[Sydney]

Bryanna
Just wanted you to know that I sent you a PM. You just push the User CP on the top bar and you'll find it.
Thanks for your help. Just didn't want you to miss it.
Sorry for starting this thread everyone.
Also, I am still dealing with biforcation. Afraid to extract the tooth as it excites nerves and can cause permanent nerve pain. I am really in a bind.
NOt sure how much longer I can keep the tooth as it is infected and I can;t have anything done because of the burning gum problems.
Sydney

[Bryanna]

Hi Sydney,
I just sent you a reply to your PM.

When you say that you are dealing with bifucation....... do you mean that you have a tooth that has an exposed bifurcation?

I understand that you are hesitant to extract this tooth due to other issues. However, if this tooth is infected, there is definite inflammation going on and those two things may be contributing to your other oral issues. It's probably interfering with your immune systems response to dealing with the burning mouth, etc. Not only that, infection can spread from one tooth to another. So I suppose you need to weigh the risks vs the benefits to help determine if you should remove that tooth now and not wait until it becomes more of a problem. The nerve pain that you speak of may be <partially> eliminated if this infected tooth is removed because inflammation irritates nerve endings.

None of this is easy........... and you have a difficult situation going on. However, keeping an infected tooth is probably not in your best interest, especially considering all that you are trying to do to feel better.

Let us know how you are doing ... ~'.'~

Bryanna

[Sydney]

Thank you for responding so quickly and offering me suggestions for my situation. I sincerely appreciate it. I will implement your suggestions immediately. You are certainly knowledgeable about so many facets of dentistry and medicine.
Re" Biforcation. Apparently the nerves are exposed on one of my teeth. It is the third tooth in from the back on the upper right. It first was infected in Sept. and the perio. cleaned it out and I was OK. Then once again in March I had pain in that tooth. My personal dental specialist that I see for my facial pain said "the tooth is doomed". However, the local dentist said people have it for a long time. ?????????
Unfortunately because of the burning mouth, gum pain my specialist would not allow the dentist to inject the gum with antibiotics. He did allow him to treat it with flouride and I must say it helped the pain.
Thus I have an infected tooth for about 2 months. I know my specialist wants it removed but I am so afraid of causing more nerve pain. I do see your point though- it can spread and cause more problems in other teeth.
You certainly made some excellent points and I will now consider removing it.
However, I now have the TMJ issue and can't even open my mouth.
Any suggestions about that?
I have very short roots on my teeth and had adult orth. (bad move) It wrecked all my teeth - made them even looser. I have numerous missing lower teeth and cannot wear a partial (tried 2 - $4,000). Every time I put them in my mouth it triggered off facial pain. I could write a book on the dental profession and my experiences.
Thanks again for the PM and also the biforcation issue.
You are an asset to the dental profession.
Sydney

[Bryanna]

Hi Syd,
I sent you another PM

With regard to the bifurcation.......
A bifurcation is simply the area of a tooth where the two/three roots come together just below the gumline. It is a "Y" shape with the bifurcation being in the middle of that "Y".

If your nerves were exposed, you would not be able to stand the pain because it would never stop. What probably has happened is.......... the gum receeded past the bifurcation area of the tooth leaving this once covered part of the tooth exposed to the air and other elements. This will cause the tooth to be extremely sensitive to temperature, sweets, brushing, etc. It is also not covered by enamel, so it is more prone to decay, plaque and infection.

As I mentioned in a previous post, it is never good to keep an infected tooth. I understand your other concerns........ all very valid and should be taken into consideration. Perhaps as soon as the TMJ calms down, you may consider taking care of this tooth before it progresses to another area.

Syd, is this a top or bottom tooth?

Bryanna

[Sydney]

I believe it is the third tooth on the right side in the top. this scarey as it may be near the sinus cavity also. Correct? Oh - I sent you another pM. Please check when you get a chance. I'll also let you know what happens after my dr. visit this week re: my other problems.
You are exactly correct about my type of bif. It is exposed nerves causing the bacterial infection. They are very sensitive to cold, heat ,etc. Perio. must inject novicaine before cleaning that area as the roots are so exposed.
Thanks for your help.
Sydney

[Bryanna]

Is this infected tooth third from the front or the back on the upper right side? Ask your dr to give you a tooth number when you see him tomorrow.

Let me clarify my previous post about exposed nerves. if you had any EXPOSED nerves, you would not be able to tolerate the pain. Therefore, the nerves are not exposed in this tooth. The bifurcation part of the tooth is not covered by enamel, it is covered by gum tissue instead. Since your gum tissue has receeded in this area, there is nothing protecting this sensitive part of your tooth called the cementum. The nerves are inside the roots of the tooth and they are not exposed. However, without enamel or gum tissue to protect the cementum, your tooth has become sensitive to temperature, sweets and brushing.

If it is an upper molar, yes the roots may be close to the sinus floor. This can be easily detected on a radiograph. IF the radiograph looks like there may be a sinus exposure during the removal, then it is best to have it removed by someone who is very familiar with closing a sinus exposure. Sometimes the exposure is minimal and heals on it's own. Sometimes it needs to be closed with a collagen membrane. If the dentist is experienced in this type of surgery, it realy is not a big deal to undergo.

The other thing is...... if the infected tooth is in your upper arch, then for the surgery, you will not have to open as wide as you would if it were a lower tooth AND there is no pressure put on the lower jaw when removing an upper tooth. A bite block can also be used which helps you to keep your mouth open and allows your jaw to rest during the whold procedure.

Perhaps you can discuss some of these things with your dentist when you see him this week.. ;-))

Bryanna