Hole in tooth?

Question

I've got a couple of teeth with pretty big holes in them, they've been there for a while but I'm terrified of the dentist so I've not gone. But they're starting to hurt quite a lot. Before they just hurt occasionally and I could keep sweet food off them, but now they hurt most of the time and I've been taking painkillers regularly for the past couple of weeks.

I know I need to go to the dentist, but I'm absolutely terrified. I had a bad experience when I was younger and they tried to do a filling without numbing me first and it was agony. That's why I haven't gone back. I'm so scared about getting more fillings, but I'm worried that I've left these teeth too long and they might need to be extracted. Is that likely? Or will they be able to save them with big fillings?

I know they're cavities and I know they're bad cavities. I just need to know what the dentist will do if I go.

Answer 1

It sounds like you might need more than a simple filling to fix these teeth, sorry. They may need to be extracted depending on how badly decayed they are, or you might need to have root canal treatment to save them. But one thing's sure - the longer you leave it, the worse they will become. Please just face your fears and go to the dentist. Explain what happened in the past and they will be careful to make sure you are numb before they start anything. I put off going to the dentist for years and ended up having to have a tooth extracted because it was so rotten. Now I've got cavities in practically all of my teeth which I'm in the process of getting filled now. It's not nice, and my teeth look horrible now with all the fillings in them, but at least they don't hurt anymore. Go soon so that you can catch any other problems before they get as bad as the other teeth.

Answer 2

Without seeing the tooth or an x-ray, I don't know what the tooth needs. Just because there is a large hole in your tooth, it doesn't mean that they have to be taken out. These teeth may be saved with a root canal or even maybe just a crown. I'm sorry that you have a fear of the dentist. What I would suggest, is that you talk to family and friends and see who their dental provider is and if they like him/her. Once you find a dentist, make an appointment for an exam and x-rays. This will give you a good chance to meet with the dentist and learn more about them. They'll figure out what needs to be done to your teeth and will help you take care of them. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

Big Hole In Tooth

Answer 4

More than likely the first thing they are going to do is take a couple of x-rays and check things out and see how deep the cavities are and if the decay has reached the nerve. Then they will be able to tell you if they can be saved or not, it sounds like the decay has reached the nerve if you are having pain all the time that is a pretty good indicator, if there is enough tooth structure left you can have root canals done to save the teeth. I know how scary going to the dentist can be, but they are there to help you and if you are having pain you really need to go before it gets any worse. Things have improved a lot and it is easier to get you numb. Be brave....Good luck.

Answer 5

A lot of it depends on the size of the decay and the dentist.
I left my teeth for a while and one or two needed to be extracted, while others that had similar decay did not. The reason my dentist did this?
Some of it was his expertise. He felt more confident that some "borderline" teeth could be fixed by him, while a couple of the others he did not. What was also a contributing factor was the placement. While some of the teeth were is very bad shape he decided to try fillings for esthetic reasons, but two in the back he chose to extract because it was unlikely the fillings would do much good and they were not visible.
The important thing is the pain is not going to leave, it's going to get worse. You need to see a dentist. Yes, you had a bad experience in the past but explain this to the dentist you chose and they, if they're any good, will be extra careful and caring to ensure that you have nothing to worry about...although you probably will get a lengthy talk about eating/drinking habits and brushing.

Answer 6

Don't be afraid of the dentist. I just had one tooth extracted last April because I kept ignoring the hole in my tooth, but it wasn't that bad. There's a big difference in getting anesthesia when having a tooth extracted than being able to feel everything. So I guess I don't blame you if you were traumatized. The sooner you go to the dentist, the bigger chance that he/she will be able to save your tooth. Your tooth hurts because the becteria is eating away at your nerves and soon, the pain will be unbearable. You'll need to have higher dosage of painkillers, and believe me you don't want that to happen. And one more thing about the painkillers, don't let yourself get used to taking them. If the pain is tolerable, then bear it. The more you get used to taking painkillers, the higher the chance that your pain tolerance will get lower and you'll need to take higher dosage of painkillers to relieve stronger pain. High dosages of painkillers is bad for you and at the same time expensive. Go to the dentist and ask if he/she can still save your tooth by putting fillings (or pasta as what they call it in dental terms). But, if you've been feeling the pain for more than 4 months and if it hurts when food gets inside the hole in your tooth or if your tooth is getting more sensitive, then you'll probably get your tooth extracted. If you'll get an extraction, inform the dentist if you want to be anesthesized (numbed).... don't think about your bad experience, give your dentist a little more credit... so go to your dentist as soon as possible.

Answer 7

Basically, you have some options here. You can not go to the dentist, which I don't recommend. Or, you can speak with a few dentists in your area over the phone or in person and ask them what things they will help you with by calming.

When I was younger, I distinctly remember my dentist's hands smelling like beer and it traumatized me ever since. Last year I met a dentist who told me that if I needed a light sedative in order to help me relax, they would have no problem if I asked for one. They also said I could bring music to listen to also.

Most dentists who love their jobs are very saddened that people are afraid of them. I think it's because they associate the dentist with pain or suffering, rather than a preventative health care role like doctors.

Some doctors also suggest/use hypnosis for their patients if their anxiety is very severe. Generally, just talking with your dentist and explaining to them why you are afraid will help them to ease your fears. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

I suffer from the same phobia and had the same problem twice. First time, I went to the emergancy dentist and he virtually overdosed me on the anaesthetic then proceded to rip the top of the tooth off and not be able to get the root out so I had to go to the hospital to get that done. After my hospital visit I walked home and nearly choked on my tongue.

Anyway, second time (you can understand if my phobia had, like, quadrupled) I again went to the emergancy dentist (different one) and he pulled the tooth whilst distracting me....I never really felt it.

Answer 9

Trust me, you won't get them filled. They are rotted out and need to be removed. Small holes in teeth are a problem let along big ones. Its possible you also damaged the roots and that will have to be looked at.

Time to go to the dentist.

Answer 10

its probably a really bad cavaty. I had a really bad cavaty couple months ago and they put fillings in. Also if it does get worse it will be extracted. I know there is something like a filling that you can do yourself at your local drug store, use that until you go to your dentist