Fear of Dentists and a BIG cavity

meoklmrk91

So I haven't been to a Dentist in about 9-10 yrs, when I was in primary school and I am terrified to go, I have a big cavity at the back of my top right incisor and I am afraid that If I go then it won't be salvageable and the Dentist will want to pull it out. But it's one of my front teeth, I can't loose it. I have very little sensitivity with it, only if something gets stuck in there or the very odd time when it's cold out. Any advice, I know I have to go, I am just terrified.

Oral Surgeon

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

So I haven't been to a Dentist in about 9-10 yrs, when I was in primary school and I am terrified to go, I have a big cavity at the back of my top right incisor and I am afraid that If I go then it won't be salvageable and the Dentist will want to pull it out. But it's one of my front teeth, I can't loose it. I have very little sensitivity with it, only if something gets stuck in there or the very odd time when it's cold out. Any advice, I know I have to go, I am just terrified.

You know the answer yourself op....
Best to make an appointment for an examination, x-rays, cleaning etc. The discuss your options... You may be looking at a filling, a root canal, a crown or less likely- an extraction. No-one is going to take out your tooth without your consent. Best to first go and find out what your options are.

All the best,
OS

meoklmrk91

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

You know the answer yourself op....
Best to make an appointment for an examination, x-rays, cleaning etc. The discuss your options... You may be looking at a filling, a root canal, a crown or less likely- an extraction. No-one is going to take out your tooth without your consent. Best to first go and find out what your options are.

All the best,
OS

Okay, I will make an appointment on Friday to see the Dentist and see what my options are, I am on a medical card (student) and I know that it doesn't cover a lot when it comes to dental care. I think it's like two fillings a year and unlimited extractions, so hopefully I will be covered and won't have to go near my savings. Thanks for your advice, it puts me a little more at ease.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

There is no need to loose any tooth you don't want to, may just need a simple filling. Best break the cycle of not going to the dentist now before you end up with no teeth at all.

Bearcat

a student looking down the barrel of gun to ending up with falsies.

See a dentist........theres is no pain involved except a bit of a sting in the wallet. Your teeth are an investment, you gotta look after them.

Reminds me years ago at the races some auld fella beside me in the gents having a good cough and his dentures flew out into the urinal. He picked them up, washed them under the tap and off he went, not a worry in the world to his next pint. Point is avoid dentures if at all possible.

Surfing_Xboxer

Dont mind the scare stories !!! fact is , your health is your wealth

I had a major FEAR of the dentist up till this year

find a considerate dentist and then invest in your health..
you will do / be fine......

alie

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

So I haven't been to a Dentist in about 9-10 yrs, when I was in primary school and I am terrified to go, I have a big cavity at the back of my top right incisor and I am afraid that If I go then it won't be salvageable and the Dentist will want to pull it out. But it's one of my front teeth, I can't loose it. I have very little sensitivity with it, only if something gets stuck in there or the very odd time when it's cold out. Any advice, I know I have to go, I am just terrified.

<snip> in town is very good . They are great with terrified patients, (me) . I left mine too late and got an abcess, it was awful. I had to have the tooth removed, my own fault for being a wuss.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

alie wrote: »

***no names*** in town is very good . They are great with terrified patients, (me) . I left mine too late and got an abcess, it was awful. I had to have the tooth removed, my own fault for being a wuss.

alie no names please, also no point in recommending chains as there is little chance of seeing the same dentist, even if you could remember their name

meoklmrk91

Thanks all, I am ringing a dentist tomorrow to make an appointment for Friday when I am off, hopefully the news won't be too bad, fingers crossed anyway's. I have asked around and one Dentist keeps coming up as being very good and considerate of nervous patients, I even asked a guy who had terrible trouble with his teeth and his worst fear used to be Dentists, not any more since he went to them.

Bearcat

i had a horrible childhood with butchers as against todays world of good pro dentists. Was held down being gassed with anesthetic in James st in the 70's prior to me getting my canines out....horrific stuff.....came out of theatre and barfed a tummy of blood up and they screamed at me.....fughers.....frightened the wits out of me for years......used to be utterly petrified going for dental work thereafter. I couldnt go into a dry laundry for years after as the smell of the gas was the same as the stuff they gassed me in James St.

Now in my mid forties, I needed root canals, deep fillings, crowns etc.....i bit the bullet, explained my woes and fears to a real pro lady dentist last march.....hours and bloody hours of laying vertical in a dentists chai.....now my teeth are perfect again. Was a costly experience but hey presto Im done. All I can say is I never felt any pain......yeah its uncomfy some of the work and my jaw was really sore on one mission due my mouth being open so long......thats the penance I paid for staying away from a dentist over a protracted period. My treatment is done and I have no fear of returning to my lady in Jan for a check up.

just do it......you will be gob smacked (sorry re pun) but dental methods etc today are just light years away from where it was......a lot of people fear the dreaded needle......you dont even feel it now.

besta luck.....and your dentist will probably get you to see a hygenist to clean your knashers.

