first tooth filling- questions

first tooth filling- questions

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steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,668 posts

181 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
at age 49 1/2 i think i need a filling , i get the odd twinge in a tooth

what pain should i be prepared for ?

what questions do i ask so i dont get a bodge job ?

montymoo

384 posts

174 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
Ive had 3 or maybe 4. I would not say its painful, uncomfortable at times maybe, BUT it depends on the dentist. My last one a few years ago was fine, in fact she did 2 and i didnt realise,

Imagine someone blowing very cold air into your tooth, thats what i think it feels like.

Funny story time,
My first filling. several years ago, I fell over bashed my face and had a left molar crack, Called dentist up and explained i would need a filling. The receptionist was like, oh okay you might need a filling.
No im certain i do, half of my crown is under my sofa.
Anyway i make the appointment for a few days asking for assurance i will get a filling.
yes yes the dentist will do what is needed.

A few days later,
Arrived to my dentist who, gave a general check up and said, ah you need a filling,
yeah No sht sherlock i said that when i booked.
However the appointment booked was a checkup and that i would need to rebook for a filling. I was due to fly abroad in 2 days, not ideal.
However due to cancellation i got in the next day. Which surprised even the dentist when she saw me on the chair again.
It did not fill me with confidence that she hadnt read the list of patients she would see that day and what jobs to do...

There was no real pain, she put filling in, made me bite on something a few times and i went on a jolly for a few days.
3 days later it fell out and i nearly swallowed it...sigh


I called back and asked why it fell out and was this common and i was given no real answer,
I explained i really needed this fixed, and when can i come back. They had an appointment with another dentist and asked if that was ok,
yes it was....
Went back to the same dentist office but this time i saw a young guy.

Anyway back on the chair for the 3rd time in maybe 2 weeks, and while he seemed rather confident i found it odd he was asking all these questions to his assistant. Should i do this, or is it a good idea to try this, oh is this the...etc.

Eventually it dropped on me. He was a dental student.(Nothing against students we all gotta learn, but just learn on someone else)
After about an hour for one filling, i kid you not, Toward the end when i ran my tongue over the filling i felt it move and i was sure it fell off.

He quickly made excuses that sometimes with lots of blood they dont set well and can come off, Fantastic.
1 hour and its all a waste of time and they were really about to send me home with a giant hole in my tooth.
Anyway, what i had felt was something else, and the filling was there, hurrah

I left with a swollen face and was in a little pain.

3 or 4 weeks later i was still having tooth ache, but had now left uk and visited a dentist in another country, Far more modern, office looked more like a spaceship.
Anyway after imaging I had to get the tooth removed due infection in the root.
Tooth had to be cut in half during extraction. That was fun.

My new dentist, no issues, she is great at her job and makes you feel super relaxed.

So yeah, i guess ask if the dentist is a student, and if they are actually any good.
I believe had i asked these questions and got honest answers i would have been better off.




steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,668 posts

181 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
i was thinking i had read that if you have 2 teeth next each other that need doing , hack jobs will put a lump over both teeth vs separate ones?

obviously i want white , but is there choices of white filling ? cheapo vs good stuff etc ?

Freakuk

3,468 posts

158 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
I had one (replaced) a month or two ago. My dentist is brilliant and it's the first time I've had a filling with him, quick injection barely any pain in the area and then just uncomfortable vibrations/noises while he's drilling out. Literally no pain during/afterwards.

But I will say that is not always the case depending upon how bad the decay is and the remediation work.

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,668 posts

181 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
Freakuk said:
I had one (replaced) a month or two ago. My dentist is brilliant and it's the first time I've had a filling with him, quick injection barely any pain in the area and then just uncomfortable vibrations/noises while he's drilling out. Literally no pain during/afterwards.

But I will say that is not always the case depending upon how bad the decay is and the remediation work.
i know it varies if a bad job etc...what sort of time for an average one ? how long until eating normal ?

A500leroy

5,595 posts

125 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
Dont bother with white you cant really see them and its miles more expensive, just wait till you need a cap, thats where the pain is, a filling more a sharp prick.

xx99xx

2,252 posts

80 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
You've done extremely well to last this long for your first filling.

Personally I've had a mixed bag of experiences over the years at various surgeries. Every now and again, they don't do the injections right and you feel pain. This has mentally scared me and I'm always nervous of any drilling now. It's one of the worst pains you can voluntarily put yourself through - and pay for the pleasure.

The anesthetic, when it works, takes effect almost immediately and your lip will feel numb for about an hour or so. Once you leave the surgery it's good to go for eating and drinking.

Some of the best dentists I've had have been the newly qualified ones, presumably because they've recently been trained in new techniques.

Watch out for the upselling. Dentists are like car salesmen without the wheeler dealer reputation - yet.

