Breaking news: I’m going to the dentist tomorrow

If it is not a tooth that is visible, you really don't have to replace it. They'll tell you your teeth will shift and you'll get a third eye if you don't get an implant, but they really just need to send a kid to college. I had one removed for the very same reason. The removal wasn't so bad. I never replaced it. It has been 10 years and nothing bad has happened. The front tooth, however, damaged years ago in a bicycle accident, has been an expensive pain in the ass.

Take care of your teeth and gums, it is really worth it financially and emotionally.

DataLounge 2024: The Road to Dogpatch

I second r1.

I had two baby molars that never fell out because I didn't have adult teeth to replace them. (It's a not uncommon genital condition.) Anyway, around 25, one of the baby molars started to decay and they had to pull it. Ditto the other molar when I hit 30. I'm 41 now, never got implants and my teeth never shifted.

[quote] The front tooth, however, damaged years ago in a bicycle accident, has been an expensive pain in the ass.

R1, that’s very similar to my own case. My tooth was damaged around 30 years ago in a stupid childhood accident, and repaired fairly effectively, but I fear it is too far gone now.

Dental trauma is a real thing -- as a therapist, I run into surprisingly frequently. Whether it's because of a terrible childhood experience, or in some cases, sexual abuse by the dentist, there are multitudes of people who are scared to death of the dentist.

Can I have your stuff, OP?

You will be fine OP. I've had so much dental work done in the last ten years it's now a breeze. Root canals, laminates, implant, fillings, gum surgery, etc. But I have a really good dentist. Never really felt a thing. The worst part was the shits I got from the antibiotics with the implant. Also he found ways to make my insurance pick it all up. Again, you will be fine and feel so much better when it's all done. An implant is no big deal just time consuming and takes several visits.

OP, as Marcus Aurelius said, things are worse in our mind then they are in reality, or something like that. The dentist is not fun and never will be, but it is really not that bad. Talk to your dentist and everyone in the office about your emotional discomfort with the dental experience. They've heard it and seen it a thousands time before. They'll help you through it. If I'm going to have a painful procedure (I haven't in a long time), I take Motrin 600 mg before. I tell the Dentist this just so he knows. It never changes things. If you are anxious, ask if you can get nitrous oxide. I love that shit but haven't asked for it in years.

You have more control over what happens than your realize.

Modern dentistry is painless, if inconvenient. Get everything fixed NOW so you don’t regret it THEN.

My experience with the dentist is that the lead-up is 1000x more stressful than the actual appointment. Just do it, OP

[quote] If you are anxious, ask if you can get nitrous oxide. I love that shit but haven't asked for it in years.

Mostly now use IV sedation. I love NO and can't find my dentist hasn't in years.

[quote]I had two baby molars that never fell out because I didn't have adult teeth to replace them. (It's a not uncommon genital condition.)

Your genitalia have teeth?

Op, I had not gone to the dentist in 12 years, and went for the first time since 2010 in 2022. It took three visits to scrape all the plaque off my teeth, and they discovered a filling had fallen out, and also that a tooth had split vertically and had to be removed and replaced (that was why I had come in finally). But I was surprised to see I had no new cavities, nor have I had any since that visit. (Though i have to go back in December to have another filling replaced that has aged and fallen out.)

I still do not enjoy going to the dentist, but I've been back since and I've been glad to be going again regularly. It's not very painful, actually. You'll be glad you went.

I do recommend telling them when you get there you get nervous about the prospect of pain--that usually helps them know to treat you very kindly throughout the visit.

R11, I've never heard of a dentist who did IV sedation. What is the sedative? Is it for pain relief, anxiety or both? In some states, like NY, if conscious sedation is done the patient has to have someone take them home. I've never heard this with a dentist. Colonoscopy, cataract surgery, yes.

Loved nitrous oxide. A previous dentist of mine would administer it even for cleaning. I suspected she was tippling with it herself bc she'd leave me hooked up and disappear for ages, without even another patient in the office.

Then her practice closed without warning one year. Odd.

Dentists don’t seem to use it anymore, unfortunately.

Oh, dear, myself r12

It's too bad it's tomorrow, otherwise I'd recommend getting a prescription for propranolol (20mg), it would definitely help you out.

One thing that helps is wearing the lead bib they use for XRays throughout the whole procedure, as the pressure helps keep you calm

Take a Xanax and quit rubbing your pussy.

Most teeth (or lack thereof) are visible when you laugh.

I haven’t laughed in years.

Tell them you have dental anxiety, they will understand OP.

Take your earbuds or earphones and listen to relaxing music for the entirety of the procedure; don't bother trying to make inane small talk with the providers. You won't be/feel obligated to, once you've told them you have dental anxiety.

If you think it might help, take one of those fidget gadgets or stress squeezers that are everywhere in with with as well.

You will do fine if you distract yourself. Good luck, OP!

Nitrous oxide, properly administered, will make you simply not care about all the things you listed. And no need to have someone drive you: it wears off very quickly and you're clear before you leave the office. It will be an additional expense, but worth it. I ask for it mainly because I am claustrophobic, and having several people around me or bending over me for a lengthy time really starts to freak me out.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. The appointment is in 2 hours and 19 minutes time.

op - check back and let up know how everything goes.

You need a new dentist

Thanks r24. I’m back home now. The broken tooth can’t be saved, so I now have to decide on whether I want a denture, bridge or implant. I also need a wisdom tooth out.

I have another appointment in 2 weeks time to make a plan of action. The long interval between appointments alway annoys me. - I just want all over with!

I medicate before going. I had a dentist commit insurance fraud by filling non-cavities. Have had a great deal of work (bridge removal and crown removal are the scariest bc it's like your mouth is a construction site.

Crown lengthening could be a viable option depending on your gums, but you should talk to your dr about getting a PRN of an anti-anxietal, in my case benzos, but it's better for everyone involved if Im medicated bc an anxiety attack isn't ideal getting dental work done. I also wear headphones and use whatever ability I have to isolate my senses, withdraw and focus on my breath. Every little bit of help you can utilize, you should, without embarrassment.

Many people need a bit of help when in the dentists chair, not something you should unduly suffer during dental/perio/endodontists work.

R27 again, just a day late and a dollar short...if you can afford the implant, go that route. Bridgework can end up taking the anchor tooth down with it.

Yes, r27, I’m reluctant to get a bridge. I’m mortified at the thought of a denture, but I may settle for that at first, and then consider an implant if I hate it.

R29 think of it as a partial, one tooth is not going to be cumbersome, and it can buy you time to save for an implant. The bridge is trickier, if one of the teeth that's securing it develops a cavity, it all has to be broken apart, then you get to replace the crowns, hopefully, Assuming the cavity doesn't render the tooth unsalvagable, and at that cost an implant is better. Not to mention having that construction work done to remove- you're lucky if you get 10 yrs out of a bridge too bc of receding gum lines.

Good luck, and seriously see if you can get ativan for these appointments. (Funny, as I saw mine today too, more complications with my bridge and tunnel work).

I can’t recommend nitrous oxide highly enough, OP. Dentists scare the living hell out of me but if I ask for it, they’ll use it.

The technicians have seemed a little baffled when I ask for it to get through routine cleanings but I don’t care. It works.

Honestly, some of you sound like pathetic creatures.

Tell the truth, R32

[quote] I had a dentist commit insurance fraud by filling non-cavities

Wait…what?

Is your Dentist hot?

Will he take you hard in the dentist chair?