And finally you have the pro's on here to appease you.

dinneenp

9 or 10 years!
You'll have to get a LOT of work done I'd imagine- fillings etc.

Did a dentist beat you up or steal your boy/girlfriend when you were younger or something?

helimachoptor

dinneenp wrote: »

9 or 10 years!
You'll have to get a LOT of work done I'd imagine- fillings etc.

Did a dentist beat you up or steal your boy/girlfriend when you were younger or something?

Dinneep the second part is not helpful.

cassi

dinneenp wrote: »

9 or 10 years!
You'll have to get a LOT of work done I'd imagine- fillings etc.

Did a dentist beat you up or steal your boy/girlfriend when you were younger or something?

None of this is helpful, it must be nice to have no fears what so ever!

O.P I was in your shoes about three weeks ago, when I finally made an appointment. Like you it has been bout 10 years and I had been left terrified after a bad experience.

I needed a cleaning and 6 fillings. The dentist said he wouldnt pull teeth if they were salvable. So far Iv the cleaning done and two of the fillings im getting two more done on thursday. Im getting white filling on the bottom teeth so they look natural.

The dentist was lovely and didnt lecture at all, he told me after getting the work done with good care and check ups I should have all my teeth for the rest of my life which was great to hear!

I no longer feel nervous about it and to be honest I felt nothing getting the fillings done! I actually said to the dentist that I dont know why I was so afraid all these years and he said its common and that dentistry has come on so much in recent years.

You wont regret going! I found the phobia thread very helpful reading before my first appointment! Good luck OP

Surfing_Xboxer

well done Cassi

dinneenp

nothing wrong with a bit of humour I thought.

He knows he has to go. The longer he puts it off the worse it'll get and probably the more work needed to get done.

If the tooth needs to be taken out it needs to be taken out. probably doesn't though. Only 1 way to find out.

I was being honest in saying he'll probably need a lot of work, may as well know that now rather than get a big shock when he's sitting in the chair with mouth wide open.

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself" is the phrase that applies here. You get an injection and after that you're numb so dont' feel a thing. people feel nervous and don't relax. could always ask could you bring in music and have music in one ear so you won't being concentrating on what's happening in your mouth.

cassi

dinneenp wrote: »

nothing wrong with a bit of humour I thought.

He knows he has to go. The longer he puts it off the worse it'll get and probably the more work needed to get done.

If the tooth needs to be taken out it needs to be taken out. probably doesn't though. Only 1 way to find out.

I was being honest in saying he'll probably need a lot of work, may as well know that now rather than get a big shock when he's sitting in the chair with mouth wide open.

No problem with humour but when someone is nervous it just doesn't help. The OP is making an appointment they said this a few posts back. As for the underlined part, he doesn't need to be diagnosed on the internet, no one will know until the dentist is seen. If work is needed then its needed and theres always the possibility that it wont be that bad.

I understand you mean well but believe me, as someone who felt the same way the OP felt only weeks ago, what your wrote wont help.

As for the music, Ive heard alot of people talk about bringing music in, it could be a help.

Bearcat

He just has to get on with it. There's no pain......yeah you'll feel that 2nd course drill sensation and the smell of that fuji 9 stuff...... I nearly was high on the stuff:D

To the OP, stop arsin around see your dentist and get on with it otherwise you'll be that statistic dropping your falsies in the loo.

meoklmrk91

Okay everyone, firstly I am a she:D

Secondly the appointment has been made for Friday and I am going. I have taken pretty good care of my teeth, brushing, flossing, mouthwash the whole lot throughout the years and apart from the cavity of which there is only one my teeth are in pretty good shape, never have pain even with said cavity except for some light sensitivity. I am sure that I will have to have a number of appointments to rectify this but hopefully once it's over and done with I will be fine and my fear will be lessened to the point where I will happily go along to check-ups to make sure this doesn't happen again. Thanks for the advice.

cassi

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Okay everyone, firstly I am a she:D

Secondly the appointment has been made for Friday and I am going. I have taken pretty good care of my teeth, brushing, flossing, mouthwash the whole lot throughout the years and apart from the cavity of which there is only one my teeth are in pretty good shape, never have pain even with said cavity except for some light sensitivity. I am sure that I will have to have a number of appointments to rectify this but hopefully once it's over and done with I will be fine and my fear will be lessened to the point where I will happily go along to check-ups to make sure this doesn't happen again. Thanks for the advice.

