In a couple of months (if I can afford) I'm gonna have 13 teeth extracted. 2 of which will be in the front.
I have severe Dental phobia.
I don't even know how I got through the First X-ray visit and the Consultation a week later.
I hadn't stepped near a dental office in over 10 years...even driving past a dental place I'd get extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I'm not even sure how I got myself to go. I should feel proud of myself...but I don't
My dentist does not do IV sedation, only Oral sedation.
Has anyone had this many teeth removed while only being on a "sleeping pill"?
Also I was told I won't be getting that temporary denture like people who have all of their teeth yanked get...so I will be going 2 months without any chewing teeth and with front teeth gone.
My schedual is as followed.
Day 1..Scaling and Extraction
Day 2 Check up
1 Week later, Suture removal
1 Month later
Molds are taken
Cavities filled
4 Teeth Capped
3-4 weeks later?
Get the parcials and permenet caps put in
A year later
More molds, Better dentures made
When I asked the doctor about being able to pick the tooth and gum colors..he said they do that for me.
Should I trust them to do this right?
Also he just put down "plastic base" on the first set...which is fine..I'll only have them a year maybe.
But the second set he wrote down. "metal base"
Is there any option other than "metal"
Haven't they come out with any flexible stuff yet?
Also I do NOT want visible hooks on my teeth that hold it in like my dad has.
I would REALLY like something called "percision Attachment parcials" Caps are required to get them as there is some Tab/O-ring thing that comes off the cap somehow to hook them...but I see I'm getting 4 Caps...so maybe he can do that?
What is the probablity of the dentist not being trained to do this? I hear it's common parcial thing now.
Also how hard is it to eat with both upper and lower parcials? Will I be able to use the front teeth on it..or will it slide and move around on me?
I just want to know what the limits are to having 2 front denture teeth.(two next to each other)
I'm guessing I won't be able to eat an apple maybe?
I don't care much for apples anyways.
But I'm more concerned that it'll be too hard to eat a cheeseburger or Pizza or a sandwich...how usuable are front Parcial denture teeth?
How well do they match in witht he other front teeth?
I am so terrified of all of this, I refuse to even tell my family about it. I'm keeping it to myself.
I have too many questions to put in this email.
Hopefully people can help me answer them in future emails to come. I really need to talk to people that have gone through this, I'm going it alone and need people to talk to.
I'm also SCARED to death of the sedation pill.
I'm thinking there is no way in heck that I will sleep through any of it. I'm thinking I'll be wide awake but slightly drowsy. Do people REALLY actually sleep through drills and gum surgery, and multiple novicane injections? This seems impossible to me.
Any insight on any of this would be appreciated.
I'm so scared.
First of all, give yourself a big pat on the back for getting into the dentist office and having that consult/xray appt. You most definitely should be proud of yourself! That is a HUGE step, and knowing what you went through just to pick up the phone, I am so very proud of you!
Second...oral sedation.....
I too, had the exact same doubts as you. I posted a while back about how petrified I was of the pill, and how I thought I would be the only person on this earth it didn't work for. When I read your post, I thought it was mine.
That said, try not to worry. I know it's hard, but, honestly, you will come out of your extraction appt. wondering why you were so nervous. Really! The sedation pill (I had triazolam), is awesome! I had my upper teeth extracted on April 22nd, and the lowers done April 29th, both times using sedation. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread
I went into the office, sat in a comfy chair, they hooked me up to monitors, and gave me the pills to take. Within 30 minutes, I was out. I "woke up" at home feeling fantastic. Now, the first time wasn't without some problems...all that happened was that I had gone over 14 hours without food in my tummy and when they gave me the juice to wake me so I could use the restroom, I vomited it all back up...which is why I had the lowers done a week later...my body had had enough that day and I couldn't keep anything down, therefor, they couldn't re-sedate me to get the bottoms done the same day. No big deal...the next appt. I knew what to expect, and I was so much more at ease. I was out of there in less than 3 hours for my lowers. Again, I woke up at home, feeling like the happiest person alive.
With the pill, you will sleep for quite a while after surgery, but, it's the best sleep I've had since I gave birth to my kids! You will be responsive in the chair, although you won't remember hearing anything. If they 'wake' you prior to leaving, you MAY remember some of that, but not much at all.
