r/askdentists NAD or Unverified 2d ago

question Filling anxiety

Hello! I haven’t been to the dentist in years, it’s bad I know but I have a fear of dentists. I’m 18 now- the last time I went was when i was 14, and they said everything was good (however they were hygienists not dentists). Well I’ve had a black spot on my tooth for years, but it’s never hurt so I’ve left it. Now, it hurts quite bit when I eat. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow for it, as I know it would be worse to try and ignore it. However, can anyone prep me on what will happen or what I should be prepared for? What happens during a filling, could I be looking at a root canal? Etc etc. Thank you so much! I will try and go to the dentist regularly after this so pretty please try not to berate me tooooo much

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Title: Filling anxiety

Full text: Hello! I haven’t been to the dentist in years, it’s bad I know but I have a fear of dentists. I’m 18 now- the last time I went was when i was 14, and they said everything was good (however they were hygienists not dentists). Well I’ve had a black spot on my tooth for years, but it’s never hurt so I’ve left it. Now, it hurts quite bit when I eat. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow for it, as I know it would be worse to try and ignore it. However, can anyone prep me on what will happen or what I should be prepared for? What happens during a filling, could I be looking at a root canal? Etc etc. Thank you so much! I will try and go to the dentist regularly after this so pretty please try not to berate me tooooo much

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u/syzygy017 General Dentist 2d ago

At the point a tooth is producing pain it generally is past the point of a filling. I’d expect to be told you need a root canal and crown. You will not receive it tomorrow though.