Best of luck Op, let us know how you get on please!

meoklmrk91

cassi wrote: »

Best of luck Op, let us know how you get on please!

Thanks, will do:)

Bearcat

Sorry Meo re the gender thing......besta luck and do report back.....piece a cake.

Saaron

I don't know if this is too late but I know of a dentist in Dublin that does work for patients that are very nervous. I think he organises to have an appointment beforehand to meet you and talk to you about treatment and methods that may work to reduce your anxiety before having your dental work done.

Just read that you've made an appointment, good luck

audman

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Okay everyone, firstly I am a she:D

Secondly the appointment has been made for Friday and I am going. I have taken pretty good care of my teeth, brushing, flossing, mouthwash the whole lot throughout the years and apart from the cavity of which there is only one my teeth are in pretty good shape, never have pain even with said cavity except for some light sensitivity. I am sure that I will have to have a number of appointments to rectify this but hopefully once it's over and done with I will be fine and my fear will be lessened to the point where I will happily go along to check-ups to make sure this doesn't happen again. Thanks for the advice.

best of luck with your appointment.I've recently started major dental work ie filling s root canals and bridges.its honestly not like it was years ago.i had two filling s and the first part of a root canal done a few days ago and i can honestly say i never felt a bit.no pain at all.

meoklmrk91

Hello all,

Had completely forgotten about this thread and said I would update you all on what happened. Soooo, this is going to sound like a cop out but I ended up getting a bad flu the day before, my appointment, runny nose + coughing + dental = bad times, or atleast I would think. So I cancelled my appointment and rescheduled for this Friday. Will let you all know how I get on.

Bearcat

We believe you!, you have to tell us how you get on....:)

Saaron

At least you rescheduled

meoklmrk91

Yup I will post on Friday when I get home.

hardybuck

I've also bitten the bullet (dental pun?) and booked an appointment for this Thursday following probably 10 or 11 years since my last dental visit. Feels a bit like going to confession!

I had braces for years and got a very good job done. However, following getting them off I never wanted to see a dentist's chair again! I kept putting going on the back burner, but have summoned the courage following quite a lot of nagging from those close to me.

One of my excuses was that "but I don't feel any pain in my teeth". I had one tiny filling when I was about 12. Obviously I know this is a rubbish approach to oral health. I'm not sure whether to expect couple of fillings or about 5 root canals and crowns.

Should I be expecting the worst!? I keep pulling the calculator out, feel like I should be setting a couple of grand aside!

Bearcat

Hardy, the only pain you'll feel is your wallet but back to my old mantra it's that or dropping your falsies in the loo or popping them in a glass beside your bed as you nod off......no thanks. Get those knashers sorted.

hardybuck

Faced my fear. Overall not nearly as bad as I expected. 4 very small fillings and some cleaning. Should be done in 2-3 sessions. My biggest dread was going in there and getting the bad news I think.

Every 6 months for me from now on! Best of luck to the anyone else who has been in a similar position and is reading this.

meoklmrk91

Its bad news guys, the tooth needs extraction, and I have 11 other fillings to get. I'm devastated and furious with myself.

Oral Surgeon

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Its bad news guys, the tooth needs extraction, and I have 11 other fillings to get. I'm devastated and furious with myself.

Not great OP but it could be one filling and 11 extractions... Don't be put off, get your treatment in stages but most importantly you need to address the cause of this need for treatment... there must be some regular sugar in your diet that is causing all this. Even if you got the best fillings in the world, if you continue with the same diet- you will get decay around the fillings too....

Good luck,
OS

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Remember you can always replace the teeth that need to be removed once your decay issues are sorted.

meoklmrk91

I got one of the fillings today and have made an appointment for next week for another.

The issue with the extraction is its my front right incisor, so I will be extremely self conscious about it. And replacment is very expensive unless I get dentures which at 20 I really don't want. As a student I really don't know what to do.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Ask about a temporary resin bonded bridge....will buy you some time and is not a nasty denture.

meoklmrk91

Bo Steep Billiards wrote: »

Ask about a temporary resin bonded bridge....will buy you some time and is not a nasty denture.

We did talk about a bridge, I think it will cost around €800 where as the implant will cost around €1500, I could probably get the €800 together though I have some savings but I am waiting for my college grant to come through. Would the social welfare be anyway inclined to help me out?

Also how long could I expect a bridge to last?

Shhh

Hello All,

I have lurked here for a while now.. I've pm'd a couple of you for advice / recommendations which you have kindly supplied. I am delighted to announce I have made my first dentist appointment in probably 13 years for tomorrow at 8am. I have a strong suspicion I will be getting to know my dentist very very well and will probably be paying for his next car!

Thanks Bearcat for your note and encouragement, thanks Saaron for the recommendations!