The second time I had it done, I do remember a needle, but, I can't remember if it hurt...isn't that odd? So, I guess it didn't. I don't think I was completely out before they started, but was out enough that there was no pain. It was wonderful!
If you're worried about it, make sure you tell them you want to be completely out before they do anything to you. If they do sedation, then odds are they know how phobic some can be, and understand how important it is for the patient to be comfortable. Talk to them about your fears...you will feel better after you do.
I would do it again in a heartbeat, and not think twice about it. It truly is a wonderful experience! And, I went about 12 years without seeing a dentist due to my phobia...if I can do it, so can you. I was so full of anxiety like you. I would sweat bullets just thinking about calling the dentist. So, you are not alone. Not by a long shot!
Another thing is, with the sedation, you have to have someone with you after the surgery. Someone that can help you walk and get you from the car to bed without any problems. You need to be watched for a while, and not left alone...even when you finally wake up at home, you should have someone help you if you need to use the restroom, because you will still be under the effects of the sedative and you could lose your balance and fall. So, please have someone with you that you can trust, and someone that's supportive of you. On the way to your appt. you will need someone with whom you can talk to and be "afraid" with...believe me, it makes a world of difference.
My husband was the best! He held my hand the whole way there, and didn't let go of me until they called me back. I couldn't have done it without him by my side.
You will be fine, and you will come back to this board to tell us so!
Please, if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
I'm so very glad to find you,
I'm a total mess here.
The things you said made me feel a lot better.
I think the drug I'm getting might be the same..he said Tri-something or rather.
I was told I'd take on pill before at home, 1 hour before I come in. I was told I would get another one when I get there (maybe he said that because I told him the Halicion I thought I was getting sounded too weak) Maybe if I look out of it, he won't give me a second one..I dunno. He said when I get there I will get a differant pill to stop me from making saliva also.
I really don't want them to wake me up half way through like they did to you. I don't usually pee that much.
When you say they hooked you up to monitors...how was it that you were hooked up? Was it stuff on your wrist?
None of it was Needle type stuff, right?
Did they give you nitrous at all.
I was told he might.
Maybe only if I seem too awake?
Do you remember the thing to keep your mouth open?
I was told it was some rubber thing called a "block"
Do you remember what that is like?
Also did you get a parcial or a full denture plate?
I was told I get no temp denture thing over the stitches like so many other people seem to get.
Seems like I'm the only one going it without something over top.
I'm also worried that the gums will stick together when I close my mouth, and that the suction will loosen the clots out. What do stitches feel like in your mouth anyways? Does your face swell up?
Are the gums hellish looking? I saw one implant picture, and their gums were black from the blood underneath.
I will not be able to eat anything solid for 2 months, as all my chewing teeth and 2 front teeth are being yanked.Did you eat the first 48 hours?
What kinda things did you eat?...I think i'm gonna starve to death. I can't imagine going 2 months without solid food.
All of this is hell, I wish I would of knowen about sedation denistry 10 years ago.
I had tramatic experiances with military dentists growing as a kid. They were mean and insultive
and caused me a great deal of pain, not just once but several times. Once they jabbed me with that needle in the same spot OVER and OVER again..I counted 6 times.
That was just one of the times I went.
I once told them, "I'm REALLY scared of the needle, can't you do something besides the needle?"
Then I looked over at the tank of nitrious..that I knew for FACT they had used it on other people I knew.
And they told me, "yeah we will just do all the work with nothing at all" And because they had put me through so much pain even while on the novicaine...I knew I had to have that needle over not having anything at all. Then they Injected me several times, and did it really fast so that it hurt.
I have since learned that in most places (minus the front and bottom lowers) that if they inject slow, you won't feel that sharp pain that feels like they trying to reach your brain with that needle.
I'm looking forward to being sedated, but worried I'm gonna just be drowsy, but wide awake.
Do you remember your ride home and getting into bed?
I have SO many questions, it helps me gear myself up
to go. I don't like suprizes. It'll be a couple months before I can go.Need to come up with some money first.
I hope one day I will be able to answer questions and help other people out. But for now...lots of anxiety.
I took the pill when I got there, but have heard that alot of people do take it while they are still at home. I guess my dentist just wanted to make sure I was safe and sound in the chair before I was sedated.
