A
female
age
41-50,
*arturallycurlyhair
writes:This is going to be a very hard night for me. I have always been obsessed, literally obsessed with my teeth. Yet, cursed with bad genetics, so despite my taking care of my teeth I have had fillings and veneers since I was a teen... even earlier. I have just turend 36. My smile looks great and I have worked hard and suffered for it my whole life. Today I go to the dentists and find out I have an abscess and he told him (I trust him completely, I've been his patient for ages and we are in great terms) he's gonna have to pull a tooth out. Pull a tooth out!!!!!! And I'm gonna have to get an implant (you know, with the screw screwed to to the jaw bone). I couldn't believe it and I started crying and haven't stopped since. It's going to be a shock seeing my face without a teeth, feel him pull it out... I will have a nervous breakdown for sure... and it's gonna be months of suffering and visits to the dentists and pain and anxiety before I get my false tooth. A false tooth!!! At 36. I feel old and in misery. How will I manage to overcome the sight of my broken smile in the mirror? I realize I may sound vain.. I am... I guess... but the thought of having to go through months of hell... I dont have the strenght to do it. How can I cope? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (6 December 2016):
 I am going through this right now. I had a tooth pulled in August
I had to let it heal till November and got the implant part.
Now it has to heal until February and then I get the cap on it. Thankfully it's in the back so while it affects chewing it's not visible.
I have TERRIBLE dental anxiety. It's very severe. I'm also a huge pain wuss when it comes to my mouth/head.
I solved this by taking pain meds/muscle relaxers and ativan (anxiety meds) before going to the dentist and having someone drive me since I can't drive myself. The combination is wonderful as I don't really feel anything and what I do feel I forget as the meds cause a bit of amnesia.
My dentist will prescribe the ativan for me. I get pain meds for my back condition. Ask your dentist for some ativan prior to the procedures and make arrangements for someone to transport you. Plan to sleep the rest of the day after the procedure as ativan is very sedating.
A
male
reader, Denizen  +, writes (6 December 2016):
 It's going to be fine. These days no-one should feel any pain at the dentist's. I imagine your abscess is on a molar or premolar, therefore the gap won't be very visible after the extraction. Were it to be at the front there are options to disguise the gap. I imagine you have had antibiotics to fight the infection and reduce swelling.
It all gets better from here.
...............................
A
female
reader, narturallycurlyhair +, writes (6 December 2016):
narturallycurlyhair is verified as being by the original poster of the question Thank you to all of tou for taking the time to get back to me. I have a final check up tomorrow and then I will start the while procedure very soon. I have also booked a series of meetings with a psychologist so I can be helped and supported during the whole thing. I will try to be strong and be positive and hope I will not be traumatized- although as of ow that seems pretty impossible. Thank you all again.
...............................
A
female
reader, k4ren +, writes (3 December 2016):
Hello,
firstly, get a second opinion. After that, it is about the health of your mouth and the way that it looks. Just imagine, there are people out there with life threatening situations, this is small fry, and you will find the strength, and be stronger for it! Good luck.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 December 2016): What an aptly asked question and how much it rings a bell in my head because I am overdue a visit toi the dentist and the longer ut goes on the worse I will feel.Blood poisoning is the worst panic about an abcess and unfortunately people do loose teeth from time to time. The trouble is that the more you put it off the worse it gets.I have a tooth that will end up being removed one day and it is right at the front of my mouth and like you I am dreading it.But when the day comes it will have to be done and I will probably go home crying because a tooth is always worth crying over unless you get so much novocaine that you go home on an adrenaline high.I wont be offered an implant probably and no doubt I will have to cultivate a gappy smile.But eventually you have to learn to live with it because if its a matter of life or death its usually best to choose !life and see what happens after that.An implant is better than blood poisoning!
...............................
A
male
reader, no nonsense Aidan +, writes (3 December 2016):
I agree with Aunt Honesty. I understand why you are upset, but I’m afraid you have to put a brave face on it, at least until the implant is in place. You don’t have to go out of your way to smile if you feel really conscious about it. I really doubt anyone will be particularly bothered. If anyone asks about it, just reply that it’s a long story and let them think there is some really interesting tale behind the loss of the tooth. This is as bad as you make it. Putting your self-conscious feelings to the back of your mind will require some discipline but you need to commit yourself to it. If you don’t, the months of hell will be of your own making. You are probably in agony with this abscess, so at least not having that pain is something to look forward to.I wish you all the very best.
...............................
A
female
reader, aunt honesty  +, writes (2 December 2016):
 I had a tooth removed because off an abscess as well and I was much younger than you at the time. You just need to get on with it. The abscess was the sorest part for me, it was agony. I would rather have all my teeth pulled and get implants in. I think you are worrying more than you should here. It will only be months off hell if you make it like that. Think off people who lose there teeth through illnesses, who are fighting for there lives. Really it is not all that bad.
...............................
A
male
reader, Denizen +, writes (2 December 2016):
Well it it is what it is, but it isn't as bad as you think it is. I have had several implants. There is no pain. I can't say it is a pleasant experience, but considering the alternative, false teeth, it is worth it.
There is a period of time while the bone grows around the implant - a month or two. Then the implant is revealed under the gum. You have an impression taken and finally a crown fitted which looks completely natural.
You can then go on eating steak, apples, whatever, without the horror of falsies.
You have made a good decision. Don't worry. You can do this.
...............................
|
