r/OralSurgery

Hi all. I don’t kniw if this is just to vent or if I need some insight. I recently had a molar with a crown on it pulled because it has been hurting for 10 years ever since the crown was put on. I’m disabled and very low income so I can’t afford a root canal, now crown or implant. I was more than ok losing the tooth, this was 3 weeks ago. A few days ago the molar behind it broke, maybe 1/4 or the enamel cam off, root it not exposed, just the dentin. I went in today to discuss having it pulled or other options. He said it’s healthy otherwise it just needs a crown. I told him I can’t afford the $700, they do offer payment plan but the tooth might need a root canal, worst case scenario if things fail I would need an implant. I can’t afford $5,000 to $10,000 for one tooth, not going to happen. He said he could put something around the exposed part temporarily until I could get a crown, but I can’t get the crown or root canal if I end up needing it. He refused to pull it and sent me on my way. Now I’m scrambling to find a dentist to pull this broken tooth. I just want to cry. I know dentists are supposed to try and save your teeth but if that isn’t something the patient can or wants to do how is it ethical to make me live with a broken tooth?

Hey Guys, I'm not sure where else to ask this question, but any opinion or experience shared is very much appreciated!

So, I'm getting my ankylosed/impacted canine extracted. My insurance isn't covering any of it unfortunately, but I can afford the extracting part, however, I cannot afford the general anesthesia part.

(Which I have a fear of general anesthesia anyways but I think my fear of this surgery is a bit greater)

My question is, do you guys think this surgery is doable with just local anesthesia? Also, if you removed your canine do you regret it at all?

l've always had the idea of the perfect smile, so losing my canine is weighing very heavy on me in all honesty. Not like I have any other option, but I'm just very frustrated and upset for not starting sooner and maybe finding a way out. Regardless, it is what it is atp, but I'd truly appreciate if you could share your experience and whether or not you regret removing your canines.

I did my VERY impacted wisdom teeth under local anesthesia and it was not painful or scary at all. But I'm very scared/worried of feeling the roof of my mouth all cut up.

Again, any opinion and experience shared is genuinely very appreciated, and I apologize about the long post! :)

Anyone aware of any dental implant studies currently ongoing or soon to start that need patients? Or a charity that might look kindly upon a pathetic soul like myself? None of the damage is from bad hygiene or improper care, my teeth were perfect prior to taking the medicine, I am I'm severe discomfort due to a medicine I took which dissolved my enamel from my teeth causing them to crumble away leaving me in agony and only able to chew with my front teeth which are now breaking from the stress, any help or guidance would truly be life saving for me cause I am at a loss trying to find help for a affordable price in AZ, willing to travel if necessary for help! Thanks in advance for reading and helping it would be life changing for me!

M40. It never really grew out. It gets infected about once a year. And likely causing sinus infections more often than that.

About 2 years ago I had an oral surgeon take a ct and he said “it’s a huge tooth, too big to extract, will cause all kinds of problems, will have to close the hole between the mouth and the sinus etc”

Now it’s infected again. I hate going on antibiotics every time this happens. I honestly don’t see another way than surgery. But is closing a hole into the sinus really that difficult?

long story short, I had gotten into a bad car accident that caused multiple issues with my teeth. I had fractured my jaw bone that was addressed immediately after the accident, however I had to wait several months to fix the teeth that were cracked in the accident...

I had the first step of the surgery on the left side of my mouth done at the end of march, this year. it involved extraction of the teeth (5 total) and bone grafting. I was fortunately under monitored anesthesia care (MAC)/deep sedation. so the procedure itself wasn't painful, however the second day and several following the surgery I was in significant pain.

I knew in advance I would need to heal before I could have the second portion of the surgery done (the implant process). so, I'm finally able to eat some very limited solid foods (baby goldfish is about the hardest/crunchiest thing I can eat since I'm operating with only two of my own back molars on that side to chew on.

they surgeons are using CT-guided/topography for the implants so the entire thing will be preplanned, but I still need to have the standard titanium posts (supposedly they function as artificial roots so the jawbone is stimulated and bone atrophy is avoided)

but I'm still getting all five done at once... when I had the extraction/bone-graft portion, I definitely needed stronger pain medication than what I see others discussing. I was prescribed hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5mg/325mg) and was instructed to take 1 tablet every 4-6 hours PNR (15 total) so needless to say this didn't really last me long. so I was prescribed generic percocet 5mg/325mg, an additional 15 tablets, PNR.

so what I'm really wondering is, what should I expect from this part of the surgery, pain wise, length of recovery, what I realistically can eat and also to people who have successfully retained healthy implants what tips do you suggest to help care for your implants outside of the standard oral health routines?

am I going to experience more or less pain vs. the extraction/bone graft? I've read since the bone contains less nerve receptors and it is less invasive, I theoretically should experience less pain/discomfort than I did for the extraction/bone grafting. I understand pain is very subjective and no two people experience things the same. but, I'm asking in general is it safe to assume, without taking into consideration any complications (knock on wood!) - that the first 48-hours will be the most uncomfortable? and I will experience less pain?**

also, I took off 1 week initially after my first surgery, and ended up extending that to 7 working days (so 5 days, monday-friday the first week and then monday & tuesday the following week)

I have a week blocked off after the implant process, should that be good?

I have a lot of vacation time/can work from home too - and my boss is extremely understanding/flexible. so, it's not an issue about rushing to get back, but I don't want to take off more days than needed - plus telling my coworkers (besides my boss) I can't talk is always fun and a plus 😏

I appreciate any and all constructive/helpful feedback in advance.