Yes, I was hooked up to a pulse-oximeter, and a blood pressure machine. Nothing more. No needles. I did have nitrous the first time which helped me out a great deal. I was shaking like a leaf the first time I did it, so they didn't even have to ask me. They were all so nice, and even took my shoes off for me so I could be as comfortable as possible. The nitrous wasn't given the second time...I was much more relaxed and actually went in there with a smile on my face if you can believe that.
I don't remember how they kept my mouth open, but was told they used a dental dam and really lubed my lips with vaseline so as not to chap or crack holding my mouth open for so long. However they did it, I didn't have any sores on my lips or corners of my mouth, nor did my mouth hurt at all from being open for hours.
I got a full denture, which I have heard is much harder to get used to than a partial. Can't compare the two though, cuz I went from all natural teeth to dentures in 2 weeks. You do have to be aware of the clots in your mouth though, and be very careful not to suck on anything because you could dislodge the clot and get dry socket, which I have heard is extremely painful. It tends to happen anywhere between 3-5 days after surgery and the pain is like nothing else, from what I've read. So, be careful until you know for sure you are past that point of being able to dislodge the clots. I don't think you have to worry about your gums sticking together though. They will probably be far enough apart that you won't even be able to touch them together. That's how mine are now when I don't have my teeth in. I couldn't touch my top and bottom gums together if I wanted to.
The stitches I had were dissolvable. They lasted about 7 days, give or take a day or two, and they did look quite ugly. Right before they started to dissolve or fall out on their own, they got really annoying and looked really long. The dentist said it was because my gums were healing/shrinking, and they were getting loose. But, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Just a tad unsightly for a while. I did have my teeth to cover them, but when I took them out at night, it was pretty disturbing the first time I saw them. I don't want to worry you, but if you have a weak stomach, it's not the prettiest sight in the world. My gums weren't as ugly as the stitches. They looked pretty swelled, but I expected that. My face didn't swell at all, except in one spot where they had a hard time with one tooth that broke 3 times while being extracted. That spot is still tender today, but it has gotten alot better. The swelling was about the size of a golf ball and gradually went down over the course of about 5 days. My face is no longer swelled and my gums are healing nicely. The one spot still looks worse than the others, but it has made great progress over the last 3 weeks. If you don't have any "traumatic" extractions, your gums should just look swelled and red for a while, and they will be tender. A salt-water rinse does wonders for the tenderness and any irritation, plus it cleans your mouth of old blood that may be hanging around in there. I used the rinse 3 times a day for the first week. It felt really good on my gums.
The first 48 hours I was told to eat only ice cream and cold things. I too, thought I would starve. It was nice to eat ice cream without problems again, but, I so wanted to eat real food. I had my teeth, so by the end of the first week, I was eating solid food cut up really small. With you not having many teeth, you may have to experiement a bit to see what you can handle after the first 48 hours. Cottage cheese was another thing I lived on. Along with pudding and jello. I got real sick of it all, real quick. I also ate alot of mashed potatoes. Man did that taste good!!! Just take it slow the first couple of days, and indulge with the ice cream and pudding, ect. Then slowly add different things as you are comfortable with them. You will adjust, it just takes time.
I am SOOOO sorry you had such horrific experiences with your dentists. There's no excuse for any of it, and no reason for it either. I would be willing to bet that the dentist you have now is much more compassionate than your previous ones, and that is a BIG factor in your comfort level as well.
I don't remember my ride home at all. My husband said I talked to him, but was pretty out of it. Mostly yes and no answers. I don't remember him carrying me to bed either, but he didn't want me to walk, so he picked me up and carried me like a true gentleman. I don't remember anything but vomiting that one time, and that was because (or so I'm told) it was a traumatic thing (it usually is for anyone--no one likes being sick). Other than that, I remember absolutely nothing. You most likely won't either. I swear by sedation! It was my best friend those two days of surgery. My son is actually the next in our family to have it done...he's getting two root canals done and is just as scared as I am of dentists...for good reason. The last dentist he went to screamed at him for having cavities and actually told him getting a tooth pulled or a shot didn't hurt, it was ALL in his head. It took every bit of strength I had in me not to knock this dentist out of his chair and deck him square in the mouth. Needless to say, we haven't been back there! What a creep!
I know how scared you are....but please, please try not to worry so much. You WILL be fine! You will be amazed how easy was. And no, you won't just lay there in la-la land, knowing what they are doing....you won't feel a thing! It's amazing how it works. And if you're like me, the next time you go back there, you will find yourself happy to be there, and really surprised that you are so willing to walk through those doors again. Sedation gave me the ability to look at the dentist in a whole new light. I am no longer afraid. Just one visit did that for me. After 10+ years....I'd say that's a tall order to fill, but I wasn't disappointed! Far from it.
