I thought I may have finally talked my dentist into approving the extraction, but now have met further opposition from the periodontist, who thinks I would benefit from seeing a TMJ specialist before any "irreversible" procedures. Just have a couple of questions (Bryanna, I would really appreciate your help here!) before I decide to see him or get another referral:

1. Is this pain I've been feeling really caused by the biological width issue? It feels almost like teething pain (from what I can remember about teething!) and sometimes as if the gum is trying to squeeze the tooth out of my mouth. It hurts 24/7, though it does seem to feel more irritated after eating or drinking. I do think it's the reason I originally (and mistakenly) sought out the root canal.

2. If it IS pain from the biological width violation (and not, say, from the root canal per se, or from a possible fracture of the tooth below the gum line): will the extraction of this tooth solve the issue, or will the gum remain inflamed? Would taking the temporary off (temporarily) really prove that it is or isn't a biological width issue? How long would it take to work? and, if that doesn't work, and I have the extraction,would there be any complications from the gum problem if I had to get an implant in a few months?

3.Is it possible that the TMJ is actually causing this pain in my gum? It seems impossible that even as much as I clench, I am manifesting this "teething" pain in my gum. I do have many of the symptoms of TMJ, the jaw pain, earaches, headaches, numbness in the left side of my face. The soft diet has helped somewhat. Is it worth it to further delay this extraction, and seek out a TMJ specialist? (And spend even MORE money.)

4.Why does NOT ONE dentist (endo, perio, etc.) want to pull this tooth? Why does everyone suggest some other "last ditch" effort I should make beforehand? I feel like Dorothy in OZ; I have finally gotten in to see the wizard, but he makes me go chase down the witch's broomstick before he'll talk to me. I have told the last two dentists that I am ready to have the extraction, but they both have insisted I try "one more thing" before I pull the tooth. Is having an extraction really so horrible?

This is driving me crazy. I feel like that guy who was trapped under a rock by his arm and had to saw it off himself. It's as if when he was finally ready and willing to sacrifice the limb for his life, a doctor came up and suggested he instead try some massage to relax his muscle.

This tooth has been hurting me since last Thanksgiving; at this rate I will see another holiday season without any relief. I'm sure I could just find an oral surgeon online who would pull the tooth, but I'm confused about why my own dentists are so hesitant to agree that it's the best course of action. I would rather have them on board than feel that I am disregarding professional advice. (And it's not even as though these two had anything to do with the original situation.)

I don't get it.