Hi,

I am a type 1 diabetic diagnosed 2004, I had thrush in my mouth before diagnosis and unfortunately had a hard time getting diagnosed and ended up in hospital very sick and finally found out what was wronng. A few months after being diagnosed I went to the dentist, I needed lots of fillings as the high sugars had done a lot of damage. Even though I have good teeth and have always looked after them, brushing, flossing, etc. About 4 years after diagnosis I had pain in gums and face, a burning stinging pain and went to the dentist who said nothing was wrong on xrays. That weekend I was in pain so I found another dentist who said he couldnt see anything either but gave me some antibiotics. I felt slightly better, I was going abroad for xmas and on the plane my face swelled up I found a dentist in Spain who ssaid I had a huge abscess on a tooth on my lower jaw and no wonder I was in pain! He removed the abscess over 3 hours, put antibiotics in it and got me to come back a few days later. When I did he put a temp filling and told me to get RCT when I got home. I did this and thought nothing of it.

Over the last few years I have had a couple of what I thought were mild gum infections and taken antibiotics or sometimes they just went on their own.

2-3 weeks ago I started getting occassional burning sensation through my inside cheek, gum and jaw on the right. Gradually the pain was more often and more intense, I went to the dentist who took xrays who said that there was an infection my RCT tooth that needed to be redone.This would cost €850 plus €500 for a crown. I told him i couldnt afford it and he put me on antibiotics and said get it done as soon as.

I live in Ireland and unless you have a medical card you get no help with paying for this dental treatment, I work partime, have a lot of debt and no way of getting this money.

By Tuesday I was now in pain eating, then drinking hot drinks and by Thurs even room temp water hurt so bad. I rang one of the specialist endodontist my dentist had given me the number of and made an appointment for the day after (Friday) by Friday I was in agony, when I explained everything to the endodonist he kept telling me that the pain I was describing would not be due to infection or tooth and sounded more like a diabetic neuropathy in the dental area and face! He wrote up a referral let, I tried to explain tht the pain I was describing was present when I had my abscess a few years ago and went awa once it was treated he ignored me.

Finally he looked in my mouth and with cold sensation test he found that it was actually the tooth beside the original RCT tooth that was causing pain and he did an emergency RCT on that, I had to borrow €300 from my mother to pay and I have to find €300 and go back this Friday to finish the treatment. He told me I needed to have the other one redone as soon as, I said I couldnt afford it and could I get it out and all he kept saying was you will have a gap and thats not a good idea. He prescibed anti infams and told me to stop taking the antibiotics and only take them if my face swelled up.

Anyway I have done lots of research and I am now terrified of what RCT is doing to me and my diabetes. I have felt unwell for weeks with the pain and also run down and exhasuted with blood sugars unstable. I have made an appointment with my original dentist who is a very nice woman but was unavailable the day I went for the xrays 3 weeks ago, Im going to talk to her about getting a partial denture for the first RCT tooth and having an extraction because I can't afford all the work it needs. She can't fit me in until next Wednesday (13th Feb) and Im at the endodontist to finish the second one Friday. Ideally I would like to have them both pulled but I know my dentist will talk me out of that as its just had the RCT.

Anyway sorry for such a long post Im just so stressed, crying in pain last week and terrified of what to do what not do this week, plus theres not much help here in this country all dentist seem to think havig a RCT and keeping your tooth is the be all and end all for all their patients even with autoimmune deseases.

Im looking for some help/advice. Is the burning stabbing pain a neuropathy or am I right that it is an infection connected problem?

If my dentist will take the original problem tooth out will she take the periodontal ligament and infected bone out? When I asked the receptionist at the clinic if I would need antibiotics before extraction she said the infection usually comes out with the tooth but you can discuss it with the dentist, this gives me the impression it would just be numb the area and yank it out leaving everything else in there.

Should I have stopped taking the antibiotics Friday on the Endodontist orders?

There were no xrays taken of any of the other teeth beside these bad ones and Im worried they could all be infected! Is this possible?

I wanted to see my doctor to discuss how this is affecting my diabetes and immune system but she cant fit me in until Tues 12th. So the only health professional Il be seeing in the next week is the endodontist.

