Bad teeth and sick of going to dentist

Hi, I have been going to the dentist my whole life, getting fillings and more fillings. I have always tried to take good care of my teeth, especially as I got older. I am now 42 years old and in the last ten years have gotten more work on my teeth then i can take. In 2006 I got eight fillings on both the lower and upper middle teeth, and now only two years later and being told that I need to get three of these teeth crowned.

I also have an old crowned bottom right tooth that needs to be re crowned and possibly root canal work needs to be donw there as well. I do have dental insurance but it seems like every year I go over the amount allowed and end up paying out of pocket. or with a high interest care credit card. The work costs alot of money, money I do not have. And honestly I do not mind using a credit card, except that I spend money and then am told a few years later that I need more work. And to make matters even worse I have a dental phobia I hate going there. I hate sitting in that chair, I hate the needle, the drill, the cleanings,

But I go because I care about my health. I think the commercials that you see now about dental care are very scary, and I also think that the dentists try to scare you as well. My dentist told me that if i dont get a new crown right away I could wake up tommorrow in pain or it could be two years before you feel any pain.  I alnost never leave a check up without being told that i need more work done..

My teeth dont even hurt. But I dread going for a check up because I'm afraid he's going to say that I need this and I need that..!! I have a partial upper denture because I refused to get four new crowns on my front teeth. My sister had that done and five or six years later they began cracking.. She now has the same partial denture I have. Except I am about four thousand dollars richer then her. I plan on getting a consultation at a denture center nearby, but then people tell me that dentures are a pain too.. I am so fed up with dentists and my teeth. And I guess I just needed to vent all of this. sorry if I went on and on. If anyone can relate I would be glad to hear from you, and maybe some possible solutions.. The tooth that he wants to re crown has a big cavity. And I feel like I am waiting for the extreme pain to begin any minute. Thanks for reading/.

[Angelinthemorning]

I can relate! I'm 27and have only had one tooth that hasn't been either filled, crowned or given a root canal.  I despise going to the dentist.  I take excellent care of my teeth and they still fall apart.  I know people probably tell you "don't get dentures" but, unless they've gone through a lifetime of bad teeth they have no idea what you're going through.  Dentures may be a pain, but at least your teeth won't be falling apart constantly.  I say, go for the dentures.  I've searched for someone to give them to me but, so far, no doctor will even consider it when they hear my age.  So basically, I get to wait until they all fall out or there's no tooth left to even mess with. I also go over my insured amount every year in like the first two months.(and we doubled my coverage)
I probably just made you feel worst...But, you're definately not alone!!  

[StratRebel]

If you want dentures, and you cant find a private dentist to take out your teeth and make them, find a local dental school.  They will also try to convince you otherwise, but are much more likely to agree if you are adamant about what you want.

Tara, I would suggest finding an office that focuses more on prevention.  I get a lot of patients who have seen dentists multiple times over the years and have never been shown how to correctly brush and floss, which is amazing to me.  I will caution you against dentures because they do not work well for some people, however, its your choice and I know you have gotten enough of that.  I will warn you though, if you want dentures, make sure you go somewhere you will get a good set.  Avoid places that offer dentures in a day, because they are not custom made and will never fit right.  A good set of dentures should take 3-4 appts at the least.

[Christinapsych]

Instead of detures I would recommend implants. Then you don't have to fuss with and you can only do the really bad ones. Before you try all of that, you may jus have weak enamel and getting floride mouth wash and toothpaste (prescription type) may help with bad teeth.

[tara1414]

Thanks for responding,

I do use listerine and floride rinses, I brush my teeth atleast twice a day or more and I floss as well,.I get my teeth cleaned at dentist...And I still seem to always need some kind of work done..My problem mainly is that my teeth have been filled so many times that now if they get a cavity, he wants to crown and root canal them..And honestly I do not want to do that. I cant afford to keep putting more and more and more work into my teeth. Does anyone know how many types of partial dentures are available to choose from?

[StratRebel]

Here is a decent website that describes the various partial denture options:

http://www.doctorspiller.com/partial_dentures.htm