The Big Book of British Smiles

[Soluzar]

I've recently had a rather bad toothache, and when I went to see a dentist about it, they told me I would need a root canal. I was supposed to have had the treatment by now, but unfortunately I wasn't feeling particularly well last week, so I have that experience still ahead of me.

I'm a little terrified. In fact, I'm supposed to be sleeping right now, but I can't because I'm going to book the appointment tomorrow morning and it probably won't be long until I face the drill. The local anaesthetic they use, Novocaine or whatever, doesn't usually work too well on me. I tend to point out rather frantically that it still hurts until they give me an extra shot before I can actually get through the experience pain free. I don't know if they ever put ya under for these kind of things, but I wouldn't like that. I've never had a general anaesthetic, and I'm a scared out of my wits by the idea of them.

Irrational I know.

So... who else has been on the receiving end of the dentist's drill? Got horror stories? Got reassurance or kind words? Got the desire to scare poor Soluzar until he turns bone-white and refuses to go near a dentist ever again? Seriously though... if you've had a root canal, tell me about that. If you're missing any teeth, tell me about that too. There's a tiny chance that I might lose the tooth, although I hope I'd get some bridgework done or something like that.

I eat too much sugar. I know it. I can only blame myself.

At this point I will simply be glad when I can chew on both sides of my mouth again.

[SapperSix]

I had four fillings a year or two back, It wasn't bad or anything. The only thing that I would really dread, is getting wisdom teeth removed.

Also, It's a mans life in the British Dental Association.

[Mosinmatt]

I have a HUEG cavity in my upper right wisdom tooth. Not that I dont brush or anything, it was just damn near impossible to get at.

[Soluzar]

I had four fillings a year or two back, It wasn't bad or anything. The only thing that I would really dread, is getting wisdom teeth removed.
I wouldn't necessarily dread that... it depends on your individual teeth, it would seem. My better half had one out, she said it popped out with practically no fuss, mess or pain. Apparently she had it done on a lunch break once, and she felt fine other than for the anaesthetic making her too giddy to return to work.

I've had several fillings, but apparently a root canal is a type of restoration that goes a little deeper into the tooth, and is a bit of a 'last resort' to save one that has gone wrong. It turns out the existing filling on this tooth wasn't done right and it has continued to decay despite my best efforts with brush, floss and mouthwash.

[goddessofanime]

I broke a tooth and had an abcess to boot. It sucks.

The dentist worked on me and I looked like a chipmunk afterwords with my mouth stuffed with cotton. And I had to walk home from there too...I was miserable.

[Jon]

Oh Soluzar...how much pop do you drink? I don't drink it any more because that's how I got my first one...and it's not fun. You will NOT enjoy the great 2 hours it takes to remove the nerve, and put the crown on. Novocaine helps reducing the pain to an extent, but no matter what you WILL feel that nerve when they hit it. It'll be worth it though, since I'm sure the pain you're in now is absolutely terrible, at least I was. can't even drink water without the nerve sending a sharp pain. Once you get the fake tooth in life is so much better.

Out of curiosity, what tooth did you get the root canal on? Depending on the location, if people can't see the tooth from eyesight I recommend getting the gold color crown versus the white tooth. The gold color (not sure on the material) is more durable and will last considerably longer than the white material. It'll also cost you a lot less in the long run, since you won't have to have it replaced nearly as much.

Though I'm not sure on the government healthcare over there, so the government might take care of all your dental needs. But still, just keep that in mind.

[Soluzar]

I broke a tooth and had an abcess to boot. It sucks.
Aww now... that's just not nice. Ever so sorry to hear that, I know when my dad had something similar it was pretty rough on him. I've been lucky enough to avoid that thus far.

I have a HUEG cavity in my upper right wisdom tooth. Not that I dont brush or anything, it was just damn near impossible to get at.
Was it par tly covered by the gums while emerging? Sometimes a cavity forms in that situation and it's near to impossible to get under that flap of gum to clean. Wisdom teeth aren't functional, they don't bite together when you close your mouth. If your dentist suggests you have it extracted, it's not that big of a deal.