I was off work all last week with pain and exhaustion, felt a little better over the weekend after emergency RCT and pain killers, went to work yesterday and by 1pm was exhausted with really bad pain in head and eyebrow and face on right side and was out of breath walking up the stairs. Im 32 and usually quite fit! Also the money situation is stressing me out I still owe €300 and would need €500 to crown it. Never mind the €850 and €500 they want for the other tooth! If I get that one extracted it's about €100 annd could get a partial denture for €120.

Anyway Im rambling again any help much appreciated.

Hi Jeanie,

FYI... I am in the dental profession and think I can be of some help to you. I can at least explain and make sense of what has happened since the onset of your dental problem to why you are in this predicament now. I will post in caps after <<your statements>> to make it easier to follow.

<<I am a type 1 diabetic diagnosed 2004, I had thrush in my mouth before diagnosis and unfortunately had a hard time getting diagnosed and ended up in hospital very sick and finally found out what was wrong. A few months after being diagnosed I went to the dentist, I needed lots of fillings as the high sugars had done a lot of damage. Even though I have good teeth and have always looked after them, brushing, flossing, etc.>>

SOME DIABETICS REQUIRE PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE MORE OFTEN THAN NON D BECAUSE DIABETES IMPAIRS THE WHITE BLOOD CELLS WHICH ACT AS THE BODY'S MAIN DEFENSE AGAINST BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN THE MOUTH. SO A SIMPLE ORAL SORE OR BUILD UP OF PLAQUE COULD BECOME A HUGE PROBLEM FOR A DIABETIC AND CAVITIES CAN BECOME RAMPANT VERY EASILY. THRUSH CAN ALSO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET UNDER CONTROL AND MAKE YOU VERY ILL. ORAL HYGIENE NEEDS TO BE VERY THOROUGH AND THE DIET NEEDS TO BE GEARED TOWARDS KEEPING THE INSULIN IN BALANCE.

<<About 4 years after diagnosis I had pain in gums and face, a burning stinging pain and went to the dentist who said nothing was wrong on xrays. That weekend I was in pain so I found another dentist who said he couldnt see anything either but gave me some antibiotics.>>

IN A DIABETIC THESE SYMPTOMS ALWAYS MEAN SOMETHING IS BREWING. PERHAPS THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MORE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM DONE AT THAT TIME AS THE ANTIBIOTIC WAS JUST A BAND AID.

<<I felt slightly better, I was going abroad for xmas and on the plane my face swelled up I found a dentist in Spain who ssaid I had a huge abscess on a tooth on my lower jaw and no wonder I was in pain! He removed the abscess over 3 hours, put antibiotics in it and got me to come back a few days later. When I did he put a temp filling and told me to get RCT when I got home. I did this and thought nothing of it.>>

THERE IS NO WAY POSSIBLE TO REMOVE AN ABSCESS FROM A TOOTH OR FROM THE BONE SO LONG AS THE TOOTH IS PRESENT. ONCE A TOOTH IS INFECTED, IT REMAINS INFECTED IRRELEVANT OF WHAT IS DONE TO IT OR THE SURROUNDING BONE. THE ONLY WAY TO CURE THE ABSCESS IS TO REMOVE THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION WHICH IS THE TOOTH. THE ANTIBIOTIC COMBINED WITH WHATEVER HE DID TO THIS TOOTH SUBSIDED THE EXTREME SYMPTOMS BUT DID NOT CURE THE INFECTION.

<<Over the last few years I have had a couple of what I thought were mild gum infections and taken antibiotics or sometimes they just went on their own. >>

IN A DIABETIC THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MILD GUM INFECTION AND THEY DO NOT JUST GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN. ANTIBIOTICS CAN TEMPORARILY SUBSIDE THE ACUTE SYMPTOMS BUT INTERVENTION IS ALWAYS NEEDED.

