[chocola]

Dear all,
I am a new member here. I was drawn to this forum when I googled in "root canal infection". I am so thankful that I found this forum before I make decisions on what to do with my problematic teeth.

So, as introduction:
I am 37yo female. Recently got a verdict to do 5 (yes it's a 5) root canals. 3 teeth (# 13, 14, 20) have no cavities, but I remember around 3 years ago, I accidentally bit on a very hard date seed (which was supposed to be a seedless date #*%+@!#). The pain sent me to nearest dentist the following morning. Xrays were done on these 3 teeth, no fractures found, the dentist said only the nerves were irritated & it should calm down in few days, which they did calm down. Then sometimes late night in mid last June, I suddenly felt a sharp throbbing pain *on tooth # 20, which quickly followed by teeth # 13 &14.*
Then moving to the other side, teeth # 3 & 30 have fillings from my early 20s, & latest Xray shows these two also have developed infection that already reached nerves, which started to feel painful last week. The infection on tooth # 30 is already reaching the bottom of the root.

So, I went to see a dentist 2 days after the first pain I felt on teeth # 13, 14, 20.*Teeth # 20 was so painful, enough to send me crying when the dentist did a cold test on it. Next, I was sent for Xray. Thus came the verdict of 5 root canals. My first reaction was, no way I would have a root canal in my mouth, some more 5??? Then the dentist looked at me like I was an alien from other planets. But I said less when I noticed she was so into RCT & let her clear out the infection & put on temporary seal on tooth 20 (since it was the most painful one & it was an emergency walk-in session, so only the imminent is treated). No pain on that tooth until now. The next appointment will be on July 19th, which is supposed to be RCTs.*
Meanwhile, I kept googling about RCT which sent me to this very site. I was determined to have these teeth removed & get implants, but I didn't want to go back to the first dentist I saw last June. So, I booked an appointment yesterday with a senior oral surgeon in a public hospital, hoping the charges would be less than those of privates'. Alas, the cost of implant is similar to what private practices charge, which I definitely can't afford to have 5 altogether. Same thing happened when I told the OS that I am not keen into RCT, she immediately laughed me off & asked if I read the article written by Dr. Meinig, which I said yes. She tried to convince me to still get the RCTs because structurally my teeth are still good looking, & that a well-done RCTs can last for quite a long time. *Then she went on telling me that I have such long roots on my teeth that even extractions will be more difficult than normal extraction. So, she got me an appointment with an endodontist specialist on July 19th.*So I went home, with nothing done. Actually, I was already preparing myself to go home teethless *LOL.

Okay, now my questions.
1. Since 5 implants are definitely out of question because of the size of the bill, I am considering to get a removable dentures. Bridges are a big no for me because I don't want to sacrifice my other healthy teeth. But I still feel unsure about leaving the gap unfilled with something permanent as in implants. I worry *later I will experience jaw bone loss on the areas, or receding gum, or the other teeth will shift and create a whole new chewing problem. What should be done on the day of extraction to prevent such things from happening?

2. Is it difficult to chew with dentures? Well, I am a big foodie, so I really don't want to lose the joy of eating just because I wear dentures. I am already quite sad that I have lost couple of lbs since mid of June because I lost my appetite due to the painful teeth.*

3. Now I am also aware of my long root teeth, I worry if extraction will have complications. What is the worst I can expect from the extraction? And should I do the extraction one side at a time or just extract all 5 at the same time? I think I can survive eating yoghurt and such for a week or so. And should I have the extraction done by an OS or a regular dentist is fine?

additional info (dunno it has relevancy or not), I have completely grown upper wisdom teeth, but the lower two are impacted & still not out (yet). The OS said there is no need to remove as long as they don't give me problems, which they haven't so far. The lower left side is very close to some nerves, which the OS said will potentially give me problems in the future.

Okay, I think that's about all. I would really appreciate any advises, especially *from Bryanna and Ginny who seems satisfied with her dentures.*
Thanks in advance!

[Bryanna]

Hi chocola,

I am in the dental profession and will try to help you. To make it easier to follow I will repost your questions and answer in bold type.

