My Dilemma
 

Hi everyone,

My latest dental work includes an extraction of upper very back molar on the left, which healed nicely after slight sinus communication. I was pain free when I went in to get two temp crowns. One went without any problems. Then....

I got prepped for a crown on the molar next to the extraction on the upper left side. This was 8 days ago, and ever since then I've had off and on pain in the area and teeth on the bottom as well. Plus my jaw hurts in a spot as well as my left ear. Cold sensitivity also.

I went to the dentist yesterday and told him all of this. His assistant did adjust my bite, which seemed to help. The dentist told me not to chew on the side for four days and then see how it felt. He told me if it was not any better by then, I'd need a root canal most likely. He wants to have that done before the perm. crown is put on.

Now my dilemma. First, my teeth were feeling pretty good yesterday, but today they are all hurting again. :(
The real question is: Do I get the root canal and hope for the best? Or, get it extracted and have to look into getting partial dentures. If it's removed, I will have three missing upper molars and one on the bottom. I will have none that meet, so chewing in the back on either side will be pretty much impossible.

I hope I will hear from Bryanna and anyone else who has had this experience with suggestions. Thank you so much, in advance. Oh, I am taking ibuprofen for swelling and pain.

Hope everyone is doing better! Gretchen

Hi gdmcor
 

Hello, and welcome. Bryanna is the best about dental issues. However I can state positively, that a root Canal, is not the best choice. Most dentists do not inform their patients correctly about this proceedure to " Retain" a tooth.
This is an expensive temporary solution, that will NOT last. If you are in pain now, that will not stop the pain. The infection cannot be entirely gotten rid of with a root canal no matter what your dentist tells you. It will eventually cause you more harm than good. I speak from experinece with my own RC'd teeth. Yes I had them extracted and I am glad I did it. End of the money pit, end of the pain, end of the trouble. I have a partial called a nesbit. Inexpensive, comfortable, and most dentists want you to have more expensive devices. Bryanna can tell you if the location in your mouth would be suitable. These infections get into the tiny spaces inside the tooth, where no dentists probing can eradicate is the problem. That small bit of infection stays there, and does cause trouble down the line. Please read some of the earlier posts from Bryanna on the dental forum here. You will find alot of information, and people that have gone through much of what you are experiencing. Have heart, loosing a tooth is not so bad. I felt awful about me losing mine, but in the long run, it was the wisest of choices. You will get other information right here. I wish you all the best, ginnie

Thank you ginnie, for your response and story. I did have two root canalled teeth that got infected and had to be pulled. So I'm not a fan of root canals, but I also don't like losing the last tooth that helps me chew food properly.:( So, I'm in a difficult position. I still have two other root canalled teeth and I'm not happy about that, but they seem okay for now.

Anyway, I need to decide rather soon, so I hope to hear from others who might have different experiences. I wouldn't opt for implants either, too intrusive. If I get a tooth extracted, I don't want to put something else in there! :wink:

Thanks, Gretchen

Hi gretchen
 

I hope for the best for you, no matter what your decision is. It is always such a hard decision when it comes to your teeth. Let me know what you decide on. Best of wishes. ginnie

Hi gretchen,

I am going to re post some of your post and answer in bold. :)

<<<I got prepped for a crown on the molar next to the extraction on the upper left side. This was 8 days ago, and ever since then I've had off and on pain in the area and teeth on the bottom as well. Plus my jaw hurts in a spot as well as my left ear. Cold sensitivity also. >>>

WAS THIS MOLAR SENSITIVE TO COLD AFTER THE TOOTH NEXT TO IT WAS EXTRACTED AND/OR ANYTIME PRIOR TO THE PREPARATION FOR THE CROWN?

YOUR DESCRIPTION OF SYMPTOMS MAY INDICATE THAT THE TEMP CROWN IS NOT COVERING YOUR TOOTH COMPLETELY (CREATING COLD SENS) AND THAT IT MAY ALSO NOT BE FITTING PROPERLY INTO YOUR BITE. THIS ILL FIT WOULD CAUSE ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED.

<<<I went to the dentist yesterday and told him all of this. His assistant did adjust my bite, which seemed to help.>>>

SOME ASSISTANTS ARE TRAINED AND PRETTY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO... BUT THEY ARE NOT DENTISTS AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE ADJUSTING THE BITE ON A PATIENT WHO COMPLAINS ABOUT PAIN AS YOU HAVE. I AM A WELL TRAINED AND VERY EXPERIENCED CHAIR SIDE ASSISTANT AND I WOULD NOT ADJUST YOUR TEMP CROWN WITH YOUR SYMPTOMS. HE ALSO NEEDS TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS AN OPENING ALONG THE GINGIVAL MARGIN OF THE CROWN THAT COULD BE CAUSING YOUR COLD SENSITIVITY. FYI... COLD SENS USUALLY INDICATES EXPOSED DENTIN OR DECAY. HOT SENSITIVITY USUALLY INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE NERVES.

