I had a tooth that started bothering me a couple of weeks ago. I went to see a dentist. I’d not been to him before because I had not gone to the dentist in a while. I can’t ever remember the name of my last dentist, just that he gave me a filling. When I went to see this dentist he did an x-ray and told me that there is an infection in a tooth that already has a filling. The dentist told me that he sees less that a 10% chance of saving the tooth. He said he won’t know until he gets in there. He also told me the chance are likely that he’ll end up extracting my tooth. Then, I’ll need to replace it with a dental implant. Everything about this sounds awful and is the reason I avoid the dentist to begin with. What do you recommend? Do I have other options?
Anna
Dear Anna,
I’m glad you wrote. Bear in mind that I have not examined you. However, I am not impressed from what I’m hearing about your dentist’s instructions. First, if your tooth was as bad as your dentist is describing, then he would not need an x-ray to determine that. The filling would have fallen into the tooth from decay, which would be extensive.
I would really like you to get a second opinion from another dentist who can see you. It’s possible you have a tooth infection, but I really doubt it will be as bad as your dentist described.
A second thing I wanted to mention is a way to help you deal with your dental anxiety. You are not alone in your aversion to seeing the dentist. I have found that patients who, like you, have trouble going to the dentist find their life changed by seeing a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication that will relax you as well as give you a pain-free dental appointment. You will no longer have to fear the dentist or put off getting your teeth treated until you have a dental emergency.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James E. Williams.