Dental extraction

VeeM

Hello

My mother with Alzheimer’s needs to have a tooth extraction. The last time she had dental work was pre COVID-19 over a year ago. At the time, although she did not like it she put up with it and allowed the procedure to happen. This time however, she is more advanced with her disease and has less understanding of what is going on. During the attempt to do the procedure, she got upset, got off the table, and tried to leave while ready to fight anyone that tried to stop her. It took my sister and me to calm her down and take her home. Anyone have any insight into this? This is the first time for us and just not sure where to go. The dentist recommended taking her to a specialist to do the procedure under sedation? Will definitely check with her neurologist but just wanted to see if others had any experience or options? 

Thank uou

dayn2nite2

If the tooth being extracted is broken or otherwise causing pain and possibility of infection, there's really no choice here.

She does need to be taken to a specialist that offers full sedation during the procedure.  This may even occur in a surgery center, it just depends on what's offered in your area.

Lrita

how did your mother do with the tooth retraction?

We are facing the same with my mom.  She has a tooth that has a large cavity in it causing her pain and the dentist said it will need to be removed, as it is too large to be repaired.

We are concerned about her being placed under anesthesia as I heard it will possibly cause a worsening of dementia.  She is in a mid-late stage as it is and do not want to push it into the next level if possible.  

One of the recent visits to the dentist, my dad took her and she was anxious and "freaked out", her blood pressure rose so high, she ended up in the hospital.  After that appointment, the Dentist recommended giving her zanex before the next appointment.  About a week ago, Dad took her since she was in extreme pain, and gave her one pill.  She did fine but was very relaxed where he had to basically carry her out.  

We are talking to the Ortho-surgeon on Tuesday but any suggestion would be helpful

Iris L.

Ask the dentist about nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

Iris

mommyandme (m&m)

My mom had to have a couple of broken teeth removed at mid/late stage 6.  The oral surgeon and his staff were amazing!  That made all the difference. They had at least three people in the room with her. I was not allowed in. One held her hand and comforted her while the other two did the extraction.  I had to help them get the initial panoramic X-ray the day before because she wouldn’t bite the thing to hold her head in place, she couldn’t understand what was being asked of her.  I physically held her head lol but they were such good sports with us.  During the procedure I could hear her screaming but the doc assured me it was only because of fear, not pain.  He was never going to put her under.  She didn’t remember anything about it.  I was extra stressed that night as she was picking at the stitches.  Thankfully the doc called that evening to check on her and reassured me that if the worst thing happened and she picked it out, she’d be ok.  Wish I had known earlier since I was not very patient about it.  

I hope the staff understands what dementia is and does.  Fortunately for us, ours had first hand knowledge of the real struggle. Good luck, let us know.