<<< The dentist told me not to chew on the side for four days and then see how it felt. He told me if it was not any better by then, I'd need a root canal most likely.>>>

THIS DENTIST NEEDS TO PERSONALLY CHECK YOUR BITE AND ADJUST IT PROPERLY. "THEN" YOU WOULD NOT CHEW ON IT FOR A FEW DAYS TO ALLOW THE NERVE TO CALM DOWN AS IT IS PRETTY IRRITATED FROM NOT FITTING PROPERLY IN YOUR BITE. TELLING YOU TO HAVE THIS TOOTH ROOT CANALED WITHOUT THE PROPER ADJUSTMENT IS COMPLETELY IRRATIONAL AND IRRESPONSIBLE ON HIS PART. MANY DENTISTS WILL TELL THEIR PATIENTS TO HAVE A ROOT CANAL JUST TO MAKE THEM STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PAIN FROM AN ILL FITTING TEMP OR PERM CROWN. CRAZY!

<<< He wants to have that done before the perm. crown is put on.>>>

OF COURSE HE DOES! HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO BLAME THE ENDODONTIST FOR YOUR FUTURE PROBLEMS ON THIS TOOTH WHEN ALL THE TOOTH MIGHT NEED IS A PROPER ADJUSTMENT. THIS WAY HE CAN GET PAID IN FULL FOR THE PERMANENT CROWN WHILE YOU DUKE IT OUT WITH THE ENDODONTIST WHEN YOUR TOOTH BECOMES INFECTED.

<<<Now my dilemma. First, my teeth were feeling pretty good yesterday, but today they are all hurting again. :( >>>

CHANCES ARE THE TOOTH NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY. THAT SHOULD BE THE FIRST STEP AND YOUR DENTIST SHOULD BE THE ONE TO DO THAT.

<<<The real question is: Do I get the root canal and hope for the best?>>>

IF THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE AN INFECTED OR FRACTURED TOOTH... IF THE TOOTH WAS RADIOGRAPHICALLY HEALTHY AND HAD NO CLINICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE PRIOR TO THE PREP FOR THE CROWN THEN THERE IS NO REASON TO JUST GO AHEAD AND GET IT ROOT CANALED. WHAT HE IS NOT TELLING YOU IS THAT ALL ROOT CANALED TEETH ARE UNHEALTHY IRRELEVANT OF WHETHER THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS OR NOT. WHY RUIN A HEALTHY TOOTH BECAUSE YOUR DENTIST WAS LAX IN YOUR POST OP CARE?

<<< Or, get it extracted and have to look into getting partial dentures. If it's removed, I will have three missing upper molars and one on the bottom. I will have none that meet, so chewing in the back on either side will be pretty much impossible. >>>

IF THE TOOTH IS INFECTED OR FRACTURED... THEN THE HEALTHIEST OPTION WOULD BE TO HAVE IT REMOVED. IF NOT, THEN YOU CAN REST ASSURE THAT YOU WILL BE ADDRESSING THIS TOOTH AGAIN AT ANOTHER TIME. AT WHICH POINT YOU MAY NOT BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO BONE LOSS. YOU CAN ONLY DECIDE WHAT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST REGARDING YOUR OVERALL HEALTH. LOSING TEETH AND WEARING PARTIAL DENTURES IS TRULY SECONDARY TO YOUR HEALTH... AT LEAST IT IS IN MY OPINION. BUT OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO DECIDE THAT FOR YOURSELF.

<<<I hope I will hear from Bryanna and anyone else who has had this experience with suggestions. Thank you so much, in advance. Oh, I am taking ibuprofen for swelling and pain.>>>

WELL YOU'VE HEARD FROM ME.... :/ NO SURPRISE TO MY ANSWER I'M SURE.
GRETCHEN... WHAT IS SWOLLEN??

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna, Thank you for always being so honest!

This tooth did have a fracture and deep, old mercury filling. It did not bother me before being prepped for the crown, however. I did know it was a ticking time bomb and needed to be taken care of. I don't think it was sensitive to cold though.

The one I had extracted next to it was hurting and had the same problems as this one basically. It was sensitive to cold and causing headaches and sinus pain. A week or so after removal, I felt 100% better.

Now I feel pretty much the same as I did before the last extraction, very unwell. :( I almost had this one taken out at the same time as the other one, but I wanted to see if a crown would be okay, plus it wasn't hurting at the time.

