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I have a tooth that needs to come out that I have been putting off. It's dead and hurts more when I wake up after clenching my jaw while I sleep.
Anyway, I am going to a dental school so I can afford the cost of an implant ($2400) but fear the whole procedure. It will take months for the area to heal where they do the extraction and I was told the whole thing could take up to a year to get done.
Fortunately, I have anti-anxiety meds but I am still afraid of the pain and the process, not to mention I'm not thrilled walking around for months without a tooth.
Anyone had their tooth pulled and can you reassure me it's no big deal? They do not do the sleep thing at this school or I'd go that route.
I have a tooth that needs to come out that I have been putting off. It's dead and hurts more when I wake up after clenching my jaw while I sleep.
Anyway, I am going to a dental school so I can afford the cost of an implant ($2400) but fear the whole procedure. It will take months for thearea to heal where they do the extraction and I was told the whole thing could take up to a year to get done.
Fortunately, I have anti-anxiety meds but I am still afraid of the pain and the process, not to mention I'm not thrilled walking around for months without a tooth.
Anyone had their tooth pulled and can you reassure me it's no big deal? They do not do the sleep thing at this school or I'd go that route.
I am now the happy owner of one implant. First, the sentence I bolded in your post is somewhat inaccurate. The area of the extraction actually heals in a week or so, but the reason they wait about four months before proceeding to the next step is for the bone material they put in to grow or solidify or whatever it does. (I'm not clear on that, but the point is that you will not have any tenderness or pain after a few days to a week, so I would not say it takes months to "heal"; it just takes months to be ready for the next step.)
As for the extraction itself, it is no worse than any other dental work such as a large filing or a crown. They numb you, just like for anything else. The worst thing about it is probably your freaking yourself out; just tell yourself that while this is not what any of us would choose to do for fun, it will be over soon and you will be just fine.
Then they do the implant itself - they numb you and it is painless. Then you wait another four months before the crown (tooth) is placed on the implant. The reason for this wait is so that the implant is not moved by the pressure of chewing on it; if there is any slight movement the bone will sense the implant as a foreign object and reject it and it will become loose (useless). If there is no movement the bone is "tricked" into thinking the implant is part of it and it will solidify around the implant.
It has been almost a year now since the final step was done on my implant (the placement of the crown, or "tooth") and I am most satisfied with the result. It was an absolutely fascinating thing to go through; one cannot fail to be awed by what our advanced technology has wrought. The specialist even has a tiny little torque wrench so that he can tighten the screw securing the crown to the implant exactly the right amount. And seeing the threads of the implant (which is essentially a screw screwed into the bone) on the x-ray was fascinating in itself.
It's a long road with lots of waiting and that's the worst thing about it, other than the price if you can't afford it. Fortunately I could afford it.
I am now the happy owner of one implant. First, the sentence I bolded in your post is somewhat inaccurate. The area of the extraction actually heals in a week or so, but the reason they wait about four months before proceeding to the next step is for the bone material they put in to grow or solidify or whatever it does. (I'm not clear on that, but the point is that you will not have any tenderness or pain after a few days to a week, so I would not say it takes months to "heal"; it just takes months to be ready for the next step.)
As for the extraction itself, it is no worse than any other dental work such as a large filing or a crown. They numb you, just like for anything else. The worst thing about it is probably your freaking yourself out; just tell yourself that while this is not what any of us would choose to do for fun, it will be over soon and you will be just fine.
Then they do the implant itself - they numb you and it is painless. Then you wait another four months before the crown (tooth) is placed on the implant. The reason for this wait is so that the implant is not moved by the pressure of chewing on it; if there is any slight movement the bone will sense the implant as a foreign object and reject it and it will become loose (useless). If there is no movement the bone is "tricked" into thinking the implant is part of it and it will solidify around the implant.
It has been almost a year now since the final step was done on my implant (the placement of the crown, or "tooth") and I am most satisfied with the result. It was an absolutely fascinating thing to go through; one cannot fail to be awed by what our advanced technology has wrought. The specialist even has a tiny little torque wrench so that he can tighten the screw securing the crown to the implant exactly the right amount. And seeing the threads of the implant (which is essentially a screw screwed into the bone) on the x-ray was fascinating in itself.
It's a long road with lots of waiting and that's the worst thing about it, other than the price if you can't afford it. Fortunately I could afford it.
Thanks, I don't see what choice I have. I do not want to walk around without that tooth. If it were a molar, no big deal, but it's not.
A root canal could be another option, but they say my root is short and sort of bent, so that is only a 50/50 shot of working.
The implant is guaranteed to work so I guess I feel like that is the only way to go. Given the fact it's being done at a school, I know I am not being overcharged one bit. The student dentist I've had is great and all in all I'd recommend a dental school to anyone who doesn't have dental insurance or is low on cash. I really had my reservations about a school at first, but after seeing two dentists (aka more like used car salesmen these days) and getting estimates of $5K and $8K I decided to go to the school KNOWING they'd only do what really had to be done.
Thanks for your assurances. I have an appt the first week of March so maybe I'll call and get it taken out at one of those appts. Unfortunately, I also have periodontitis, so I have to have my teeth cleaned quite often to stay on top of that. It's not that bad and I'd like to keep it that way.
