Dentist: Hi all. Just come from dentist and I am... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,121 members37,704 posts

Dentist

JJackdaw profile image
15 Replies

Hi all. Just come from dentist and I am not happy! One of my teeth is very loose and causing me a lot of pain, but would he help me, no he wouldn't . He told me because of the medication I was on I would have to see my GP before he would treat me. Now I have to get a letter giving him permission to go ahead. I told him that I have not yet started taking alendronic acid pills but to no avail. Now I have to suffer until next week! Grrrrr I feel so mad! Sorry peeps , just had to have a rant. 😱

Written by
JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
15 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi jjackdaw,

Sounds a bit off to me! What was your dentist's intended action? Does your tooth need extracting? I know they need to be aware of when you are taking AA and Prednisolone because of possible problems, but this seems to a very over the top reaction. My dentist has been aware of me taking these medicines for almost three years and has never refused to treat me, or required anything from my GP. Think your dentist is risk averse! Hope you get it sorted quickly, have you tried talking to your GP or his/her surgery? DorsetLady

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to DorsetLady

He said something about (not sure if this is right) necrosis of jawbone? He's a new dentist to me, Italian or Spanish? Not sure, but he speaks quietly and broken English. Very nice though. Anyway, am waiting for GP to ring back. My tooth is almost hanging on its nerve and I don't don't fancy pulling it myself lol. But if I can't stand the pain anymore, I will.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to JJackdaw

If he is unwilling to treat you then ask him, or your GP to refer to the Maxillofacial Clinic at local hospital. DL

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to JJackdaw

If you are taking alendronic acid there is a risk in the long term of necrosis of the jaw bone. But powerful drug though AA is it doesn't have an effect until you start taking it!!!!

There is also a small risk of it happening when you are taking pred - but it is after being on doses above 20mg/day for a long period or a total cumulative dose of over 2000mg - which I suppose is 3 or 4 months.

I have never come across a dentist refusing to do an extraction because of pred - I was worried about having a wisdom tooth out last year because I'd been on pred for 4 years, most of the time at well over 10mg/day but the local dentist wasn't in the least perturbed and whipped it out in a flash, it was nothing like as bad as I expected.

If it is really uncomfortable you could try calling the health authority and asking if there is an emergency dental service. Or is there a dental hospital near you? Their emergency service is usually second to none - and if they don't know what they are doing, noone does. Apart from any other consideration - I bet you have to pay for a letter from your GP...

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to PMRpro

They best not charge for a letter after the runaround I've had to do. Going to try my mothers favourite and rub some tincture of clove. It's vile but it helps. If I can hold out til Tuesday I will because I want a replacement. Don't want to look gummy lol. That's a pet hate mine - people with missing teeth. Urrgghh!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to JJackdaw

Yes, know what you mean! Big smiles and dark and very very crooked ones make me cringe too. I had some teeth removed when I was 19 and fought with a brace for a few years - the gaps aren't visible and the front ones are quite reasonable. Apart from the wisdom tooth last year I have the rest. Losing that wisdom tooth was a wonderful relief though - it was affecting my bite and making my shoulder and neck pain excruciating. SO much better now :-)

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

He's refusing to treat you because of a medication that's on your list but you aren't yet taking? That's nuts!

Is there the option of another dentist?

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to PMRpro

No pmrpro. It took me ages to get into this practice as my dentist retired. He will pull tooth with my GP s say so on Tuesday. Honestly, I feel like a child, not a 63yr old.

Celtic profile image
CelticPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to JJackdaw

Well it's a pity you're being left to suffer, JJackdaw, but at least this dentist will, hopefully, learn from your experience.

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to Celtic

Hi Celtic. I think it may be the escalating sue them culture over here, the medical profession are top of the hit list so it's no wonder they proceed with caution. No, I don't blame him, just a bit peeved. Lol

AndyTheMac profile image
AndyTheMac

Hi JJackdaw

I just had a similar experience. I needed a tooth extraction and my dentist was wary because I was on a high dose of Pred (50mg at the time). She rang my GP who suggested I had it done at the hospital. It was all arranged the same day. The did it with a local anaesthetic and no immediate problems. The risk of jaw necrosis was explained but the hospital dentist didn't seem bothered by it.

The problems I had later were not related to my medication (pred and alendronic acid). I had Dry Socket and they managed to chip my jaw and a couple of fragments had to work their way out!

I think it's only a significant risk if you have a general anaesthetic.

Hope it gets sorted soon, tooth pain on top of everything else !!!

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to AndyTheMac

Hi Andy. Got an appt for Tuesday now so I guess I can wait until then, that's if tooth doesn't fall out first. Been rubbing clove tincture on it which has relieved pain somewhat. I'm on 7mg pred now reducing to 6mg tmrw so should be okay. Thanks for reply and you have a good day.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to JJackdaw

I'd wait to reduce until the tooth is sorted if I were you. Even if you LIKE going to the dentist it is still stressful, especially if it is for more than just a clean. Better safe than sorry...

JJackdaw profile image
JJackdaw in reply to PMRpro

You're right pmrpro, perhaps I will give it another week before reducing. Dentist doesn't bother me and I couldn't have more stress than living next door to noisy neighbours. If they're not fighting or blasting out their music or baby screaming theyre banging doors or clomping on there uncarpeted floor. Stress! Come stay with me for a week and you'll be straight back on 80mg pred. Lol.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to JJackdaw

Delightful!

You may also like...

dentist !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went to dentist for checkup last week and she said one of my teeth was crumbling.....normally great...

Dentist!

I have just found out at my latest visit to my dentist, that I need 3 fillings! I haven't had one...

Doctor and dentist appointment yesterday

.11 years away😢 In the afternoon dentist. Check up went okay just my molar with the abscess he did...

X rays and visit to the dentist.

doing some creative hobbies but: When I go to my dentist she is usually keen to carry out an...

Extreme reaction to injection at dentist

I often have my teeth out, so am no stranger to injections at dentist. Had to have four teeth out...