Hi Bryanna,

Well, as you know the past few months have been tough for me. I think my anxiety issues and some personal issues certainly have not helped. Anyway, tomorrow I am FINALLY getting that tooth filled in front of the wisdom tooth extraction site. It is time. If you forgot who I am, I am the one who had their upper left wisdom tooth out by reg dentist and seemed to have trouble with healing. u recWell, the healing is going well now. There is still an indention, a good size one, but it is filling in. I am wondering since the tooth was "off to the side" if that is why it "seems" to be more indented. Anyway, I am still having discomfort in that area sometimes but I have been seen by an ENT and he does not think it is TMJ at ALL, yet he thinks I have some residual issues in my left ear tube due to a virus a few months back and that is causing pressure, ect. Anyway, I am afraid of this filling tomorrow since it is RIGHT next to the extraction site. I am afraid of the following:

1. The shot....I am going to request NO epi
2. Reading about Trig neuralgia and how that can start from a dental shot, do you know much about this? Could I have Trig neuralgia or would I be in constant pain if I had this from the wisdom tooth removal on Nov 1?
3. Can I get the cavity filled without novocaine?
4. Do you recommend I just have them "watch" the cavity, since it is smaller, until I get this whole sinus/ear issue resolved?

Any advice, as usual, would be appreciated.

Thank you!!!

Kris

Hi Kris,

Of course I remember you I am glad that the extraction site is feeling better. The indentation may stay rather large because of the angulation of that tooth in that it was in mostly tissue, not bone. So when it was removed, the tissue sunk in. I wouldn't be concerned about it if it were me.

To answer your questions...

1. The shot....I am going to request NO epi
OK, GOOD. YOU DON'T NEED EPI TO DRILL AND FILL A CAVITY.

2. Reading about Trig neuralgia and how that can start from a dental shot, do you know much about this? Could I have Trig neuralgia or would I be in constant pain if I had this from the wisdom tooth removal on Nov 1?

MOST DENTAL INJECTIONS DO NOT CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO ANY FORM OF NEURALGIA. IT IS POSSIBLE HOWEVER FOR A DENTAL INJECTION TO CAUSE A NERVE IRRITATION. BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT IS A TEMPORARY CONDITION WITH NO LASTING ILL EFFECTS.

MOST TYPES OF NEURALGIA GENERALLY HAVE SEVERAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AND PERHAPS THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE CONDITION CAN BE SO DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT. THE PAIN/DISCOMFORT CAN VARY IN FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY. SOMETIMES THE PAIN IS CONSTANT, OTHER TIMES IT IS INTERMITTENT.

3. Can I get the cavity filled without novocaine?
MAYBE? IF IT IS A SMALL, SHALLOW, ONE SURFACE CAVITY, IT'S VERY POSSIBLE YOU CAN DO IT WITHOUT ANESTHETIC. IF IT WRAPS AROUND THE TOOTH REQUIRING SOME ADDITIONAL PROCEDURAL STEPS THAT COULD PINCH THE GUM TISSUE, THEN YOU MAY PREFER TO BE NUMB FOR THAT. ASK YOUR DENTIST IF HE THINKS YOU COULD TRY DOING IT WITHOUT ANESTHETIC.

4. Do you recommend I just have them "watch" the cavity, since it is smaller, until I get this whole sinus/ear issue resolved?
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE THE WATCH OR WAIT AND SEE APPROACH. IT IS ALWAYS EASIER AND WISER TO TAKE CARE OF A CAVITY WHEN IT IS SMALL.

I think you are going to be fine. Get it done now so you have one less stressful thing to think about!

Bryanna

Thanks for the quick reply!! You always make me feel better! I thank God for you and your knowledge...I really do!!

One more question:

1. I have in the past for a filling, and my extraction, taken Lorazepam. Do you encounter many that take this before dentist work? I dont know why I am getting worried about taking this med due to possible interaction with the "shot." The dentist said it is fine......should I be concerned or just take my 0.5 pill and chill out and get this damn thing done!!! I want to do it without but dont think I can. I had chest discomfort earlier today just thinking about tomorrow's procedure!!!

God....please get me through this!!

kris,

Yes, it is fairly common for dental patients to take ativan prior to their dental appointment. I think you should take it since that is what you are accustomed to and not to worry.....you will be fine!

Bryanna

Thanks! I will update you tomorrow!

Kris,

So how did your dental visit go today?

Bryanna

Bryanna!

Ok....this is what has been going on. I went into the dentist two weeks ago, almost, and we actually talked during my appt. He did not do the filling. He checked the extraction site and said it looks good but that I have to make sure to keep the gum tissue behind the last molar (in front of extraction site) cleaner because there is bone loss there and he doesnt want an infection down the road.
As for the cavity, he said it is not small enough to do without novocaine but can wait until I am ready. The appointment is not for tomorrow at 8am and I am TERRIFIED! He is going to do it without epi and said Lorazapam is fine.

Question: I am STILL having pressure in my left facial area daily. My husband and ENT think it is sinus or ear issue. No one thinks, even the dentist, it is from the extractio site, but I am worried by doing the filling, the sinus area is going to get MORE irritated. What do you think? I am thinking of going in and discussing, again, with the dentist my fear. The ENT said I dont have a sinus infection. I just have this constant PRESSURE behind my left eye and sometimes my upper teeth feel pressure -- not alot but sometimes.

My fear is if I have a neuralgia of some sort and this shot and filling will make is worse!

Any advice!???

May I please ask what epi is? Is that a shot? ginnie

Hi Kris,

If the bone loss behind the second molar (in front of the extracted tooth) is minimal then that is normal considering the angle of the wisdom tooth. Keeping it clean by brushing and flossing thoroughly should be all that is needed to prevent any further issues there.

If the decay in this other tooth is too large to be removed without anesthetic, then I would not wait to have it done. It is always best to have the decay removed before it progresses. I think you will be fine with anesthetic without epinephrine and your ativan. I would not worry about this procedure causing any problems with your sinuses.

You will do fine.... don't put it off.... you can do this!
Check back with us tomorrow.... ok..

Bryanna

ginnie.... epi stands for epinephrine. It is an ingredient in some anesthetics used in dentistry and medicine. Some people are sensitive to it and they get a temporary, unpleasant reaction to it. It can cause heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness..... things like that. There are many other anesthetics that can be used that do not contain this ingredient.

Bryanna