"I seriously will be thinking of this thread when I go in, not kidding. It’ll be like meditation. I’ll keep thinking of your words, good energy sent, and support. :)"

This is how I got through my procedure. I had a "mantra" I repeated to myself the whole time. Eyes closed.

Did I miss the date and time of your procedure? We can send you good thoughts. I believe it helps. It certainly doesn't hurt.

Thank you, Tartan ... it’s Mon, Mar 1 at 8:30. But I’m going to call them tomorrow to see if I can get in sooner. I sure hope so. I’m ready to get this over with!

One more thing...I had a wonderful endodontist (referred by my regular dentist) who did a couple of root canals. He gave me a noise cancelling headset to listen to soothing music while he worked. Smoothest dental work I ever had.

I have a very small mouth and it’s not easy when someone is working on my molars. I was so relaxed and calm I couldn’t believe anything was going on. I usually am very tense whenever the drill starts. It drives me up a wall when I hear that high pitched whine. I’ve had cleanings that were worse than these root canal procedures.

Best of luck to you. I think everyone is correct. The worst is behind you, so removing the temp crown and fitting the new one should be easy peasy. Just make sure everything feels good before you leave. If anything at all feels off, let the dentist know right away.

Jinx, you’ve received great advice here, and I’ll just say that WE ALL deserve medical care providers who listen, hear and respect what we, the customer, say. It really pisses me off when they don’t listen or downplay concerns, and after your new crown is successfully and uneventfully placed, never go back there again, write him a letter detailing your disappointment in his abject lack of caring and professionalism and write a critical Yelp or whatever review. Women won’t start to be heard about pain and anxiety unless and until we demand it and create consequences for dismissive, disrespectful actions and attitudes. You may also find taking such action cathartic, I do, but YMMV.

Outside and lakeaffect, thank you!

I too was nervous about getting a crown due to some bad experience stories I heard. Mine has been fine. But I will say, finding a good dentist (or doctor) is sometimes like looking for a needle in a haystack. Having moved around quite a bit, I've had my fair share of dentists. It's really a mixed bag. But they do make all the difference in the world.

I certainly don't like all the discomfort that goes with being in the dentists chair, but i soldier through it. Is there some type of mild anti-anxiety medication you could take before the procedure? Maybe work with your medical doctor or psychiatrist on that . . .

Rationally, I don't think a crown increases the likelihood that you will choke. I'd definitely try to find a way to tamp down your anxieties with that. I'm not sure what works, I've tried the breathing stuff . . . also tried bio-feedback. Perhaps your anxiety is getting worse because there are a lot of anxiety inducing things going on in our society. One has to work very hard to stay focused on things that are calming . . . I'd treat them as separate issues. One is fixing your tooth, the other is treating your dyspahgia. You didn't mention seeking treatment for that, have you tried anything that helps?

Thank you, pink!

I have been to specialists and they wanted to put a device (a balloon thing) in my esophagus to open it up more. That thought terrifies me. I did get tested for various things and scopes put down there ... right at that time, my late husband was diagnosed with cancer. I just never pursued it afterwards. I know I’m going to have to address it again.

I am so sorry you are going through this fear and anxiety!!! I don't know if it helps, but I have severe anxiety about dental work. When I was about 18 I had my first fillings done and my dentist hit a nerve with the anesthesia needle. It was the most excruciating pain and left half of my face paralyzed for about a week. The dentist couldn't explain what had happened or whether I would get better and it was so terrifying for me. I have since found another (much better in my opinion) dentist and had additional work done. Also, my teeth are quite sensitive and take a very long time to stop hurting after dental work. The last two times I had work done, it took me about 5 weeks to begin eating solid food again because of the pain.

I have one crown and the real crown feels far better than the temporary did. It also feels very secure. I actually prefer the feeling of the crown (with my tongue) to the fillings because the top feels more tooth-like and normal. Also, make sure your bite feels comfortable still a few days after the crown is in. It's difficult to feel the bite while your mouth is still numb and it's completely ok to go back in to have any bite issues resolved.