<<2-3 weeks ago I started getting occassional burning sensation through my inside cheek, gum and jaw on the right. Gradually the pain was more often and more intense, I went to the dentist who took xrays who said that there was an infection my RCT tooth that needed to be redone.This would cost €850 plus €500 for a crown. I told him i couldnt afford it and he put me on antibiotics and said get it done as soon as. >>

REDOING THE RCT IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY AND IT IS TAXING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. AS A DIABETIC, IT IS DANGEROUS FOR YOU TO HANG ONTO THIS TOOTH. UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO WAY TO CURE AN INFECTED TOOTH BECAUSE THERE ARE COUNTLESS TINY CANALS IN THE TOOTH THAT CAN NOT BE CLEANED OUT AND WILL ALWAYS CONTAIN DISEASED NERVE TISSUE. THEREFORE THIS TOOTH HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INFECTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

<<I live in Ireland and unless you have a medical card you get no help with paying for this dental treatment, I work partime, have a lot of debt and no way of getting this money.>>

I UNDERSTAND HOW EXPENSIVE DENTISTRY IS AND MANY PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD IT. ASIDE FROM THAT, KEEPING THIS TOOTH IS NOT HEALTHY FOR YOU AND WILL CAUSE YOU CONTINUED PROBLEMS. IT CAN, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY, BECOME A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AS WELL. THE INFECTION WILL ALSO SPREAD TO OTHER TEETH.

<<By Tuesday I was now in pain eating, then drinking hot drinks and by Thurs even room temp water hurt so bad. I rang one of the specialist endodontist my dentist had given me the number of and made an appointment for the day after (Friday) by Friday I was in agony, when I explained everything to the endodonist he kept telling me that the pain I was describing would not be due to infection or tooth and sounded more like a diabetic neuropathy in the dental area and face!>>

THIS DENTIST IS BASICALLY MISINFORMING YOU. YOUR DESCRIBED SYMPTOMS ARE RELEVANT TO AN INFECTED TOOTH AND GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THIS TOOTH, IT IS NOT EVEN QUESTIONABLE.

<<He wrote up a referral let, I tried to explain tht the pain I was describing was present when I had my abscess a few years ago and went awa once it was treated he ignored me. >>

HE KNEW THE ABSCESS DIDN'T GO AWAY BUT DID NOT WANT TO INFORM YOU OF THAT... BECAUSE AFTER ALL HE DOES ROOT CANALS FOR A LIVING AND IS NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I JUST HAVE. LET ME GUESS, HE SAID THE TOOTH NEXT TO IT WAS INFECTED...??

<<Finally he looked in my mouth and with cold sensation test he found that it was actually the tooth beside the original RCT tooth that was causing pain and he did an emergency RCT on that, I had to borrow €300 from my mother to pay and I have to find €300 and go back this Friday to finish the treatment.>>

BINGO.... AS I SAID ABOVE, THE INFECTION HAS SPREAD TO THE TOOTH NEXT TO THE ORIGINAL ABSCESSED TOOTH. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ORIGINAL TOOTH IS OKAY, IT'S NOT.

<<He told me I needed to have the other one redone as soon as>> OF COURSE HE DID.... MORE $$$ FOR HIM. THIS TOOTH IS NOT HEALTHY AND NEVER WILL BE.

<< I said I couldnt afford it and could I get it out and all he kept saying was you will have a gap and thats not a good idea. He prescibed anti infams and told me to stop taking the antibiotics and only take them if my face swelled up.>>

YOU ARE BETTER OFF WITH A SPACE THAN A LIFE THREATENING INFECTION. DO YOU AGREE? DOES HE NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE A DIABETIC WITH A LONG TERM ACTIVE INFECTION??

<<Anyway I have done lots of research and I am now terrified of what RCT is doing to me and my diabetes. I have felt unwell for weeks with the pain and also run down and exhasuted with blood sugars unstable.>>

RESEARCH IS GOOD AND YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE TERRIFIED OF THE SYSTEMIC CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH INFECTION. THE MOUTH IS VERY VASCULAR WHICH MEANS THE BACTERIA FROM THESE INFECTED TEETH IS TRAVELING AND FILTERING THROUGH YOUR ORGANS. I AM NOT TELLING YOU THIS TO FRIGHTEN YOU MORE.... BUT YOU NEED TO BELIEVE THE SEVERITY OF THIS SITUATION AND STOP LETTING OTHERS PUT BAND AIDS ON IT.

<< I have made an appointment with my original dentist who is a very nice woman but was unavailable the day I went for the xrays 3 weeks ago, Im going to talk to her about getting a partial denture for the first RCT tooth and having an extraction because I can't afford all the work it needs.>>

YOU KEEP REFERRING TO THE $$$ EXPENSE OF ALL THIS TREATMENT WHICH IS TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT IT IS NOT AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE EXPENSE IT IS COSTING YOUR HEALTH.

