Hi Bryanna,
Thank you for the detailed explanations.
I saw my oral surgeon today, and he took half an hour (originally I only had a 10 minute follow-up to see how extraction site 29 was healing, which had only been extracted 3 and a half weeks ago) to talk to me about my symptoms, and also about how to proceed for possible implants.
He has a 3D Scan from a month ago and looked at that thoroughly as well as at the newest x rays (the ones I sent you), and said, extraction site 5 looks good to him, gum looks perfect, feels perfect... his only concern was, that I may be hitting the area hard or clench due to 29 now missing. He though that maybe clenching due to the recent extraction of 29 could have caused Nr4 to bruise.He suggested I see an orthodontist, to get some further evaluation of tooth nr 4. He gave me a referral, and I was able to see the orthodontist today, as well. She took some very thorough tests of nr 4 plus the teeth around the area, with cold test and also some electric current testing, she said, x rays looked clear, gums as well, tooth responded to all testing - also, bite test and knocking the tooth did not really give much of a reaction from the tooth. I say, not much, since it did feel a tad more tender when banged with the metal hammer than the surrounding teeth, but not painful really, just kind of bruised maybe?
She did not recommend a root canal at this point, as all her testing did not reveal the need for one at this point, and she wants me to see her again for a (free of charge) follow-up in a month (unless pain worsens).
I also got an email reply from my general dentist, and he again said, he does not see anything wrong with the tooth or the filling apart from the filling being very deep :-(. Which makes me wonder - he suggested, maybe it was "dying slowly".
In regards to the implants, my surgeon did say that I should speak to the dentist who will be making the crowns to see whether he would suggest any othodontia. He did agree that my lower spaces especially, are smaller and the crown would have to be made a bit smaller than my original teeth in those spaces. He also said that sometimes, it is still very well possible to do it and it might only be an aesthetic issue. So, will have to speak to the dentist about that.
He further said that they do this thing (sorry, I don't know the professional term) some weeks before the implant surgery, where they do a computer generated surgery first and this will be sent in to certain specialists, who then will determine the best way to do the surgery (to prevent accidental nerve-damage etc). He said it was not absolutely necessary in my case, but he said if financially it was not too much of an extra burden, he would suggest me to include this step.
He also suggested to do the implants in about 2 months from now, but hold off on tooth nr 5 until it is figured out what is going on with 4 (and in case I will have to remove 4 as well - since I will not opt for root canals anymore, ever).
You know what, I just rememberd that tooth nr 4 was the tooth that the Carlson bridge was attached to for 9 months - and it had always caused me a great deal of pain and discomfort, it had moved my jaw and teeth out of alignment and I remember when I had it, the gum around 4 would feel irritated on and off all the time! I never knew that 4 had such a big filling in it, because I would have asked my dentist whether he really thought it was a good idea to attach a bridge to an already compromised tooth
.
Anyways, I am not really sure at this point what to do next... just wait it out and take some ibuprofen (I don't tolerate anything stronger very well)? I kind of just wish something WAS wrong with the tooth so I could get it pulled and be done with this pain. I am also scared due to the fact that it has such a big filling already - does that not mean it is headed for a root canal sooner or later, which for me would mean extraction?
I am so grateful for your advice, Bryanna, I really feel you "know your stuff" and you seem so genuine, open and honest. It is so good to be able to openly talk about these things!