I will say that the assistant did an excellent job of adjusting the crown, I no longer am hitting an area that I previously was. She told me to take ibuprofen because of sore and swollen gums. The dentist had actually prescribed Vicodin after the initial prep, telling me that my gums would be painful.

I do not want anymore root canals either, so my decision is going to be to have it pulled if it doesn't improve. At this point, I don't think it's going to, but I'll give it a couple more days.

Thanks for all your answers to my questions!
Tomorrow I get the perm. crown on my other tooth. Is there anything you think I should tell or ask this dentist about my bad tooth?

Hi Gretchen,

You are welcome :) Thanks for being so receptive to my... honesty ~)

Okay so this tooth has a fracture and had a deep mercury filling. Depending on where and how big the fracture is, it could cause a vulnerability in the structure of the tooth which may not be able to be remedied with a crown. If that is the case, then the tooth would remain cold sensitive and bacteria would continue to seep in resulting in recurrent decay and infection. Mercury fillings expand and contract with temperature changes which causes cracks and fissures to occur within the tooth. The deeper the filling the deeper the cracks will be within the tooth. Over time this causes irritation to the pulp area and nerves of the tooth. Sometimes a tooth like this will be symptomatic on and off, other times it's relatively quiet. It may shows signs of a problem as you found out on the tooth next to it that was extracted. The tooth becomes additionally irritated from the drill prepping the tooth for a new filling or crown. However, sometimes it does calm down.. again depending on the circumstances. What you need to know most importantly just in case this tooth does not calm down is that a root canal will not "favorably" alter the condition of this tooth. In fact it will cause it to become more fragile because the blood supply will be cut off and the tooth will become non vital.

I'm sure the assistant did the best job she could in adjusting it. But when a patient presents with several symptoms as you did with a temp crown and the history of this tooth is what it is.... the dentist should be the one to adjust the bite because it could make a huge difference in the final outcome.

For you to be prescribed vicodin for the post op of a crown prep may indicate an anticipated problem........

**The dentist may have had to prep a lot below the gum line to obtain enough tooth structure to hold the permanent crown on. He also may have had to do this to bypass the fracture in the tooth. This means that the crown margins would sit sub gingival... below the gum line... which is not ideal because the gum tissue may then be chronically irritated. SO ASK THE DENTIST IF THE CROWN MARGINS ARE GOING TO BE BELOW THE GUM LINE (SUB GINGIVAL) AS OPPOSED TO AT THE GUM (SUPRA GINGIVAL).?? IF HE SAYS YES, ASK WHY?? BY THE WAY.. MANY YEARS AGO MOST CROWNS WERE MADE TO SIT BELOW THE GUM TISSUE BUT FOR THE LAST 15 YRS OR SO THAT WAY OF THINKING HAS CHANGED TO AT THE GUM LINE TO LESSEN THE IRRITATION TO THE TISSUE.

***The dentist may have suspected that this tooth would act up after being prepped and is leaning towards the possibility that you will have it root canaled and wanted to minimize your pain. You need to make your decision about root canals clear to him at this point. This way the two of you can come up with a plan in case this tooth acts up.

If the gums are actually swollen, they you may be sensitive to the temp material. Please have the dentist evaluate that possibility.

When was the most recent xray taken of this tooth? If it was more than 3 months ago, ask the dentist to take a new one. This will show if there are any changes that have occurred, it will show the depth of the crown prep and it will show if there are any open margins in the temp along the gum line that is causing exposure of some dentin.

I really hope things start to improve for you!
Please let us know how it goes tomorrow ;)

Bryanna

I think my appointment went really well. Armed with the question about the margin of the crown on the gums, I proceeded to tell the dentist that I didn't want to have anymore root canals. I told him that if I keep having pain, I would opt for extraction and partials on my upper molars. When I asked him where the margin of the crown would be, he said they always try to get it at the gumline, but that sometimes it will hit a little below. I didn't press any further on that.

I did tell him that I have MS and seem to get infections quicker than others, esp. sinus and tooth. He agreed that harboring infection is not good and extraction would be better for me if I don't start feeling better. I asked him about the process for the upper molar partials and he explained that in pretty good detail.

So, we have a plan, and he knows what I will be doing. They placed my other crown and it feels fine. I feel I will be taken better care of now that I've explained what I expect. I hope I can keep this other tooth, the pain seems to come and go, but I can't live on ibuprofen forever. I will give it until mid next week, then make the decision.

Thank you so much Bryanna and ginnie!