<< She can't fit me in until next Wednesday (13th Feb) and Im at the endodontist to finish the second one Friday. Ideally I would like to have them both pulled but I know my dentist will talk me out of that as its just had the RCT.>>

WHY NOT REMOVE BOTH TEETH AND GET A PARTIAL DENTURE? SHE CAN ONLY TALK YOU OUT OF MAKING A DECISION THAT IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR HEALTH IF THAT IS THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO.

<<Anyway sorry for such a long post Im just so stressed, crying in pain last week and terrified of what to do what not do this week, plus theres not much help here in this country all dentist seem to think havig a RCT and keeping your tooth is the be all and end all for all their patients even with autoimmune deseases. >>

HERE IN THE US, RCT IS THE NUMBER ONE DENTAL TREATMENT PRESCRIBED AND ALSO THE MOST LUCRATIVE ALL OF THE DENTAL SPECIALTIES. WHY? BECAUSE THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO HAS RCT IS USUALLY IN PAIN AND IS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE SYSTEMIC CONSEQUENCES OF KEEPING INFECTED TEETH.... ESPECIALLY IN DIABETICS.

<<Im looking for some help/advice. Is the burning stabbing pain a neuropathy or am I right that it is an infection connected problem? >>

IT IS INFECTION AND MAY BECOME, IF IT HASN'T TO SOME DEGREE ALREADY, A NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEM. THE LONGER YOU HANG ONTO INFECTED TEETH THE MORE SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD THE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WILL BE.

<<If my dentist will take the original problem tooth out will she take the periodontal ligament and infected bone out? When I asked the receptionist at the clinic if I would need antibiotics before extraction she said the infection usually comes out with the tooth but you can discuss it with the dentist, this gives me the impression it would just be numb the area and yank it out leaving everything else in there.>>

IN YOUR CASE, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD BE COVERED BY AN ANTIBIOTIC FOR THE EXTRACTION. BUT PLEASE CONSIDER ALL THAT I HAVE SAID ABOUT REMOVING BOTH TEETH AS YOU WILL END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IF YOU KEEP THIS OTHER TOOTH. THINK ABOUT THE SYSTEMIC CONSEQUENCES.
WITH REGARD TO REMOVING THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT... YOU HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING!! ) THIS LIGAMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE REMOVED, NO MATTER WHAT. HOWEVER, IF IN DOUBT AND THERE IS REASON TO BE DOUBTFUL AS NOT ALL DENTISTS REMOVE IT, MAKE SURE YOU TELL WHOMEVER TO REMOVE THE LIGAMENT AND ALL NECROTIC TISSUE.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT IS BEST FOR YOU TO SEE AN ORAL SURGEON BECAUSE THESE TEETH MAY BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE DUE TO THE LONG STANDING INFECTION WHICH MEANS THE BONE WILL NEED TO BE CLEANED VERY THOROUGHLY AND ALSO THE ROOT CANAL THERAPY CAUSES THE TEETH TO BECOME BRITTLE FROM KILLING OFF THE VITALITY. ORAL SURGEONS DEAL WITH THESE TEETH ALL OF THE TIME AND HAVE THE INSTRUMENTS TO TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUES.

ALSO GET YOUR MONEY BACK FOR THE ROOT CANAL THAT WAS JUST STARTED. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND IF YOU BELIEVE IT IS UNHEALTHY AND UNWISE TO CONTINUE ON THAT PATH OF TREATMENT.

<<Should I have stopped taking the antibiotics Friday on the Endodontist orders?>>

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT REASONING AT ALL. BUT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY THE DENTIST WHO IS TREATING YOU.

<<There were no xrays taken of any of the other teeth beside these bad ones and Im worried they could all be infected! Is this possible?>>

YES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU HAVE OTHER DENTAL PROBLEMS AND A FULL SET OF XRAYS SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. IF IN FACT YOU HAVE OTHER INFECTED TEETH ON THE ARCH THAT THESE OTHER TWO ARE, YOU MAY CONSIDER BEING PRO ACTIVE AND REMOVE THEM AS WELL. THAT WAY YOU COULD HAVE A PARTIAL DENTURE MADE TO FILL IN ALL OF THE GAPS. RATHER THAN PROLONG THE INEVITABLE WHILE JEOPARDIZING YOUR HEALTH.

