My tooth broke

**Marie78** · 01-22-2007, 09:48 PM

I have several teeth that need to be worked on in the next year or two. Tonight I was eating tortilla chips and chili and the tooth that needs the most work cracked in half and fell out of my mouth. I had dental work last year for an emergency root canal. I am pretty sure this tooth is going to be a root canal too. I am very nervous about going to the dentist, it scares me and I don't know how to calm myself down while the dentist is working on my tooth. I have a hard time keeping it together in the chair and I am afraid I might freak out. I need some support or any ideas for how others sit calmly in the dental chair and have root canals and fillings. I can't even think about the money involved. Last year I had a $1500 root canal and I am pretty sure this tooth is the tooth they said also needed one. I just put it off because of anxiety and the financial cost!!!

**i.m.cheap** · 01-22-2007, 09:56 PM

How weird, I broke one of my teeth in September eating chili and corn chips. I have not been able to eat chili since! I don't want to lose any more teeth.

**frugalfoster** · 01-22-2007, 09:59 PM

I broke a tooth last year and begged my dentist to try and forego the root canal. He actually was able to just fill the tooth and rebuild it. The tooth has held up well, so maybe your dentist can do the same for you!

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-22-2007, 10:02 PM

I broke a tooth as well while eating an ice cream cone, it was the same tooth I had a root canal done on and it was one of my front teeth, I had to go to work that day and never opened my mouth, I felt ugly, I went to the dentist and while I couldnt afford a crown the dentist used that super strong filling stuff to build the bottom half of my tooth, while it HAS lasted many many years I dont eat hard items for fear the tooth will break again, that means no corn on the cob, hard candy, ice cream cones, etc...

One day when I can save enough or be eligible for insurance through the state will I get a crown or something.

**kabin63** · 01-23-2007, 07:58 AM

I know exactly how you feel. If it's not money, it's definately the anxiety. I get so full of it in the office I can actually get tears just talking tot he dentist. I had a filling fall out last week, had an appointment scheduled for yesterday and cancelled it.
Why not try sedation dentistry. I think I am going to. My brother just had some work done, has all the anxiety issues, and he said that it doesn't knock you out. It just takes that edge off and makes it a much more pleasant experience.
It makes me wonder why so many of us are afraid of going to the dentist. I know that my fear lately has to do with my last attmpts at being completely numbed up have failed to a degree. I can only hope that the next dentist I find will put me at ease. That, or I better get some valium.

**PrairieRose** · 01-23-2007, 12:12 PM

My best suggestion for sitting calmly would be to wear a headset to a cd player or something with your favorite, calming music. Make up your mind before you go that you will concentrate on something like sitting on the most beautiful beach you've ever seen with your toes in the water, basking in the sun (or some other such peaceful thought that would be calming and soothing to you). And then, do it. Don't think about what they are doing, keep your eyes closed and ask for meds.

**dcompton** · 01-23-2007, 12:38 PM

Why not call the dentist prior to the appointment and ask if he can prescribe something for anxiety? Before I started chemo, my doctor prescribed Atavan for me for anxiety, something he does routinely for all his patients, but as the chemo was not stressful for me, I never took it. However when I was later looking at a test that was causing me anxiety, a friend of mine, an anesthesiologist, suggested I take it before the procedure. But he had some really good advice. Since I was planning to drive myself, he said to take it once before the appointment, when I was at home and not going anywhere, just to see how I reacted to it, if it made me sleepy, etc. so I would know if I could safely drive.

As for dealing with the anxiety during the procedure, the music is a good suggestion. Beyond that, I don't know, because I am blessed not to mind dentistry very much. It's doctors that send my blood pressure through the roof! (Happily, I have two great ones now who don't affect me that way.)

Do you have a friend or someone, preferably who does not have a horror of dentists, who could go with you for moral support? And have you discussed this with your dentist? They deal with patients with anxiety all the time. If he is not sympathetic or proactively helpful, find another dentist. There are ways to get through this!

**Marie78** · 01-23-2007, 06:12 PM

Thank you all for your great advice. I have an appt. for this Thursday at 8am. I think I will bring a cd player and let them know up front about my anxiety. I hope they are understanding. I like the idea of calling the Dr. for something to calm me down too. I am so glad that I am not alone with my dental problems! Having people understand what I am going through helps me not stress out about the situation as much.

**tbs727** · 01-23-2007, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by kabin63

Why not try sedation dentistry.

I agree, I get so nervous about going to the dentist, I actually get sick to my stomach. If I ever need much work done, I will have to be sedated. It would be worth the extra cost!

**nodmicks** · 01-23-2007, 10:15 PM

I'm a big chicken at the dentist also. I have them give me nitrous oxide gas so I am very relaxed before they start. I don't care that ins wont pay the extra$50. I vomit when nervousso it is in their best interest(blush).

I hope it goes well for you!

**suzysaver** · 01-23-2007, 11:59 PM

I completely understand how you feel, and your definetly not alone. Dentists are very aware of the problem also...so please don't hesitate to ask for a sedative and discuss what options they offer. My dentist offers several different kinds of sedation and will prescribe a valum to take before going in.

**Telephus44** · 01-24-2007, 12:00 PM

My DH always had a problem with dentists, and it wasn't until one of his teeth "fell out" like yours did that I MADE him go see one. Turns out for him, he just hadn't been to a dentist he liked. I got lots of recommendations and we ended up going to one that wasn't on our insurance plan, but DH liked him and trusted him enough that he was able to go to all 5 appointments to get his teeth cleaned up (gums scaled, 5 teeth pulled, a lot of things that were not easy) without too much panicking. Now he'll even make his own appointments to go for cleanings.

So if you don't like your dentist, maybe you should look around? Just an idea.