Hi. I went to dentist yesterday to have a tooth removed. However because I have been on Methx in the last yr. she couldnt do it.

[ladycaz]

She also said that because I take have Chronic Widespread pain Syndrome and a form of arthritis and take a lot of pain meds including Gabapentin and am awaiting to see a specialist about jaw misalignment I would have to go to hospital for the extraction under general anesthetic.

Anyone else undergone this? Or was she just being careful? This is new to me as luckly I haven't had anything done at dentist for yrs only check ups.

[Hidden]

Hello

Three weeks ago I had a sedation at a general Hospital and they knew I was on MTX in injection form. My treatment was one extraction and five fillings. I went through this method because of past problems and Small Joint Arthritis in both sides of the jaw.

So I cannot understand why she did not undertake your treatment. It may be due to weight or age as sometimes this sort of treatment can prove to be a problem. If sedation the waiting lists are very long and it was over the six month period by the time I had my treatment, generally they wait for six months before you are ready for a pre operation check at hospital before treatment then a further five weeks for the procedure. For example the dentist in practice referred me for treatment, I waited till my next check up, then went for an initial check up at the hospital so they could decide what to do with me, Six weeks later pre op check, then a further six weeks for treatment a total of about thirty six weeks.

Could it be that they are waiting until the Dental Surgeon sees you and then they will decide how to complete the surgery all together ? That may be one way they are looking at, especially when you have not seen a dentist for years.

They always like to do the lot at one session. Another thing you need to know is it a sedation by injection or gas. Are they going to knock you out completely by gas. there are the three different ways to treat. the latter may be a problem when taking DMARDS.

Many patients who need sedation are generally happy to get their sedation as they become frightened that their teeth will go bad on them as they await treatment

Good Luck

BOB

[Hidden]

Whilst I was taking MTX I was sent to the hospital dental treatment for extraction, however they did not give me a general but local anaesthetic. I was told to have the extraction out in the morning as we are sceptical to more blood loss and that was the reason why. Good Luck.

[earthwitch]

Not the same condition, but I have had to go to hospital to have tooth extractions under general anaesthetic in the past. I wouldn't say its common, but its also not unusual, and in your case its probably a very sensible precaution. I guess you just need to accept it. You may well be out of the hospital the same day though. They don't seem to keep folk in long these days.

[ladycaz]

Thank You all for your replies.

Hopefully I won't have to wait to long. Maybe I will get the same Dr. at the hospital who is going to look at my jaw as well as take my tooth out.

Will now sit back and wait for my appointment

[welshnut]

My dentist is refusing to do any invasive work on my teeth as he has been told because I have crps it runs the risk of being triggered by invasive procedures. I offered a letter from my specialist to say it would be safe but specialist said he could not rule out the risk. I am waiting to see my gp so we can find a way round this problem as at present I have half a front tooth after a fall at xmas. Good luck and hope you get seen quickly.

nutty

[teadrinker]

If you have to have it done under GA or sedation and you're on loads of medications and run the risk of having complications they arrange for an appointment with an anaesthetist before the surgery anyway for more assessments, on top of any pre-op assessment. They don't give general anaesthetics in dental surgeries anymore because it's too risky for everyone.

Don't worry, I had a minor jaw operation a few years ago and there seemed to be a lot of people either having procedures done under sedation in the clinic or under GA on the ward and the straight-forward cases went home pretty quickly afterwards (although I'm sure they would have kept people in who weren't up to leaving!)