<<I wanted to see my doctor to discuss how this is affecting my diabetes and immune system but she cant fit me in until Tues 12th. So the only health professional Il be seeing in the next week is the endodontist.>>

AGAIN, THINK TWICE ABOUT CONTINUING WITH THIS ROOT CANAL.

<<I was off work all last week with pain and exhaustion, felt a little better over the weekend after emergency RCT and pain killers, went to work yesterday and by 1pm was exhausted with really bad pain in head and eyebrow and face on right side and was out of breath walking up the stairs. Im 32 and usually quite fit! Also the money situation is stressing me out I still owe €300 and would need €500 to crown it. Never mind the €850 and €500 they want for the other tooth! If I get that one extracted it's about €100 annd could get a partial denture for €120.>>

THINK ABOUT ALL THE $$$, PAIN, LOST WORK TIME, PHYSICAL ILLNESS THAT THIS IS COSTING YOU. ONLY TO BE LEFT WITH TWO INFECTED TEETH.... AND POSSIBLY OTHERS.

<<Anyway Im rambling again any help much appreciated.>>

ACTUALLY YOU HAVE NOT RAMBLED AT ALL! YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SORTING THINGS OUT.... AND EVERY WHICH WAY YOU LOOK IT POINTS TO ONGOING EXPENSES THAT HAVE NO END IN SIGHT IF YOU CONTINUE ON THIS SAME PATH.

Jeanie, you are young and can get a handle on your dental and physical health. Review all that you have been through and make a decision that you feel is in your best interest. NO ONE can tell you what to do. Assert yourself and ask questions until you are comfortable with the answers. Look to the long term of bettering your health and not the immediate fix because that will only cost you more $$, more time, more pain and possible serious health risks. The choice is yours, go with your intuition and the knowledge you have learned through your research.

Come back and give us an update..ok

Bryanna

Thank you so much for your reply Bryanna!

If I did find a dentist who would take the two teeth out, is it ok to remove the one that RCT was started on last week? He cleaned it out and put some antiseptic in and said he would finish it on Friday. So would it be ok for me to just not go back and look for someone to take the whole thing out as it is with the antiseptic in it?

I feel awful at the moment too, would going back on the antibiotics ease things for a bit while I found help?

Im finding it really hard to find anyone who isnt trying to force me into doing this RCT and keeping the tooth!

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

I'm so sorry. What an awful experience. I have neuropathy (after dental work) and was told that those with certain illnesses like diabetes, MS, etc are at greater risk.

But it does sound like other things are of concern as well, like possible infection. And there is controversy about the overall safety of RCT. I'm so very sorry.

Who treats your diabetes? Have you thought about talking to your doctor about this?

You might also want to consult a neurologist. Don't expect the dentist to help you much or at all if you have neuropathic pain. Something simple like a tricyclic antidepressant might help if this pain continues. Hopefully, it is just a temporary situation.

Has the dentist given you anything to take should the pain become extreme, like a pain medication? If this continues, don't hesitate to ask!

My thoughts are with you as you go through this difficult time, Praying that it is not neuropathic facial pain and that your treatments will end this discomfort.

Jeanie,

You are so welcome!! I am so thankful that you are open to hearing this unfortunately challenging yet factual information!

Yes, it is fine to take that tooth out that had the root canal started on it. As a matter of fact, the "antiseptic" that he put in may very well be formocresol. In fact, formocresol may also have been used in the other tooth several years ago. If you google formocresol.... second thought .... please don't as it will just upset you. No need to go there. Just rest assured that the "antiseptics" used in root canal therapy are generally toxic and cannot be rinsed off or removed from the lining of the tooth. That's why they use them because the "thinking" is to keep disinfecting the tooth for the life of the tooth even though it's toxic ..... which proves once again that the procedure is so fatally flawed.

So taking into consideration your physical condition, the long term infection and the toxicity associated with root canal therapy.... for the sake of your health, the sooner you have those teeth removed the better.

The antibiotics may help to subside some of the symptoms you are feeling but it is never a good idea to start antibiotics, stop mid course and then go back on them again. Some people do okay with that, others don't. So I cannot make that judgement call for you :/

I often refer people to the IAOMT organization when searching for a dentist who understands the systemic consequences of oral health. If you go to IAOMT.org scroll down to "find a dentist" and type in your country. Even if there is no one listed in your nearby area, you can call the office listed for a possible referral to someone closer to you. It's worth a try.