I think it's ok if you need to go slow before you start eating solid food. As I mentioned, it took me about 5 weeks to have my pain low enough to chew again. I don't know if it would help, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite blended soup recipes that I've been enjoying in the cool weather. I highly recommend making yourself some really delicious soft foods and not punishing yourself if you need time before you feel ready to eat solid food.

• https://cookieandkate.com/classic-tomato-soup-recipe/
• https://www.loveandlemons.com/roasted-red-pepper-soup/

And while I do not regularly consume these due to the calories, these were very helpful for me to get some protein and sustenance into me when I just couldn't handle eating solids.

• https://www.bolthouse.com/products/beverages/cafe/
• https://www.bolthouse.com/products/beverages/protein-plus/
• https://www.bolthouse.com/products/beverages/fruit/

I think I worked myself up to yogurt, and then cottage cheese and oatmeal. Take your time eating slow so you feel comfortable. You can get through this!!

@Jilly if you've had a scope, the balloon shouldn't be much different. I have a friend and her husband had something with his esophagus (I think stricture might be the word??) and he would have trouble with choking. I remember they were scared to death he had something awful going on. He had a scope and the problem was discovered. He had the procedure to open his esophagus up more. It was wonderful! He had no side effects from the procedure, no more choking, etc. That has been some time ago - at least 10 years and probably more. As far as i know, he has never had any more issues with the problem. You may want to check into it again.

Pricklypear, thank you so much, and for the links, too! I’ve been eating the same soft foods for a couple of weeks now and am so tired of them. Eating has become a dreaded chore — anxiety over Lego tooth falling out with every bite, chewing on one side, taking forever to get through eating anything.

No wonder you’re anxious about dental work, what an awful ordeal you went through! :(

@Jilly: Have you considered getting an implant? Im pretty sure that (depending on your age, of course) crowns don’t last forever. So while the upfront cost will be more for an implant versus a crown, the long-term cost might be the same as or lower than having the tooth crowned.

I'm sorry Jinx. I have nothing useful I can add, other than I think you're awesome. 😊 Hoping for smooth sailing from here for you.

Tina, thank you for sharing that! I definitely will pursue it.

Sammy, no, I really went into this completely ignorant! I will ask about it, thank you!

Patrice, thank you for that ... the feeling is mutual. ❤️

{{{{{{{Jinx}}}}}}}}}

Hugs back, Zalco, thank you. :)

Just want to wish you good luck for your new crown. May it be a forgettable new gizmo in your mouth and you can eat yummy food again!! I have no advise to offer, but you've received the best already :) Hang in there!

Thank you, SEASEA! I want some nachos sooooo bad. 😄

Jinx I totally understand! My best friend has an esophageal scarring disorder and has had the balloon procedure several times. It's a very difficult situation to live with. She may have to have replacement surgery, which is even more of a nightmare. Well, just one step at a time.

I would continue to seek the best medical advice for the esophagus problem though. My friend's esophagus was the size of a 6 month old baby's by the time she got diagnosed . . . and she's a six foot tall adult.

She did see great improvement with the balloon procedure, but for her, the scarring is recurring . . .

For those of us with chronic health issues, we just have to take it one moment at a time.

Aww, pink, I’m so sorry for your friend! I sure hope something can help her someday!

You have received some very good advice. Mine would be to make sure you clean and floss really well around your new crown. I didn't do as well as I could have and I needed up with decay under the crown, and my tooth broke off at the root (second form back like yours). I am going through the implant process right now. I will be waterpik-ing and flossing the heck all back in there from now on!

Ahh, straitlover, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with that. Thank you for sharing about it! I hope it all goes well for you. :)

Not a big deal really, just a pain to my pocket book. :)

I don't think an implant would alleviate your fear of the crown coming loose. I have one and I LOVE it, but it's really just a crown glued onto the metal peg they implant.

I hope the collective experiences of all who have posted about their success with crowns will help you feel less worried. I suspect the permanent crown will feel vastly better than the temporary. I think they are made with a much better material, in a lab instead of the dentist's office and fitted to last forever instead of a few weeks. At least that's been my experience.

“I hope the collective experiences of all who have posted about their success with crowns will help you feel less worried.”