Mr_J

430 posts

54 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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I've had my fair share of fillings over the years. The injection is the worst bit but it's not that bad and wears off quickly enough, maybe an hour or so.

I've had a few fillings with no anesthetic, which tells you there's really nothing to worry about.

Armitage.Shanks

2,446 posts

92 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
It does surprise me that UK dentists don't use the gel anasthetic that can be rubbed onto the gum before giving the injection. That way you don't feel the needle at all.

Tresco

520 posts

164 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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A500leroy said:
Dont bother with white you cant really see them and its miles more expensive, just wait till you need a cap, thats where the pain is, a filling more a sharp prick.
Don’t agree, spend a little extra for white, you’ll see it and will regret a metal filling.

sociopath

3,433 posts

73 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
quotequote all
Ah the perils of being young.

Being a 61 year old and being brought up in 1960s Yorkshire I probably have more metal than enamel these days. Our local dentist from those days is now known as the butcher.

So my vast experience would say that the best thing you can do is make sure you relax when you get your injection. You may not think you can tense your gums, but you definitely can, and it hurts a lot more if you do.

After that, certainly for me, they can do what they want, and I've had 6 root treatments and multiple crowns.

Other than that, take a painkiller when the nova Caine is wearing off as even the best dentist causes nerve bruising, and that can be unpleasant

otolith

59,140 posts

211 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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I had one replaced a few years ago. Confessed to the dentist that I wasn’t good with dentistry. She was brilliant, and I didn’t feel a thing, not even the anaesthetic needle.

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,668 posts

181 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
are all the white materials same or is there a premium one i should request ? i wont be having a grey one

you say up selling ...like what ?

Parsnip

3,135 posts

195 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
I've got a mouth full of them - one of my biggest regrets was not taking proper care of my teeth when I was young.

On the other hand, I'm glad mine are all white - ignore anyone who says to save £50-100 or whatever - the metal amalgam ones look rubbish in comparison - others might not be able to see them, but you will...

The numbing is a bit uncomfortable, but once it kicks in, you shouldn't feel anything - bit of vibration and that's about it. if it hurts, get them to stop and stick more anesthetic in.

In and out in no time flat, then spend the rest of the day with a numb face, dribbling tea down your front.

Freakuk

3,468 posts

158 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
Freakuk said:
I had one (replaced) a month or two ago. My dentist is brilliant and it's the first time I've had a filling with him, quick injection barely any pain in the area and then just uncomfortable vibrations/noises while he's drilling out. Literally no pain during/afterwards.

But I will say that is not always the case depending upon how bad the decay is and the remediation work.
i know it varies if a bad job etc...what sort of time for an average one ? how long until eating normal ?
Time - It's probably 20 mins or so, that's getting the injection, waiting a few mins for it to do its job, drilling, then filling.

Eating - For me it was immediately, as I said I had no pain once the drugs had worn off.

BoRED S2upid

20,348 posts

247 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
A500leroy said:
Dont bother with white you cant really see them and its miles more expensive, just wait till you need a cap, thats where the pain is, a filling more a sharp prick.
Disagree with this. Of course you can see them they are big black fillings. Definitely go white.

dundarach

5,380 posts

235 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
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I'm a big softy

I've fainted once during acupuncture

Fillings are fine, I actually really love the sensation of a numb mouth afterwards

You might oddly enjoy it smile

xx99xx

2,252 posts

80 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
are all the white materials same or is there a premium one i should request ? i wont be having a grey one

you say up selling ...like what ?
Up selling - silver amalgam is the standard NHS option for rear teeth but they'll give you the choice of white composite at extra cost.

Crowns have even more choice. Shiny silver (NHS) or the private options of silver amalgam covered with white ceramic coating, pure ceramic or gold. Obviously the tooth coloured options will look best but amalgam is potentially stronger for molars.

Sometimes a filling will be adequate but they'll suggest a crown would be better. I'm sure it would be for a longer term solution but I'd be happy having a filling replaced every 5 years to keep costs down.

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,668 posts

181 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
A500leroy said:
Dont bother with white you cant really see them and its miles more expensive, just wait till you need a cap, thats where the pain is, a filling more a sharp prick.
Disagree with this. Of course you can see them they are big black fillings. Definitely go white.
pretty sure the dentist i use doesnt offer grey ones , wont be nhs treatment

sociopath

3,433 posts

73 months

Wednesday 9th November 2022
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
A500leroy said:
Dont bother with white you cant really see them and its miles more expensive, just wait till you need a cap, thats where the pain is, a filling more a sharp prick.
Disagree with this. Of course you can see them they are big black fillings. Definitely go white.
Black?
You should cha. Ge your dentist. Oh and maybe stop going around showing your teeth to everyone.

Molars are fine with standard amalgam as no one can see them unless you're weird, and even if they can, no one cares.