Hubby went for consultation today...will be getting dentures.

The original plan was for him to go to an oral surgeon and be put to sleep to have his teeth pulled....but now today the dentist suggested he could save us $500 by pulling them in his office.

Now...my big concern is...pulling 17 teeth while awake will create alot more mental trauma than if asleep, possibly hindering the healing process.

The Dentist stated he could pull them all within 15 minutes, which I don't quite believe. When I once had a molar pulled, one molar took 5 minutes to extract!

I've had multiple teeth pulled in the past, due to braces, etc., and feel that if asleep, the trauma will be so much less.

Has anyone gone through this? Any suggestions? Will the dentist doing it be any less effective in the healing process than if it's done by an oral surgeon?

I don't care so much about the money, I just care about hubby's ability to heal quickly and be comfortable!

He has to give the dentist an answer on Wednesday 2/5 - so I hope y'all see this soon!

Thanks! giz

My stepfather had his teeth pulled in the dentist's office.
I asked if this was how he would have it done again if he had to and he said no.
He said it was not painless like they said it would be.
It took about 45 minutes.
He also said that it was really hard emotionally to just sit there knowing that they were pulling his teeth.

If it were me, I would pay the extra money but that's just my opinion. I wish your husband all the luck and a speedy recovery!

Twinhearts

Giz, I have had teeth pulled and it took longer than 48 seconds a tooth. I had a procedure done that was apparently painless in a totally different part of my body in a doctors office.. and if I had it to do again.. I'd say "KNOCK ME OUT!".

I would definitely say at least conscious sedation would be necessary... and if it were me.. I'd go for the UNconscious sedation.

Several years back my husband had all his teeth pulled and had the new dentures put in at the same time.

He wasn't put to sleep.

It took a couple of hours and he looked awful when he walked out.

He isn't one to show pain (stupid moncho type) but he looked like he was meserable...for days.

Your hubby will be in enough pain in the days to follow, why not pass on the emotional stress of the actual pulling.

I would be concerned about the dentist who says he can pull them all in 15 minutes.

Even thought the appointment is on the 5th, perhaps a few more question should be asked.

Sounds like the dentist wants to make a few extra bucks. I'd go with the oral surgeon.

This will be your husband's call, but I don't think it's something to rush with.

Good luck.

I hated the sensation of having teeth pulled, even though they were not painful.

Has he ever had problems with anesthetic? That would be a consideration. there is always some risk with a general.

If his x-rays show no root problems, they might come out with no problems. Has he seen his x-rays? He should ask to have them explained to him, and how they show that no roots will need to be cut free, and no teeth will break under the tension of pulling.

If in doubt, I would go with the oral surgeon, if it were my teeth. (I suppose some day it will be.)

I've had it done both ways. Awake and asleep. If I ever have to have it done again I'd pay an extra 1000$ to be asleep when it happens. Not only was it painful, it was just a horrible experience. When the doc reached back into the back part of my mouth it was really difficult to repress the gag reflex...also the sounds that my tooth made as it left my mouth was horrid...and there's really nothing to do during the ordeal except to stare at the light and try not to look up the dentists nose.

It took 15 minutes to get my back molar taken out. I agree with the above posters. I'd be worried about a dentist who said they could get 17 in that same amount of time.

Oh, and I am not the only one that feels this way. Both my mother and sister had to have teeth out as well, and both of them, like me, experienced pain during the procedure. I would think that it might indicate ineptitude on the part of the dentist, but we went to 3 different people!! They too say that they'll never do it awake again.

Personally, I just wouldn't risk it.

Giz, My brother is a dentist. I asked him about this for you and he said No Way would he ever tell one of his patients that and he would have them see an oral surgeon for more than one or two extrections anyway. He also said that you don't know what could happen when you get into extrections he has had in the past to send some over to an oral surgeon because of the difficulty in pulling them. So hopefully this is what your hubby does giz..good luck

Katanya, brrrrr! What an absolutely graphic and chilling description! Exactly right on.

I had forgotten!

Now I'm sure I'll have a general when my time comes.

P.S. How to keep your natural teeth:

I totally believe in brushing the entire inner surface of the mouth, not just the teeth. This improves circulation in the gums and cleans away debris that is just a mass of germs.

My dentist said at last cleaning 'It's amazing. Your records go back 15 years and the depth around your teeth is exactly what it was originally!' Also very little plaque.

(He was referring to the little space between teeth and gums which the hygienist probes with a steel instrument to detect if your gums are receding or the little pockets are getting deeper, which is not a good thing..)

I told him about the total-mouth-brush technique I use (in addition to flossing) and he said "Could well be the reason".

Also I think we should clean our toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide, and keep the toothbrush dry between uses. This prevents the toothbrush from being a germ reservoir.

I had my entire upper mouth removed at one sitting. By the time I got there that morning I had worked myself into such a state of dread that the ladies had to half-carry me into the room. I asked for some gas prior to the anesthesia (local) and as soon as that started I relaxed completely. Once I was numbed, it was painless and went very quickly, I'd say it didn't take more than 30 seconds for each tooth. I felt horrible for the next 2 days but after that it was all right.

Dentures suck. As soon as the teeth are pulled, the dentist takes an impression for the dentures. At that time, the gums are sore and swollen - totally misshapen, but the impressions are made for the dentures anyway. Later, the gums heal and shrink, and so the dentures do not fit.

Take care of your teeth while you have them.

Catty

Catty, most dentists take impressions before the teeth are pulled. I can't imagine getting an impression from a sore and swollen gum.

Well now Honi, you have given me something to think about. I could swear I remember...but maybe I'm wrong. It does occasionally happen!

Catty