Jeanie, irrelevant of where you live, your choice of treatment is up to you. For an example, another member here Raye who states she lives in Canada (where the medical/dental system is very controlled) has persevered with much determination to fine a group of dentists to work with... and it has been a difficult journey for her. Even here in the US where it's supposedly(!!) an open, friendly medical/dental healthcare system ..... people need to be assertive and must be their own advocate in most cases or we get thrown into the system of convenience and incompetence.

I'm here to provide you the information to become empowered.... if you believe in it and can relate to it... then run with it!

Keep in touch here ... ok
Bryanna

Hi Vowel Lady, thank you for replying to me. Im sorry to hear you're in
pain too. I knew I might have to deal with diabetic nueropathy at some stage in the future (in the legs and feet) and I have always known
since I was diagnosed about the diabetes and gum infection connection but never thought I would be in this position!

The endodontist gave me a prescription for pain killers Friday and I have been taking them but still feeling pain. I tried to get an appointment with my GP to discuss how everything is affecting my diabetes but she could'nt fit me in until next week. I only get to see an endocrinologist once a year if even (I havn't been since last Feb and still don't have an appointment for this year) So Im basically trying to keep on top of it myself by going to my GP every few months and asking for specific bloods and other tests. The medical system here is not in good shape, hospital waiting lists are long, appointments are short and not very productive as far as Im concerned, I got used to teaching myself what I needed to do and trying not to rely on such an inefficient system when it came to my diabetes but I didn't realise I'd have to start doing it with the dental system side of things too

Anyway on a more positive note! Thanks to you both I have been productive over the last few hours. I was definately anxious after reading everything Bryanna and I will not be googling that toxin for definite as Iv lost enough sleep the last few weeks! But I did google your link and there is Dentist on there but he is in Cork to the very south of the country, I also managed to find an holistic dentist in Mayo to the west of the country who I rang and got a number for an holistic dentist in the East where I am which is a couple of hours away by train.

I rang and spoke to a lovely receptionist who was very sympathetic, I told her what I would like done and that I was not getting help from anyone else, she said she would speak to the dentist and ring me back. 10 mins later she did ring, told me to start taking the antibiotics again, to cancel the RCT treatment Friday and booked me in for two extractions next Wednesday! She took my address and is sending me out presciptions for more pain killers and antibiotics and told me to write down anything I wanted to talk about. She said that whatever I wanted to do would be fine, that I know my body and whats right for it!

I can't tell you what a relief it has been just to speak to someone so helpful and nice and to have an appointment to start getting sorted!

Again thank you so much for your kindness and for taking the time to help me
to get back on track finally

Jeanie,

Have your dentists send all of your xrays over to this new dentist asap. It is helpful for him to see them before you get there.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

I was at the dentist today after 7 days of antibiotics and was ready for extractions. He was a lovely man and agreed completely that I need these teeth out. He said he was going to do an xray and then get things ready.

But when he called me back in to look at the xray he said that the original rct tooth had a huge abscess attached to the end along with infection in the recently rct'd tooth beside it. He said the roots were quite bad looking and he wouldnt touch them and gave me the name of a few oral surgeons. I was told to ring my insurance to see which ones were covered, then contact him with who I was going with so he could email them xrays etc.

I rang my insurance and there was confusion about where I was covered, then thought it was sorted, picked an oral surgeon who is seeing me for a consultation on Friday. But when I rang my insurance back to double check, they said I wasnt covered at all as I was only covered for impacted wisdom teeth. I tried explaining how this is more serious then impacted wisdom teeth but dont think that was much help. I am waiting to hear back again tomorrow for definate from them.

The secretary of the oral surgeon said that he could see me for consultation friday but he had no surgical appointments available until March. I explained that I was diabetic and had been sick for weeks with infection etc and she said well come in and we'l see.

Anyway Im home now exhausted from lots of train travel, phone calls and crying from frustration and stress.

Just thought Id update you and thank you for your support again.

xx

Hi Jeanie,

I am glad this dentist did not try to be hero and attempt to extract these teeth himself. He was wise to refer you to an oral surgeon.