[superplough]

Lol at the thread title

Also, if it was me, I'd not go to the dentist no matter what. I was traumatised by the dentist I had at school. I dont care if all my teeth fall out, I aint going to the dentist.

[Soluzar]

Oh Soluzar...how much pop do you drink?
Ahh... too damn much, I can tell ya. I've not been looking after myself lately the way I should. It is just pure laziness, because I know I can and should do better by myself. In a lot of ways. Way too much pop is the short answer, maybe 3/4 a litre a day if I'm not careful.

Out of curiosity, what tooth did you get the root canal on? Depending on the location, if people can't see the tooth from eyesight I recommend getting the gold color crown versus the white tooth
It is my upper-right first molar, so it's not terribly visible. I think I'll be offered the choice. The way the system works is that the government subsidise dentistry, so the costs are reduced a lot, but you still get to choose whatever level of treatment you like and just pay the extra. I've got a dental plan, so I pay a little each month instead of a big bill every so often. I should be fine to go with whatever kind of crown I prefer, and I'll bear your advice in mind.

Also, if it was me, I'd not go to the dentist no matter what. I was traumatised by the dentist I had at school. I dont care if all my teeth fall out, I aint going to the dentist.
I understand what you're saying, because I feel total fear at the thought of even walking into the dentist's office, but seriously... come back and tell me the same thing when biting down on a semi-hard morsel of cereal in the wrong place can make you jump clean out of your chair as the shock jolts through your jaw... or when you have to be really careful drinking anything cold because if it touches the wrong spot it will feel like an electric shock.

[Holy Knight]

Oh yeah, that. Hurts as much as tearing out your vocal chords from screaming at the abstract entities that inhabit your psychotic mind in the hours after midnight, deafened by the torrential pouring rain in such a way that you know you are very, very much alone with yourself.

No, kidding. :P ... Or not. First time stuff and all that. :ph34r:

Well, I'm not sure how much I can relate to it, given I've sort of become used to the pain after 5 years of treatment, the last 3-4 of them sporting braces tightened every 2 months, have had wisdom teeth pulled, jaw surgery, had my upper jaw enlarged, cavities treated, etc... Not to mention the very painful hole in the wallet.

Now, I haven't had a root canal, but my brother has, and yes, it does hurt, but it's certainly not unmanageable.

You'll be fine. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that no matter how much it hurts, it's over eventually. Not sure how reassuring that is... but it's plain fact as I've come to experience it. :lol:

Forgot to mention the anesthetic. Depending on how they administrate it, it's either a little prick for a few seconds (local), or completely painless (they put you to sleep). 99% sure they're going with local, so expect that. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Finally, bridgework. Avoid that at all possible unless you want to be out some 5 grand. I think that's a lot scarier than one measly anesthetic!

[Jon]

The pain is terrible, isn't it? Believe me, after your new fake tooth is in place (though it'll feel really unnatural for the first week or two) you'll look back and be like, "Damn, I'm so ****ing glad I went through that!" I'm not kidding :lol:

And for the people who have never had a root canal, they are leagues for painful then fillings. Fillings don't even hurt, they just drill a little, add some substance and dry it. It kinda sucks that I've had so many, but that's what happens when you're naturally born with teeth with really low enamel surface. Add the mixture of pop/gatorade/sugared drinks, say hello to problems.

[Mosinmatt]

Was it par tly covered by the gums while emerging? Sometimes a cavity forms in that situation and it's near to impossible to get under that flap of gum to clean. Wisdom teeth aren't functional, they don't bite together when you close your mouth. If your dentist suggests you have it extracted, it's not that big of a deal.

Nope. It is just WAY back there, and the tooth brush cant get to it directly due to how tight it is back there. I have to come up and around and indirectly brush it.
Seriously...hueg effing hole in it. I got an appointment to fill two cavities in the front first, then get them pulled. I dont have insurance though, and am trying to get it.
SO yea...times are tough for me.

[CrossboneGundam]

When I read the topic, I thought this would be pictures of yellowed, crooked smiles.


I was right aside from the pictures part, apparently.

[Trefellin]

Oh, I thought someone actually made a coffee table book filled with pictures of British teeth and was like...

