please try and go.You will feel so good when its over.

Either way it is your decision but I promise you root canals are a simple procedure...and Tell your dentist what your feeling so he can help put u at ease.
I know that you can do this.
Your in my thoughts and parayers.

 

[dodgem21]

Re: Still scared

Go along for your appointment and you will be so relieved that you went. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it will be. I am sure you will be fine explain your fears to your dentist. They will not do anything you wont let them to. Have you asked what sedation/numbing teqhniques will be offered to you?

 

[mikey]

Re: Still scared

Are you having any sedation for the appointment? If they dont offer any you could call and ask your doctor to prescribe something like valium for the visit.

 

[tanyachicken]

Re: Still scared

I cant have IV sedation because I have high blood pressure!!
They offerd my Ativan but at 250.00 a pill?? My union does not cover the pill and well thats alot of money for 5 visits just for a pill??
I want to sit in the chair for this with out anything I am not a big pill popper!!
I dont like the sensation of feeling high?? So I am scared to take anything like valum???

 

[brit]

Re: Still scared

Just concentrate on natural relaxation techniques...if you are relaxed you can't be anxious at the same time.....agree a stop signal so you feel in control over proceedings and over 5 unsedated visits your fear will hopefully gradually diminish, assuming you are happy with the dentist you have chosen. I agree $250 is rather expensive for a single pill.

 

[dodgem21]

Re: Still scared

can you have novocaine to numb you or gas and air to relax you? the price of that pill would have been enough to make me pass out. like brit has said try natural relaxation methods, as that, with a good dental team providing tlc might make sedation of any kind not needed.