Oly, it has, so, so much. Besides the great advice and well wishes, the sharing of experiences with it. Seeing how it’s gone for everyone else. It’s very comforting.❤️

I am so sorry, Jinx. I’m thinking of you and hoping you can get the permanent crown sooner. I don’t like going to the dentist either due to my tmj. I’ve actually gotten to the point where I take a quarter of a Xanax before my appointments now.

I also wear a night guard since I’m a grinder, so be sure and ask your dentist about that. I ended up having to have gum surgery due to my grinding before I began wearing a night guard. I had no idea the grinding was causing my gum recession.

Thank you, texanjana! I’m def going to ask about a guard, I’m wondering if grinding might’ve been a factor in all this!

To me, it's a very important situation, particularly as one ages, to develop a good relationship with one's dentist, and have good protocols for one's oral health. All kinds of issues crop up, and having a good rapport with the dentist is key. Not all dentists are alike in that regard. I've had good and bad ones, but a key factor for "good" in my mind, is the dentist takes your concerns seriously and works with you on them . . . and has thought through a diverse set of problem solving ideas . . . not just the "one size fits all" approach which is all to common in the medical profession. I get why it exists, common solutions to common problems is efficient, but a good dentist can do that well but also think "out of the box" when needed . . .

For example, I have developed serious sinus problems in my late midlife, and even though it's not strictly a tooth issue, it's affecting my teeth and gums and my current dentist has been able to offer some ideas on that as well, since the two problems are connected . . . and also my sinus problems, like so many things, are chronic, so one is going for management instead of a cure, much like what you are dealing with.

Jinx, Thinking of you today. Hope it went well and that you are enjoying the new crown! I also hope you get to celebrate with a big plate of nachos!

Tish, thank you so much for the kind thoughts ... I’m a dummy and had the date wrong. I get it Friday at 8:30. My tongue and I are so ready to get this dang temp out! 😄

Thank you again. :)

👑 congratulations!

I'm SO very glad to see you posting this, Jinx! Glad this is behind you, and you can focus on much more enjoyable things now! Glad the process itself went so smoothly. Here's to your future nacho feast! :-)

Thanks, ladies!

Ida — I’m seriously craving some good ole Mexican Inn. 😁

So happy for you!!!! I know that sense of relief.

Glad it's over!! Haha that poor guy. I bet he was shaking, knowing you were nervous!

OMG ... those little Frito-like chips at Mexican Inn ... I'm drooling now. See what you've done, woman! ;-D

WTG, Jinx!

Thata girl! Hey, after a painful procedure was done on me I drove straight to our favorite Mexican restaurant in the city and got a ton of food to go. I deserved it, as do you!

I’m so glad everything worked out ok, Jinx. I also have a real fear of dentists and especially of getting a crown. Nauseous fear! And so I really couldn’t read about it or contribute anything positive. earlier. So glad you’re doing ok now, though!

So happy to hear this, Jinx! Glad the old Lego tooth is gone and you didn’t have such an awful experience.

Thank you, everyone! :)

Lynn, I hope you’ll never have to get one, but if you do, I’ll come hold your hand!

Today’s part was so much easier than the first one, I didn’t even need any numbing. It’s feeling super tender and throbbing right now, but I’m sure it will for a day or so.

Hooray!

Oh, Jinx I am so glad everything went well!

Great news! You know, you can still go to your Mexican restaurant and have two margaritas. Maybe some nice soft beans with cheese on them too. Glad it went well!

So glad to hear all went well. I have been wondering how you did. I have the same fears so I do understand. Im in the process of having three lower front teeth replaced by either a permanent bridge or implants because of bone loss. It has been a long process and a lot longer to go. Any way Im glad you got through just fine.

Satine, keep me updated! I hope it all goes well. ❤️

Congrats!!! Glad it went well. Now I want Mexican at 1 in the morning.

Congratulations I'm so glad for you! Plus I'm impressed! You reassured someone who pulled out your temporary cap. It certainly sounds as if you've put everything in perspective!

Yay! You did it! Glad it went well for you.

wahoooo!! Glad it all went well!