Dear Bryana, As i have told you in my earlier posts that I have got a 3 unit bridge to replace my lower first molar. I recently experienced pain in my both abutment teeth, after going to several dentists and taking their opinion, its obvious that both healthy teeth are shaved too much and they now require root canal, what should i do now??

Hi sarah ali,

My heart literally sank when I read this post. When a dentist prepares a tooth or teeth for a crown or a bridge their first main concern should be to take every measure to preserve as much tooth structure as possible to avoid situations like this. In some cases the tooth is already badly compromised due to decay, etc and the tooth cannot be prepared conservatively. But in other cases where the tooth has been over prepped, it is the dentist who has the attitude that it's no big deal to root canal the tooth if a problem arises due to the over preparation. If I had a penny for every time I have seen this happen or know of this happening in my 35+ yr career.... I would be a millionaire by now!

I don't know the condition of these two adjacent teeth prior to the preparation of the bridge. So I cannot say as to which category you would be in with regard to these teeth being (over) prepped.

Unfortunately, if you have reason to believe that they are in trouble and that is what is causing the pain, then your two options are : root canal or extraction. To root canal them is an attempt to "retain" these teeth for an undetermined amount of time. It does not mean to "cure" them from disease at this time or in the future. To extract these teeth means you will then have 3 missing teeth in a row and replacement options would need to be discussed with your dentist. To leave that space open means the teeth above would slowly drift down towards the space. As that movement occurs bone loss and pocketing develops around those upper teeth and eventually they would need to be removed.

Please be certain that these teeth are not able to be restored with new crowns before you allow someone to root canal or extract them.

Bryanna




QUOTE=sarah ali;1043445]Dear Bryana, As i have told you in my earlier posts that I have got a 3 unit bridge to replace my lower first molar. I recently experienced pain in my both abutment teeth, after going to several dentists and taking their opinion, its obvious that both healthy teeth are shaved too much and they now require root canal, what should i do now??[/QUOTE]

Bryana, Those were perfectly healthy teeth before bridge preparation. I went to a new dentist and asked him to remove my bridge by cutting it through. He very professionally cut the bridge and remove it. Took the xray of the abutment teeth and said pulp is exposed and you need root canal of both abutment teeth, he then referred me to an endodontist. I showed the xrays to endodontist, and he said the same thing. Before going to the root canal, I went to a local dental college and ask the consultant to look at those xrays, since the consultation was free for public and they will not get any monetary advantage from hiding the truth from me, the consultant clearly said that NO, you don't need root canals, both teeth are saved, I asked then y i was having pain in my jaw and neck, he proved me that the bridge was not properly fitted. He gave me a muscle relaxant, Nuberol Fort, and now 80% of my pain is gone.

I lost respect and trust on every dentist. i am now going to crown the abutment teeth separately. and my only concern is now how do i stop super eruption of the opposing tooth in upper jaw, Can a daily use of night guard will prevent this to happen.

Thanks for your interest in my postings.

Hi sarah ali,

Although it is common for dentists to disagree on most things, it concerns me that 2 dentists say pulp exposures and someone at the dental school tells you a different story. Especially based on the information that you have given here in your previous posts about these teeth being over prepped. Is there any way you can post the recent x-rays of these teeth?

Regarding the issue with the empty space.... if the space opposing this tooth remains empty, the above tooth will drift and the adjacent teeth to the space with shift towards the open space as well.

The rate and degree of the shifting varies from one person to another.

The daily use of a night-guard may minimize the movement. But you would have to wear it diligently.

Bryanna