Upcoming extractions and partial denture fears

[Sparky1987]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and have been browsing a lot over the last few weeks but my appointment is imminent and I am terrified.

Long story short, after having a very traumatic childhood, I fell into what I now know to be a huge depression from when I was about 13. I neglected myself, survived on energy drinks and sugar and it wasn’t until I was 30 that I pulled myself together and finally got some help.

I’m now in the best place of my life and am generally happy, bar suffering with terrible anxiety. To be fair I’m mostly on top of that and it’s only when life decides to give me lemons that I struggle with it.

Due to neglecting myself so severely when I was younger, I needed 3 of my front teeth crowned at age 18, then the remaining front tooth at 25. I’m now 38 and after suffering terrible tooth pain for some years, finally plucked up the courage to go to the dentist and get it all sorted.

My dentist is fantastic and I trust him implicitly - it’s the same dentist who did my crowns when I was younger and he is just wonderful.

He basically said that 7 of my top teeth are not salvageable - all of my left side bar the last molar and the front tooth (the last one to be crowned) and my other front tooth and the one next to it urgently need extracting.

I’m having sedation for the extractions and he said I’ll ‘wake up’ with the immediate denture in. He’s already booked me in for checks for the following two days and Monday - I’m having it done this Wednesday.

I’m terrified as I’ve read absolute horror stories about people having a canine and fronts extracted. I’m scared of how much pain I’ll be in after - despite the fact I’ve been living in so much pain for years.

Mostly I’m terrified about how I’ll feel mentally after. I HATE my teeth, but the thought of having only one front tooth, not being able to speak or eat properly and questions over whether I’ll ever get used to having something in my mouth just to function like a normal human being are keeping me awake at night. I don’t want to live in permanent pain but I am so scared of what the future holds. I’m 38, I feel like I’m 98 and I’m so ashamed of my younger self for neglecting me and not having the courage or knowledge to get on top of my health sooner.

Has anyone been through similar? Any positive stories for me? I would hugely appreciate it.

Thank you so much for reading.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi, This is certainly not an easy thing to do, espeically at the first month, until you get used to the denture. During that time it helps a lot to know your dentist will be avaible to see and help you if needed (adjusting the denture, givning medication and more). Glad to read you have a dentist you like, use it.