Wish me luck!

Shhh......

apologies i should have started a new thread rather than hijacking this one.. mea culpa..

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Good on you Shhh, overcoming fears is not easy but is rewarding.

Bearcat

Shhh, you have to report back. I think dentists today are way more sympathetic now to patients.

Besta luck & merry Xmas......you 'll be grand.

meoklmrk91

Hi,

OP here just thought I would update the thread, I went to another dentist for a second opinion as I have been in severe pain with the tooth the last detist filled. We are concentrating on the one I am in pain with for now, looking at a root canal. He said my teeth are actually fine apart from the one with cavity. A couple of fillings and I should be fine.

I am looking at a possible root canal for the filled one and the one with the cavity, he wants to try filling and see how it goes. At the most he said it will have to crowned. I very happy, anyway the moral of the story is get a second opinion!

Oral Surgeon

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Hi,

OP here just thought I would update the thread, I went to another dentist for a second opinion as I have been in severe pain with the tooth the last detist filled. We are concentrating on the one I am in pain with for now, looking at a root canal. He said my teeth are actually fine apart from the one with cavity. A couple of fillings and I should be fine.

I am looking at a possible root canal for the filled one and the one with the cavity, he wants to try filling and see how it goes. At the most he said it will have to crowned. I very happy, anyway the moral of the story is get a second opinion!

Or a third opinion??
What makes you think that the second opinion was more accurate than the first?

meoklmrk91

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Hi,

OP here just thought I would update the thread, I went to another dentist for a second opinion as I have been in severe pain with the tooth the last detist filled. We are concentrating on the one I am in pain with for now, looking at a root canal. He said my teeth are actually fine apart from the one with cavity. A couple of fillings and I should be fine.

I am looking at a possible root canal for the filled one and the one with the cavity, he wants to try filling and see how it goes. At the most he said it will have to crowned. I very happy, anyway the moral of the story is get a second opinion!

Or a third opinion??
What makes you think that the second opinion was more accurate than the first?

Well I wasn't very happy with the first dentis, he literally just sat there totting up how much everything would cost, he wasn't interested in answering any of my questions, wasn't willing to look at other options, just had a treatment plan in his head and that was that, yet he wouldn't explain why other treatment plans wouldn't be suitable.

This fella spent a good bit of time with me even though it was for an emergency appointment. He answered all my questions.

Oral Surgeon

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Hi,

OP here just thought I would update the thread, I went to another dentist for a second opinion as I have been in severe pain with the tooth the last detist filled. We are concentrating on the one I am in pain with for now, looking at a root canal. He said my teeth are actually fine apart from the one with cavity. A couple of fillings and I should be fine.

I am looking at a possible root canal for the filled one and the one with the cavity, he wants to try filling and see how it goes. At the most he said it will have to crowned. I very happy, anyway the moral of the story is get a second opinion!

Or a third opinion??
What makes you think that the second opinion was more accurate than the first?

Well I wasn't very happy with the first dentis, he literally just sat there totting up how much everything would cost, he wasn't interested in answering any of my questions, wasn't willing to look at other options, just had a treatment plan in his head and that was that, yet he wouldn't explain why other treatment plans wouldn't be suitable.

This fella spent a good bit of time with me even though it was for an emergency appointment. He answered all my questions.

Grand but just be careful that you don't spend all your money on one tooth while other problems go untreated...

meoklmrk91

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Hi,

OP here just thought I would update the thread, I went to another dentist for a second opinion as I have been in severe pain with the tooth the last detist filled. We are concentrating on the one I am in pain with for now, looking at a root canal. He said my teeth are actually fine apart from the one with cavity. A couple of fillings and I should be fine.

I am looking at a possible root canal for the filled one and the one with the cavity, he wants to try filling and see how it goes. At the most he said it will have to crowned. I very happy, anyway the moral of the story is get a second opinion!

Or a third opinion??
What makes you think that the second opinion was more accurate than the first?

Well I wasn't very happy with the first dentis, he literally just sat there totting up how much everything would cost, he wasn't interested in answering any of my questions, wasn't willing to look at other options, just had a treatment plan in his head and that was that, yet he wouldn't explain why other treatment plans wouldn't be suitable.

This fella spent a good bit of time with me even though it was for an emergency appointment. He answered all my questions.

Grand but just be careful that you don't spend all your money on one tooth while other problems go untreated...

Thank you for the advice. I know my dental issues are my own fault, I have always had good hygiene but of course that alone will not stop issues from cropping up. I hadnt been to a dentist in 10 years when I first posted, now I have been a number of times In 1 year. I will be getting all of my issues fixed and plan on getting 6 monthly check ups done once all of my issues have been sorted. I will never allow a phobia to rule over my practical thinking again.