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u359/hoobity/1225065047619.jpg

[SapperSix]

I suggest you watch this before you go to the dentist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6tAW7bbnAU

[Shiroiyuki]

So... who else has been on the receiving end of the dentist's drill? Got horror stories? Got reassurance or kind words? Got the desire to scare poor Soluzar until he turns bone-white and refuses to go near a dentist ever again? Seriously though... if you've had a root canal, tell me about that.

I've had two root canals, both on my lower left side. Luckily they were the back two molars so no one noticed the crowns (one of which just chipped the other day....*SIGH*). It's been a few years since I've had the work done but I still remember the experience vividly.

We were in the process of switching insurance companies so there was a lot of headache involved in waiting/figuring out who was doing what. Not the best time for a root canal, but the one tooth practically collapsed on me so I had to get it done. The other one was just decayed too badly to be filled. *Shrugs*

Anyway, the dentist that I first saw was horrible and thought that leaving me for FOUR GODDAMN HOURS -- jaw cranked unnaturally open with tools and weird....foam things -- so they could break for lunch and cover other patients was a good thing. They came back and had the nerve to discuss the great Subway they had before treating Mr. Johnson for his cavity. Unbelievable.

When they finally got through with the root canals, my mouth was in so much pain I couldn't eat solid food for three weeks. No joke, it was jello and soft things until my jaw healed from the abuse.

We switched dentists right after this, trying to figure out what was going on with the insurance company. We ended up finding another dentistry that looked 'promising' and waited for almost a week (with no communication) for the other jerkoffs to send my records over. They were apparently 'lost' in the mail twice.

We did all of this out of necessity as the cheap *** filler they LEFT in my mouth (no shape, rough edged, dark grey filler that would have been filled down and used under the crowns had they finished) was starting to rip through the lining in my mouth when I chewed, and I couldn't bite down right because they weren't correctly shaped.

They got my impressions and fitted me for crowns and gave me like...temporary cap thingies to chew with in the mean time (just so I could heal up), but the pending crown work ended up NOT being covered by our insurance like we originally thought -- so we had to PAY OUT OF POCKET the $2k+ each crown cost. It was terrible. I got the crowns put on finally, sure, but we weren't rich. We paid for those for a long time.

And the first set of crowns didn't even work out (for some reason when I bit down it still was uneven and that offset HURT).

Anyway, we switched dentists again (because after that I just couldn't trust their work) and had to go through the stupid run-around once again, waiting for the records to be transferred, getting onto an insurance plan that covered crown work, etc. etc. We had to redo the entire thing which took almost another month.

It was HELL. But it's better than having an open gap in my mouth I suppose. Until the other day the crowns worked for me no problem. Then one of them chipped....and I'll probably have to get it replaced <_<....

*SIGH*




The only thing I can say to you is MAKE SURE YOU HAVE INSURANCE THAT COVERS CROWN WORK, because some plans may not. Crowns are expensive; make sure you inquire about them before you even begin the process. You don't want to be stuck in one of the stages, believe me.

And root canals don't necessarily walk hand-in-hand with eating a lot of sugar. In my case, at least, I just happen to have soft teeth because my parents weren't exactly baby-friendly when I was in the womb. Nothing I do will change that; brushing religiously, flossing, mouthwash, ACT, whatever -- my teeth will still be soft and I'll still have terrible problems the rest of my life.

It sucks, but what are ya gonna do?

[Jon]

When they finally got through with the root canals, my mouth was in so much pain I couldn't eat solid food for three weeks. No joke, it was jello and soft things until my jaw healed from the abuse.

Mine wasn't THAT bad, I could actually eat perfectly fine after the whole procedure, although my jaw was sore, it wasn't nearly as bad as your described it. Did your crown feel unnatural at first? Cause mine did, but now I don't even notice it! Quite awesome, must I say (besides that it cost my parents about thousand dollars...;)


And root canals don't necessarily walk hand-in-hand with eating a lot of sugar.

Sugar eats away at the enamel coating on your teeth, so it does go hand-in-hand. Having soft teeth definitely doesn't help either, but lessening your sugar intake will improve your chances of not getting a root canal.