You will do great! I just know it!
All my best....
Let me start off by saying, having you to talk to is a God send. I guess I'm gonna be on this board for quite awhile. It'll prolly be a couple months before I have my surgery. So hopefully you'll be able to put up with me. I'm a question machine.
My doctor said he's gonna use the "block" to keep my mouth open...he did say "block" was a bad word for it though. I'm kinda hoping it's not the rubber dam frame thing like you had. That thing scares me...I did ask him if I'd need a rubber dam for any of my work and he said he might need to on the caps he's gonna do.
I told him I hope not because the worst traumatic expericance was with the rubber damn.
When they fill a cavity or what not, they cut a hole in the rubber part for your teeth to stick through, that they are gonna work on. I guess it's supposed to be nicer for some people...that way, bits of stuff don't go in the back of your mouth or get swallowed. I think it requires little or no suction and irrigation on their part as well.
Anyhow, for some reason they decided to put some metal clamp on the teeth. It's metal and round and fits over the tooth and has some way of tightening that thing over the tooth like a vice.
Problem is...I have a really small jaw (small head too)
And my teeth were always super close together. So close that I couldn't use standard dental floss..it was just too thick to get in there. So they had to REALLY jam that clamp in there. To tell you the truth I have NO idea how they got it in there. Needless to say it hurt like all heck. The pressure was intense..felt like the teeth around it were gonna shatter into pieces. To make it worse they had it down into my gum and as they kept tightening this thing it dug deeper and deeper into my gum. I could feel it too..they did not given me any injections for this part. I also felt the pain of the gums for a week after. Anyhow, I'm NOT sure if they always have to use that clamp thing with the rubber dam or not, I've had the clamp every time though. There is nothing in the world I hate more than that clamp..I rather endure a mouth full of shots than that thing.
I think all of my extractions..with the exception of one (maybe) are gonna be traumtic. Most of the teeth are broken off at gum level. I have a severe phobia and had an Ex-husband who refused to take me to the dentist...even though I'd beg in pain. He just said it's too expensive. He said "I'll pull it out for you,
but your not going to the dentist because it costs too much.Now I've learned that The doc could of perscribed me some pain killers for that at the very least.My Ex is such a jerk, I was afraid to get away from him. (Long story)
I'm trying to get back on the road to feeling better about myself.I need to get the dental work done. It's unfortunate It's gonna cause me lots and lots of pain.
I just want to smile and laugh again so i can be social like I used to be.I think If I can conqure this, I will be able to conqure most anything as far as personal hurdles go. It's just a very LONG hurdle.
I was told it'd be a year before I get the good dentures. (non plastic) Then who knows how long it'll take to get used to those...sigh.
I'm guessing my sedation medicine is the same as yours...how many medications can possibly start with "tri-something" for sedation denistry? I was told I might get a second pill. Did you just have one or two?Maybe two is too many? I think I weigh around 150? (too afraid to look at the scale) My doctor told me that they can wake me up by giving me some juice. Sounds like it didn't wake you up much.
Did they give you drugs for the pain? I was told i'd get something to "manage" the pain. I'm really worried about that. Motrin will "manage" the pain and I have plenty of that now. I'm hoping for codine or something like it. How well did pain killers work on you?
I'm a bit afraid of drinking milk products the first few days. I'm kinda afraid it'll cause an infection from the bacteria that can grow in milk. I'm not going to have anything covering the stitches at all. I don't think I'm gonna look in my mouth at all afterwards, not till the stitches are out anyways.
Speaking of stitches, I'm not getting the ones that dissolve. My dentist said he doesn't like using those.
He didn't say why.
I was also wondering...how long do you have holes in your gums with clots in them? I was thinking that if they are sewing the gums together, that they'd grow together with the stitches and there wouldn't be a hole.I've read 1-3 months. I can't imagine not having something over the gums to keep the clots in for THAT long. I don't understand why they just wouldn't leave the stitches in till the hole sealed shut. Isn't that the point of stitches? I'm very confused.
Anyways, thank you for talking to me and answering my questions. I hope I'm not bugging you too much.
Parcials, need support and questions answered 
I think our names say it all!!!
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