Sometimes the insurance company will make an exception when the patient is diabetic and there is a bone infection from abscessed teeth. Ask the oral surgeons office to write a surgical report (after the teeth are removed) so you can send a copy with the bill to your insurance company. This may mean that you have to put the money out at the time of the oral surgery but may be reimbursed by the insurance company.

When you see the oral surgeon on friday... ask him if he feels these teeth are a serious health risk especially due to your diabetes. Tell him you have sought treatment from other dentists but they obviously did not inform you properly and you've been ill and suffering. If he feels you should not wait and he can treat you then or at a sooner date than March, he will.

Jeanie.... stay strong and think positive. To help get yourself ready for the oral surgery, it is a good time to prepare a post operative meal plan of soft foods.... homemade soups, fruit/veggie smoothies, eggs, stock up on filtered water... it is best to be prepared ahead of time so that you do not have to think about any of that when the time comes.

Please know that we are all thinking about you and hopeful that this dentist will take care of you very soon.

Keep in touch with us... ok...
Bryanna

Well they're out!!

I went to the oral surgeon yesterday with a letter from my GP saying my blood sugars are not in control and if he deemed extraction necessary could he do as soon as possible.

He asked me a few times if I was sure I wanted them out and if I wanted him to ring my Endodontist to discuss the matter further. I said I couldn't afford more RCT anyway and there was no point. He looked at the xrays and asked was I sure I didn't want to try and save the recently rct'd tooth and I said Id rather have them both out and try to get rid of the infection. He sedated me and numbed the area and after about 10 mins began to extract the teeth. It seemed to be a general extraction as there was no cutting or slicing which is what I thought surgical extraction would be. When the teeth were out he used some suction device for a few seconds and that was it.

After I sobered up I bit and was chatting to the nurse I asked if they had got all the abscess out and she said yes most came out with the tooth and we sucked the rest out. I'm a little worried now as with everything that was going on I didn't mention the removal of the ligament and think this may not have been done? Should I be worried?

He told me to go to the dentist to get my mould for temp denture and to come back to him in 10 weeks to see how everything was healing and then discuss implants after about 3 months. He said that diabetes can cause implants to fail but thats the worst possible outcome and might not happen.

I thought I might have to leave the area for a good year before even trying for implants..is it ok to try implants so soon? Also are implants safe after having an infection and diabetes etc, am I just inviting more future problems?

I got a missed call from the Endodontist yesterday, he wanted to know why I was not finishing treatment etc. I emailed him last night explaining my diabetes had been compromised and I had opted for extraction for health and financial reasons. he wrote back a long email of questions. Would you have an opinion about any of these questions he asked and answers I am going to give Bryanna..

Did the cleansing and reshaping he did ease pain? The burning pain did ease, and I was able to eat food and drink again, but I still had a sore jaw and face, was rundown and blood sugars were still high.

I had told him that the new dentist I saw did an xray and said there was a very large abscess at the end of the molar. He said that he had examined my chronically infected molar that needed to be retreated and said it was asymptomic and would not be causing me pain or problems with my diabetes? The tooth did not hurt but I feel that any infection/abscess would hinder my blood sugar control.

Did I mention to the oral surgeon that he thought I may have neuraliga or neuropathy and was I goin to go to the specialist he referred me to for this?
I told my medical doctor this idea and she said the pain could be infection and after the teeth are out if the pain comes back we could look into this specialist. But her priority was to deal with the infection.

He said he would have liked to be contacted and consulted by the oral surgeon and other dentist I saw before anything was done and also that he could have helped them with the treatment plan.

The surgeon did ask me if I wanted him contacted to discuss things and I said no as I would not continue rct.

He asked if He could call the oral surgeon Monday? If he likes he can.

Other than the shock of having the teeth out now and the annoying email I think everythings going well so far. My bloods had been around 11-13mml day of and days before the extraction. Lastnight they had dropped to 4.1mml for the first time since December. They have consistently been between 4.8-8.5 for the past 24 hours. It could be some sort of placebo or that stress is less now but I dont think so.

I have been eating yogurts since yesterday and tried some soft boiled egg a while ago which I think was a bad idea as I have food stuck in the extraction sites now!. Going to rinse with some salt water in a little while.

Anyway sorry for all the questions..again!