Originally Posted by gdmcor

Hey guys,

What a day at the dentist's today! First I was drilled by one of the assistants as to why I didn't follow the advise of the endodontist to get a retreatment on tooth 3.

I told her that it was my choice to rid myself of the infection instead of prolonging the inevitable and possibly making it worse. She just went on and on about the actual dates of extraction and who did what, then finally I had had enough!

I asked her if there was a problem and that she was being very judgemental and could we get on with why I was there - to get my permanent crown put on! I told her that I thought I would get a little more sympathy for what I had been through! Boy, that felt good.

She then backed off and got on with the reason I was there.
My dentist soon appeared and asked me how I was, to which I replied that I was feeling a little bit judged.

Since they have cubicles there and not separate rooms, she said she had heard it and tried to explain why they were asking extra questions about procedures and making sure everything was down in writing.

I really like this dentist, as she always sticks behind the patient and reassures them that their choices are right, and no one can make that kind of decision for them.

She thought that I should have a "bacterial removal cleaning and xrays" before doing anything else, and I agreed. Of course I got the permanent crown on today. Next Wednesday I go in for the cleaning.

After seating the crown, I loosened up some and felt a lot more comfortable, plus I had a different assistant at that time!
I told the dentist about the extractions and how easy one was, and for the other one I had IV sedation because it was a little more complicated.

I told her that I never wanted to have another root canal! She then told me that she had a retreated root canalled tooth, and I asked her if it felt better now. Her honesty really struck me. She told me that it felt okay only some of the time, and that it would eventually need to be extracted. I could tell by how she said it, that it was very hard for her to admit that.

Anyway, I'm feeling good now about staying with this dentist and am ready to move on to the cleaning, then the rest of the crown work.

I think that having a human interaction, something you can relate to with a doctor is so good for improving professional relations.

Sorry for being long winded! I'll be in touch.... Gretchen

Originally Posted by gdmcor

Hi Bryanna,

I felt very good about being open today and expressing some feelings and thoughts on the matter, even if I did ruffle some feathers!

That assisant has always been very vocal and over the top with her opinions on "not doing exactly as one should" with their dental hygiene and cleanings. She comes across as being very judgemental and I don't think it's a good attitude to have in that profession.

Anyway, now I have another question for you.

My new crown is on the back upper molar, tooth #2, right next to an extraction area.

While it was being cleaned and prepped for seating today, it was very sensitive. I did ask the dentist if she got near the nerve when drilling, and she said yes, but hopefully not too close.

Now that it's on, I still have sensitivity to cold and hot fluids, even the air! So, my question - Is this normal and for how long could this last?

This is why I hate getting crowns, I'm always so worried that the dentist will drill too much and get too close to the nerve.

Again, what's your experience with this? Thank you!!
Gretchen

Originally Posted by gdmcor

Hi Bryanna,

It's a permanent crown that took about 2 weeks to get in, so I'm sure it was made in a dental lab. By the way, it's a gold crown, which I've never had before. The dentist said they are stronger?

I just noticed today that it doesn't cover part of the top of my tooth near the gum. I find that very strange!

Thanks for any advice you can give me! I don't know how I'd be getting through all this without your help.
Gretchen

Originally Posted by gdmcor

Hi Bryanna, I had the temporary crown on for about 8 weeks, due to appointments with specialists, the 2 extractions 3 weeks apart, then a few weeks of healing time before getting the perm crown, which is right next to the last extracted tooth. I don't know if that makes any difference, but I thought I'd tell you.

Anyway, the temp crown was sensitive for a few days, as I recall, but then drinking hot coffee or cold drinks didn't bother it. I didn't chew on it at all, and still don't, because the tooth next to it and the tooth below it are both missing. Those are the 2 extractions I had. So, I have this lone tooth, not connecting or connected to any other. It feels weird!

I do have 2 teeth left that should probably be drilled and crowned that have mercury in them, but they are on the opposite side of this newly crowned tooth. I am very worried about getting this done now though, because of the chance that they will be prepped too much, thus needing root canals, which I don't want!

My dentist likes to get every bit of mercury and decay out of a tooth, so I'm sure she probably gets a little too close to the nerve in preparing a tooth.

Today is the third day of having the new gold crown on, and it is less sensitive than it was originally, but still reacts as a sharp pain when drinking hot or cold fluids. It doesn't linger though, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

Thank you for all your help, as always, Gretchen

Originally Posted by Addy

Wow, I found this thread particularly fascinating and informative... thank you to all who are participating, especially Bryanna! I've been a member of these forums for year and am always amazed when I come across this type of support and knowledge!

Most early onset gum disease can be brought under control with non surgical dental treatment so long as your daily oral home care is thorough and you have your teeth professionally cleaned 2-3 times a year. In some cases, it may be wise to remove teeth that are in the guarded to hopeless category because they usually cannot be made healthy again and will continue to infect the gums. By getting rid of the chronic irritants, the mouth has a chance to heal and become well again.

Your tooth that you mentioned has been root canaled and crowned..... this is what is referred to as in the guarded to hopeless category. The older the root canal, the more hopeless the outcome. Heroic and expensive efforts would be made to build up a tooth and put on a new crown only to inevitably lose the tooth anyway because it is infected. The systemic consequences, meaning the health risks of keeping teeth in this condition are something to think about for the long term.

The tooth that you said keeps hurting and swelling is in the same "risk" category as the one I just mentioned. Infected teeth cannot be cured of their infection and they will infect other teeth and other areas of the mouth. So irrelevant of what other dental treatment you have done for your gum disease, etc.... you will continue to have infection brewing from any infected teeth. I hope I have explained that okay...

I know you are dreading tomorrow.... I hope I have armed you with some good information that you are able to utilize when you see your dentist.

Keep in touch...
Bryanna






I must admit I have been very remiss in visiting my dentist regularly - my life spiraled downwards (depression) and the last thing I thought of was my health (duh!) for 5 years. This last year has really changed for me... so off I went to the dentist. (I have an excellent dental plan so money wasn't my excuse). The cleaning had to take place over 2 sessions. I was told that I had the start of gum disease. The dentist looked at a tooth that has been causing me off and on pain for years but didn't do anything about it. She said I had a few cavities and being who I am, I didn't get them fixed (yet). She also wanted to send me to specialist to fix a tooth which had had both a root canal and crown because the crown had fallen off and there isn't much tooth to build it back up. I will follow up with this.

During my camping vacation, a few weeks ago, my mouth became horribly infected with pain - an upper molar was the cause - its been causing me pain off and on for about 2 years. I was once prescribed an anti-biotic to bring the swelling down and then... nothing. No follow-up ... but the pain continued to occur regularly - it just didn't flare up again so I figured it was just something I would have to deal with.
WELL, this was not a good decision as my mouth swelled up as if I had Bells-Palsy! Honestly, it was horrible... throbbing..and so, I went to a dentist who prescribed double anti-biotics and told me to visit my dentist as soon as I get home.

The swelling is down and the pain disappeared... I got busy and left it a week... here I am, now, 1 week off anti-biotics and the pain is back....

so... off to the dentist I go, tomorrow! I'm concerned about gum disease and whether or not this tooth will be played around with for a while or whether or not it will be pulled.

Anyway.... just wanted to thank you all for this most enlightening thread! I'll be back!!

thanks!