[Black Cat]

be a man and though it out. pain is your friend

[Meson]

I had my wisdom teeth removed. I don't know what happened, but I can't feel anything on one side of my tongue, and it has been 3 years since I had the surgery.

[Rahxephon91]

Is this a Simpsons reference?

From the episode where Lisa needs braces(dental plan)

[Haro!]

Fortunately I've never had any serious dental work done. I just wanted to rub that in a little bit.

I did have one bad dentist experience though. And it was just a check up and cleaning. I went to a place that my insurance covered (something I had never done before) and I was happy to not have to pay anything as I was going in. While getting my teeth cleaned I felt pain and saw blood shoot out and land on that lamp thing. I finally understood why some people are affraid of going to the dentist. And I learned that sometimes paying is worth going to a good dentist.

[superplough]

Is this a Simpsons reference?

From the episode where Lisa needs braces(dental plan)

correct

(dental plan filler)

[Shiroiyuki]

Did your crown feel unnatural at first? Cause mine did, but now I don't even notice it!

Yes it did feel unnatural, but it was more that they didn't shape the crown correctly the first time around out of incompetence, and one side was fashioned too high and stuck INTO the top row of teeth instead of sitting flush (so my mouth closed at an angle and I'd end up biting down wrong and hurting myself).

[Soluzar]

While getting my teeth cleaned I felt pain and saw blood shoot out and land on that lamp thing.
Ahh. Most unpleasant, I dare say you didn't offer that establishment any return business.

The only thing I can say to you is MAKE SURE YOU HAVE INSURANCE THAT COVERS CROWN WORK, because some plans may not. Crowns are expensive; make sure you inquire about them before you even begin the process. You don't want to be stuck in one of the stages, believe me.
I appreciate the advice, but fortunately between my insurance and the subsidies that our government provide for dental work, it's actually quite affordiable.

I can certainly understand why some people are against government healthcare schemes, but the benefits are awfully pleasant. Going by a couple of posts in this thread I have a vague idea how much it would cost otherwise, and there's just no comparison.

Is this a Simpsons reference?

From the episode where Lisa needs braces(dental plan)
It is. Indeed it is. It's also roughly fitting to the situation.

I hasten to add that my smile is significantly better than the ones in that book though.

[Trefellin]

I've always thought it would be cool to have stainless steel teeth. Would that work?

[Soluzar]

I've always thought it would be cool to have stainless steel teeth. Would that work?
Until you need to get an MRI you'd be fine.

[DavenIII]

I had horrible teeth, needed I think 6? Molers taken out back in my late teens, then had 3 wisdom teeth pulled also.

I always got "Gas" for them, Gas first then Novocain while Gased.

I remember my first time was actually an enjoyable experience lol, I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for my little brother who had work done too (except his tooth was fused to his jaw bone so they needed to use some type of saw) anyhow, I was laughing cause I was still somewhat high and feeling no pain, but I was saying how I wanted to come back soon and stuff with bloody gauze hanging out of my face...the waiting room was horrified lol.

Gas+Novocain is the way to go...take it from someone who had MANY teeth issues...fine now..but for years.

[ToyMachinist_86]

When my molars came in, they had very weak enamel after they erupted, meaning that even though I have always taken very good care of my teeth, every one of my molars has at least one filling. Compound this with the fact that I have extra cusps on all of them, and I have had a great many run-ins with drills. I find most procedures to be pretty much a walk in the park, and personally, I think that if you can afford it, the most people harbor no fear of dentistry when they go regularly(twice a year).

I know that most of the people i've met that have morbid fears of the dentist are those who don't go, so whenever they go in for something, it means major, painful, work.

I kinda fell into that trap when i was younger. I had a friend who's older sibling had braces. she brought some of his rubber bands to pre-school one day and distributed them. everyone put them around their teeth, pretended they were braces, then took them off after about 10 minutes. I left mine on and forgot about it. I have no idea how, but I forgot about it, the damn thing worked under my gums, and began to not only cause awful pain, but shift my front teeth around after a few weeks.