<<<1. Since 5 implants are definitely out of question because of the size of the bill, I am considering to get a removable dentures. Bridges are a big no for me because I don't want to sacrifice my other healthy teeth. But I still feel unsure about leaving the gap unfilled with something permanent as in implants. I worry *later I will experience jaw bone loss on the areas, or receding gum, or the other teeth will shift and create a whole new chewing problem. What should be done on the day of extraction to prevent such things from happening?>>>

PARTIAL DENTURES "IF WORN DAILY" WILL PREVENT THE ADJACENT TEETH FROM SHIFTING INTO THE EMPTY SPACES. TO HELP ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF NEW BONE AND TO HELP MINIMIZE THE BONE LOSS AFTER THE EXTRACTIONS, YOU CAN SPEAK TO YOUR ORAL SURGEON ABOUT PLACING BONE GRAFTS IN EACH SOCKET. THE BONE GRAFT MATERIAL STIMULATES YOUR OWN BONE TO GROW INTO THE GRAFT.... EVENTUALLY BECOMING ALL OF YOUR OWN BONE.

<<<2. Is it difficult to chew with dentures? Well, I am a big foodie, so I really don't want to lose the joy of eating just because I wear dentures. I am already quite sad that I have lost couple of lbs since mid of June because I lost my appetite due to the painful teeth.*>>>

IN THE BEGINNING IT IS "ODD" TO CHEW WITH PARTIAL DENTURES. FOOD CAN GET CAUGHT UNDERNEATH WHICH CAN SOMETIMES BE UNCOMFORTABLE. USUALLY THE APPLIANCES NEED TO BE REMOVED AND RINSED OFF AFTER EATING. IT IS TYPICAL TO NEED A FEW ADJUSTMENT APPOINTMENTS WITH THE DENTIST TO TAKE CARE OF THE AREAS THAT NEED TO BE BLENDED INTO THE BITE BETTER. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE PATIENT AND TOLERANT DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS.... EAT SOFT FOODS AND GRADUALLY GO INTO MORE CHEWY FOODS.

<<<3. Now I am also aware of my long root teeth, I worry if extraction will have complications. What is the worst I can expect from the extraction? And should I do the extraction one side at a time or just extract all 5 at the same time? I think I can survive eating yoghurt and such for a week or so. And should I have the extraction done by an OS or a regular dentist is fine?>>>

DEFINITELY HAVE THE EXTRACTIONS DONE BY AN ORAL SURGEON. THERE IS NO WAY TO ANTICIPATE IF YOU WILL HAVE COMPLICATIONS DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE ROOTS. BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE LONG ROOTED TEETH WITH NO COMPLICATIONS. MOST OF THE TIME EXTRACTIONS GO JUST FINE. TRY NOT TO IMAGINE THE WORSE AND DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY FROM ANY NEGATIVE INTERNET BLOGS ABOUT EXTRACTIONS. STAY FOCUSED ON BEING POSITIVE AND PREPARE CERTAIN THINGS AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE THE HEALING PHASE EASIER FOR YOU. FOR EXAMPLE... PREPARE A SOFT FOOD DIET RICH IN NUTRIENTS AND ONLY HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES. PLAN ON TAKING 2-3 DAYS OFF OF EVERYTHING ELSE AND MAKE IT ALL ABOUT YOU
DOING ALL 5 AT ONE TIME CREATES EATING VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE IRRELEVANT OF WHAT YOU EAT, YOU WILL BE GETTING FOOD DEBRIS IN THE SOCKETS. MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO ONE SIDE (UPPER AND LOWER) AT ONE VISIT AND THEN A MONTH OR TWO LATER THEY DO THE OTHER SIDE.

<<<additional info (dunno it has relevancy or not), I have completely grown upper wisdom teeth, but the lower two are impacted & still not out (yet). The OS said there is no need to remove as long as they don't give me problems, which they haven't so far. The lower left side is very close to some nerves, which the OS said will potentially give me problems in the future.>>>

THERE IS NO REAL REASON TO REMOVE ERUPTED HEALTHY WISDOM TEETH UNLESS THEY ARE ACCUMULATING PLAQUE BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO KEEP CLEAN.... OR THEY ARE SUPRA ERUPTING INTO AN EMPTY SPACE ABOVE OR BELOW THEM. IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH CAN BE LEFT ALONE UNLESS THEY ARE INFRINGING ON THE SECOND MOLAR SPACE OR THEY SHOW RADIOGRAPHIC OR PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION.

ANOTHER POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OPTION MAY BE...
Have you considered replacing the top teeth with a removable partial denture and the two lowers with dental implants?

Bryanna