Topic: Severe Dental Fear!!!!!

Hi

I haven't posted in a long time... i have severe anxiety issues. I had a huge issue with getting a wisdom tooth out about 18 months ago and now i have to get another one out.

I am actually genuinely concerned i will die.... its like i fear choking stopping breathing and anything else in between.

I am going back 2 the same dentist who did my last extraction he was actually the second dentist 2 complete the one extraction. The first time i sat through over half an hour or a dentist trying to get the wisdom tooth out, the tooth cracked and i freaked out and literally sat up and ran. The root was left in my mouth and made me very sick and i was in excruciating pain. I ended up at my current dentist and he managed to get the root of the tooth out.

My dentist says this extraction is 100% easier than the last one but i am still terrified. What if for some reason choke on something? Or have a bad reaction 2 the local.....

I have been constantly looking up stuff on wisdom extractions and even seen some stories of people dying. However i know the only deaths were all due 2 complications of general anesthesia and i am getting this done in the chair.

Is my fear of dying at the dentist irrational? How can i get through this i have over a week till the appointment and i am worried my anxiety will drive me 2 back out of this in the mean time.....

Any helpful advice would be great thanks

Hello Jemz14

Thanks for having the courage to post again.

You are not alone with dental phobia combines with acute anxiety. Not a pleasant combination at all to have.

I have had severe anxiety for many years and also had the dental fear too. I had my wisdom teeth removed in 1982 and my dentist used an IV sedative which made the visit anxiety free. Its not as severe as a General Anesthetic which turns off the brain and unnecessary.

I understand how 'real' this fear is Jems. Finding a dentist that uses an IV sedative should be relatively easy. It may cost a bit extra but you wont feel like anything has happened and are unaware of any drilling or audio during the extraction. You may have to get a lift home from the surgery but it will feel like 5 minutes of tranquility or a deep nap during the visit.

Dr Google is a great reference tool but can increase anxiety as well. The risk of a screw up during a general anesthetic is minuscule and not worth concerning yourself with especially having anxiety issues to contend with

Just my humble opinion but having dental work done under IV sedation is an excellent alternative to just having a local or a general.

you are more than welcome to post back Jem

My kindest thoughts

Paul

Hi Paul

Thanks so much for the reply, this is the strange thing about my anxiety the thought of being sedated terrified more then anything. Its like a fear of anything making me feel less in control. My mum died when i was only 15 and its left me with the worst anxiety.

Last time i got a wisdom tooth out it was done with only local and my dentist assures me this one is 100 times easier. The last time he only had abt a millimeter of tooth 2 grab onto to pull out, the only thing i did 2 help with the anxiety last time was take medication and i am not sure i wanna do that again....

My only fear is that i will die... i can handle the pain... i just dont know how 2 convince myself that i won't die :(

Hey Jems

Thanks for post back :-)

If its okay to ask, do you see your GP now and again for your anxiety? Mine was at its worst when I was 23 and then slowly decreased.... Intravenous sedation is a very light 'time out period' that is non addictive and a gift to people with anxiety.

Is your dentist taking out a lower or upper wisdom tooth?

Paulx

Hi again

Yes i see my GP and i am on medication for my mental health. But when it comes 2 anything health related my anxiety is 2 much. I try deep breathing but really at the end of the day all that helps is reassurance and usually only proper medical reassurance.

This is a top tooth that's being taken out.... my last one which was a horrendous experience was my bottom tooth....

I am mainly scared of the numbness effecting my breathing but i saw my dentist a few weeks ago and got a filling with the local anesthetic.... do you think he uses the same local for the extraction.... as long as i dont die during this im fine. i can tolerate the pain the last time was awful and the pain went on for weeks cause it was half extrated and the root of the tooth was left in the pain got worse for about a week...

Hi Jems

Good News! the top wisdom teeth are the easy ones. The lower wisdom teeth can be settled into the actual jaw.

Dentists aside for a minute Jemz...do you have a friend you can go with? Also your appointment is a week away...you being the patient can defer your appt until you are comfortable.

The numbing effect of a local anesthetic is just that...local to the area that requires the treatment.

You will not die from a local Jemz. It cant have an effect on your ability to breathe...in any shape or form.

Maybe if we can deal with one day at a time. Just an idea Jemz...can you book an appt with your GP tomorrow? and let him know what you are going through with this understandable pre dental anxiety?

If you wish to find a dental clinic that has 'IV sedation' it will be a very relaxed and anxiety free removal....but after you have mentioned its the top wisdom tooth...a local should be fine.

I do understand your anxiety with dental treatment. Its very real.

Paulx

Hey Jemz

No problem and thanks again for posting back too :-)

I was relieved it was a 'upper' wisdom tooth as the lower ones can be a problem sometimes

If you are having trouble or even just wish to post, you are more than welcome :-)

Kind thoughts

Paulx

Hi

This may seem like such a weird question but is there anyway 2 know how big the tooth will be?? What if i choke on it :(

Hi Jemz, there is no such thing as a weird question :-)

The tooth is a bit bigger than a panadol capsule. Your dentist had to train as a GP first too so you have a super qualified person taking it out.

You wont choke on a tooth...your doc has spent year at uni to ensure that cannot happen.

Keep the good things in mind...especially that your wisdom tooth is an upper one....nice & easy!

We are here for you Jemz

Paul

Hi Jemz14,

Blondguy (Paul) has been super helpful with all his advice so I'm not sure how much more I can add -

Please don't Google your wisdom teeth procedure. I had mine out under full anaesthetic in June and I freaked out mostly because I googled. It was much much easier than I thought it would be. People will only ever post the worst stories on the Internet and nobody ever says "I had it and I was fine".

If you have any questions, make sure you ask your GP or the dentist - people who really know what they are doing :)

If you're worried about choking, know that this cannot happen. The fact that you'll be awake means that the dentist will be watching you constantly, plus as your awake you can control your own airway. They'll have the suction tube which will help, and if you like you can often raise your hand so that they can use the tube more. Sometimes they can even curve the suction tube so that you can control it. If for any reason it gets too much, or too scary - you can just raise your hand. They'll be right next to you chatting the whole time so they are right there to help keep you safe.

Guess what?

Its all done now :) i was scared i think if it wasnt for my dentist being so good it could have been worse.

Just wanted to say YAY!!

So glad it's all over for you :) Hope you are recovering okay!

Hey Jems :-)

Congrats to you...well done...woohoooo!

You have just climbed a huge mountain and well done to you :-)

As Romantic just said....YAY!!!

Paul