I had a tooth pulled in December. I was one of those that was "freaking myself out". When they first told me I needed to have it pulled and wanted to pull it right then, I told them I had to make another appt to prepare myself. I went out to my car and cried like a big baby. I made the appt for the next week. I was so darn nervous. They numbed me up, did some other work first (I was getting a bridge) then they were done. I didn't even know they pulled it. I felt absolutely nothing. I've had more than a handful of root canals, but never had a tooth pulled until now. I'm glad I got it done as it was a tooth that was coming out, slightly loose and an eyesore. Can't give you any info on the implants as I never had any. If I were you I would just do it as soon as possible so you will stop worrying about it. I actually got mine done about a week before Christmas and nobody could understand why I did that right before the holiday. Well if I waited any longer than that 1 week I would have chickened out or made myself a nervous wreck for a couple of weeks. Good luck!
I had a tooth pulled in December. I was one of those that was "freaking myself out". When they first told me I needed to have it pulled and wanted to pull it right then, I told them I had to make another appt to prepare myself. I went out to my car and cried like a big baby. I made the appt for the next week. I was so darn nervous. They numbed me up, did some other work first (I was getting a bridge) then they were done. I didn't even know they pulled it. I felt absolutely nothing. I've had more than a handful of root canals, but never had a tooth pulled until now. I'm glad I got it done as it was a tooth that was coming out, slightly loose and an eyesore. Can't give you any info on the implants as I never had any. If I were you I would just do it as soon as possible so you will stop worrying about it. I actually got mine done about a week before Christmas and nobody could understand why I did that right before the holiday. Well if I waited any longer than that 1 week I would have chickened out or made myself a nervous wreck for a couple of weeks. Good luck!
Thanks, I find myself wanting to hold onto it as long as I can, I guess, in spite of the fact it's a problem. I just don't want to let go of a natural tooth. But it's dead and I know I have to. My main concern has been to not let it abscess. I've been told the signs and symptoms of abscess and I don't have them. Still, when I sleep I do grind my teeth and clench my jaw and then wake up with problems.
I guess part of it's emotional (don't want to lose a tooth) and part of it's fear based (as in pain). I'll call the dental student gal tomorrow and see about getting it pulled. I'd hate to get into a situation where I end up in excruciating pain, so I've just been putting it off...
I'm with the others - it's not as big of a deal as it seems! I had my first extraction last year, when a wisdom tooth cracked outside of the gum... since it wasn't impacted I just had a standard extraction (versus oral surgery), and it was no more "intense" than a filling or root canal. In fact I'd say it's even less intense, as it takes only a minute once you're numbed. Mine was sore for a day or two, followed by maybe a week of having to eat & drink carefully. After that it was completely healed, and hasn't caused me any problems since. I didn't require an implant, being that a wisdom tooth was pulled, but I'm trusting the others are giving accurate info there.
I guess part of it's emotional (don't want to lose a tooth)
I think that was my problem, plus a little bit of what I might feel. I believe I would here crunching, but I heard nothing. If your tooth is dead, it really should come out especially if it's causing you pain.
As gizmo980 stated, it really is less intense than a filling or root canal. The only thing I felt was the shot.
I see it's been a while since anyone added to this conversation. But, it is very helpful to me. I have several crowns, (very natural looking) veneers on my front teeth and have had two root canals (so far) - ugh! I also use a night guard for grinding teeth. So, I'm not a newbie to dental work, unfortunately!
I had some seriously bad crowns done about a year and a half ago with a new dentist which threw off my bite among other issues. Thankfully, I found a great dentist who is working on fixing the issues. But, it's step by step since he knows I don't have insurance and is fixing things as we go. I expect that I'll need at least one implant for a back molar (still there, but gums are receding and not sure a crown is feasible). I'll probably need some old crowns replaced (hopefully without root canals). My dentist is a super nice guy and charging me the same rates as if I had insurance - a great find since I'm in NYC at present. I think he also doesn't want to drop a bomb on me as, despite all my previous dental work, I was traumatized by the other dentist. My understanding, in general, the full cost for procedures in NYC (before insurance) are:
Crown: 1500-1800
Root Canal: 1000-2000 (depending on the tooth - molars are the most expensive)
Implants: 5000 -7000 per tooth
Yes, it's scary! And, I suspect, that if bridges are needed, they have to attach them to something (hence, getting the molar implants). And, insurance pays very little, if at all, of this. Crowns and root canals are generally paid at 50% (but have a negotiated max). Most insurance maxes out at $2-$2500/year -- not a lot for extensive work. But, if you have a good dentist and, and even better medical biller, they know how/what to put on the forms.
Anyway, for the poster with grinding teeth, get a mouth guard ASAP! They are custom done for your teeth and, depending on insurance and where you are, can be anywhere from $50 to $700 but well worth it to save your teeth! Thankfully, I still have all my natural teeth, despite the crowns, etc. I hope to keep it that way as long as possible -
Any input is appreciated as to costs/remedies!
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Yes, I have been through this, and it's not bad.
But it's dead and I know I have to. My main concern has been to not let it abscess. I've been told the signs and symptoms of abscess and I don't have them. Still, when I sleep I do grind my teeth and clench my jaw and then wake up with problems. 