Fortunately this was caught at my regular check up. Unfortunately it hurt so much, that i wouldn't let my dentist look at the offending area, and the white rubber band was invisble on the X-Rays. I was sent to an oral surgeon, who examined me after i had been strapped to a chair, and an exploratory surgery was performed about a week later, and the rubber band was removed.

However my smile was pretty much ****ed. The incisors on my upper jaw were now horribly out of line. I then made visits to 4 orthodontists to see if i would need braces. One Said that he wanted to fit me with them within the week (Just turned 5, btw) and the others wanted to wait and see what happened as my other teeth came in, each with varying expectations as to how much orthodontia i would need. After about 7 years of just letting my teeth come in naturally, my teeth are straighter than several friends of mine who had braces.

Other wonderful things about my teeth-

I chew ice, so i had a hairline fracture around a filling in one of my back teeth that had to be bonded back together with a white filling.

I have a second set of wisdom teeth forming.

[VidelCoolGirl]

You win for Simpsons reference.

[Soluzar]

You win for Simpsons reference.
Cool, I hope the prize is some new teeth. :D

[VidelCoolGirl]

Cool, I hope the prize is some new teeth. :D

It is. They even spray cologne on the hour. Its called Obsession for Teeth.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

I have this mouth wash made by Equate or something that will whiten your teeth. It tastes like paint and I almost choke gargling it, but I do it.

Then I use arm and hammer toothpaste, it's the toughest toothpaste there is. I get the whitening brand. For real I remember once I ran out of arm and hammer (which is hard to do becuase one tube lasts for like a year), and I had to use Crest. It was so weak my teeth pretty much said "XD, next."

Then I floss.

Then I use mouth wash.


I do this after every meal.


Whereas you, Anime Nation Forum Legend Soluzar, eat nothing but Cheese Sandwhiches (according to Tenshi A in the "Workout fail" thread) and gargle soda. Now you have the dreaded GUM DISEASE KNOWN AS GINGAVITIS how does it feel?



Also my dentist is really condecending, if your teeth aren't perfect you open your mouth and she's like "Oh." and I'm like "Hey woman get over here and I'll shine my light into your eyes."

[Soluzar]

Whereas you, Anime Nation Forum Legend Soluzar, eat nothing but Cheese Sandwhiches (according to Tenshi A in the "Workout fail" thread) and gargle soda. Now you have the dreaded GUM DISEASE KNOWN AS GINGAVITIS how does it feel?
Ahh, um... not just cheese sandwiches, and yeah I drink too much soda. I also floss and use mouthwash... when I remember to. :P

Won't lie though, my gums have been pretty inflamed and it feels pretty nasty. I totally regret every sugary treat I've had for the last decade. Seriously. >_<

[KabukiSaMuRaI]

Ahh, um... not just cheese sandwiches, and yeah I drink too much soda. I also floss and use mouthwash... when I remember to. :P

Won't lie though, my gums have been pretty inflamed and it feels pretty nasty. I totally regret every sugary treat I've had for the last decade. Seriously. >_<
No no! Let's be clear about something right here and now. You do not regret any piece of sugar based substance or sweet confectionery that you've had within the last decade, my good sir. The only thing you regret is the final outcome and the steps it will take to get your teeth and gums to shine just like in those fancy Orbit commercials :P

[sailornyanko]

Never gotten root canal, but I have had 4 Premolar extractions (two of them being really painful). I still have 4 wisdom teeth to go. A maxilofacial surgeon at my hospital is oferring to do the procedure if I can show her the x-rays. Luckily I have a dentist appointment this week so I might be able to fetch them.

[Soluzar]

No no! Let's be clear about something right here and now. You do not regret any piece of sugar based substance or sweet confectionery that you've had within the last decade, my good sir. The only thing you regret is the final outcome and the steps it will take to get your teeth and gums to shine just like in those fancy Orbit commercials :P
Ahh... you might have a point, actually. :redface:

Nobody who knows me will actually believe that I regret eating sweet things.

[tenshi_a]

Sings: I'm leaving you when you get self-inflicted type 2 diabetes!

[Soluzar]

Sings: I'm leaving you when you get self-inflicted type 2 diabetes!
Can I please have an "if" in that lyric? :(

Plus you know I've been cutting down. ;)