Hi Bryanna,
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, that does indeed help a lot and give an idea as to what to do next!
Well, the first dentist's plan was, to re-do the filling. That sounds like it might be a good idea from what your findings according to the x ray are as well, or am I mistaken here? If I do get it replaced, I was wondering as to if composite would be the best choice or if there is anything more durable out there (not amalgam, obviously - which my dentist won't use, since he is holistic). What about porcelain, etc? Any more durable options apart from composite?I don't like how they seem to have to be replaced every few years, and then, in the end, you loose the tooth if, like me, you don't want root canals in your mouth :-(.
Also, I wonder what the horse shoe shaped material could be... and, what to do about it? It's not like they can just dig it out, or can they? Could it be related to the extraction, like a bone spur or something?
As to replacing my missing teeth (I have 4 missing, one on each side, two were root canals, two cracked possibly due to my jaw being out of place for a very long time and me grinding my teeth - I have a temporary gel cushion now for nighttime and will get a custom guard once replacement teeth are in). I am thinking about implants, or removable partial denture. I have an appt. with my oral surgeon tomorrow to determine how extraction sites looked. I had bone grafts done in all of them, and only one of them (which was an old root canal) had some infection. I know of the possible risks of implants... on the other hand, I know that jaw bone will reabsorb and if I do need to get rid of more teeth in the future, I don't know what would happen if I lost more and more jaw bone... hence, I am really thinking about implants as well. Bridge, I do not want anymore. Did not like mine at all, and it just does not seem very durable (I would only ever want a Carlson bridge).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryanna
Hi Meera Dasi,
Did either dentist take a periapical xray? That would give a picture of the tooth in it's entirety as the problem could be at the apex which is not seen on the bitewings. The bitewing xrays only show in between the teeth and how the teeth relate to those they are chewing against.
In the first xray it shows a widening of the periodontal ligament on #4 on the mesial side, closest to #5 space. This can indicate inflammation which may be the result of how this tooth is being used for chewing. Only the distal portion of this tooth is hitting against the lower tooth #30 putting unnatural pressure on tooth #4. This affects the ligament on the mesial side as the tooth is shifting from it's original position in the bone. It affects the distal side, closest to #5, as it's being over used for chewing. So both sides would tend to be sore on and off.
In the second xray, it is questionable as to if the filling on the mesial side of #4 is open or there is decay at the top of the filling towards the gum line. It is also apparent in this xray that #4 has elevated gum tissue exposing some of the root surface which could cause temperature sensitivity and/or soreness at the gum line.
I do see something that looks like material or something present in the gum tissue in the #5 space closest to #4. It is more evident in the second xray as it appears as a white shadowy spot shaped like a horseshoe. If this is something embedded in the tissue, that could be causing or contributing to your symptoms which sound to be inflammation related.
So what is your plan to replace #5 since you had the carlson bridge removed?
Bryanna
|