Gretchen,

So glad to hear you had a good dental visit! Without a doubt in my mind, the patients who gently but assertively let their concerns and decisions be known to their dentist get the best dental care.... by far! Your dentist did not feel threatened by your questions or that you were second guessing him because you presented yourself simply and decidedly. You do know what is best for you and now he does too :)

So hope this tooth calms down and behaves itself!! There is no harm in waiting a few weeks if you think you have to. So long as the pain does not increase or you do not develop additional symptoms.

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you :>

Thanks for keeping us posted!
Bryanna

I did have to get the extraction on #14 and I got it done today. The OS said everything went well and that the tooth under the temp crown had a crack in it, which he thought was the reason it hurt. Funny, because my dentist had told me that he had drilled out the fracture. :rolleyes: I also did not have any sinus exposure with this tooth - another plus.

Another bad thing - last Wednesday I had the perm crown put on my other tooth, the next day it chipped when eating beans, a large chip, exposing part of my back tooth. :rolleyes: Friday they were not in and I also couldn't see him, the dentist, today because of the extraction appointment.

So, I have an appointment to have the dentist look at the chipped crown next Wednesday. I'm beginning to think I will have to look for yet another dentist. It's so hard to find a good one as well as an honest one. In fact, I haven't found one yet!

I'm presuming I will be reimbursed for the crown I've already paid for on #14, which is now extracted. I also assume I will have this other crown replaced at no extra charge. Do you know anything about that, Bryanna?

Some luck I have, huh? :mad: Gretchen - Thanks!

Hi Gretchen,

Oh crud :/ I hope things start to look up for you... this has been enough already!

Glad you made the decision to remove #14 and not mess with doing the rc and inevitable complications. The depth of the fracture could have been non visible to the dentist when he prepped the tooth.... that is common. I hope this one site heals well :) Yes, you dentist should reimburse you 100% of the crown fee for #14.

Regarding the chip in the new crown.... oye. The porcelain usually cracks off because..... 1) the bite was off or 2) the integrity of the porcelain was compromised either during the lab processing or when the dentist drilled into it to adjust the bite at the time of the insertion. Depending on how large a chip and the location determines if a new crown has to be made. If it has to be replaced, you should not be charged a dime more for it.

Okay... now behave yourself and don't run into any more trouble!
Bryanna ~'.'~

Hi gdmcor
 

Hi, I just have a comment. If my dentist fixed a cracked tooth and put a crown over it, then I lost the tooth anyway, I would be furious. He owed it to you to tell you that cracked tooth may not be anygood to hold onto a crown. Those are expensive I sure know about that. Some dentists are in it only for the money, and do treatments that may not hold up. You are right that finding a good dentist is hard. It took me most of my life. However, looking for a new dentist is the right thing to do. So sorry you are going through all this expensive treatments. Getting a refund... I am not sure many dentists would do this. I hope you do get a refund. ginnie

Ginnie, I was more mad that my new crown chipped! :mad: The dentist did say that I might need a root canal, but he hoped not. Sure...they also do root canals, but I wouldn't have had him do it anyway. :rolleyes:

Bryanna, I just can't seem to stay out of trouble with the dentists. I don't know if it's me or if it's them, but I'd like to think it's them! :D

I will make sure that I am reimbursed for the crown that I paid for on #14! At least I only had the temp crown on when it was extracted.

I feel that I will need a new crown made, I'm getting food stuck in the chipped area and it's very annoying. It's a rather large chip and I will be mad (very mad) if it's not replaced.

I like my new attitude towards dentists, it's their problem, not mine! :wink:

Thanks to both of you! Gretchen

Hi Gretchen
 

I really hope you get that refund, and that you find a good dentist. Good grief it took me most of my life to find one, no joke.
I chipped a front tooth a week ago on a peach pit. I have small hairline fractures on all my front teeth. She repaired it like magic, no needles, and it was the first time a drill was put on my tooth without me being scared. It is such a relief to finally find that special dentist you trust. You need that in your own life, and not to get the run around with what treatments you need. I thank Bryanna, as it was her that got me to find the proper treatments. I am glad I listened! Hope it all works out for you. Let me know what happens. ginnie

Gretchen,

Your dentist didn't do anything out of the norm as far as preparing that tooth for a crown... fracture and all. He did indicate to you that this tooth may be in trouble and that is why when he put the temp on, he agreed to give it some time before putting on the permanent one. So the light at the end of that tunnel is that he feel obligated to reimburse you since the tooth was removed so soon after the preparation of the tooth. Just gently make it clear that you would like to be reimbursed now.

The chipped crown will need to be fixed or replaced and the cost of doing that would be on him.

Keep us posted!

Bryanna

I will keep you both informed, and thanks for being here for me!
:hug: Gretchen

Well, I didn't think I'd be back here until Monday, after I see the OS, or even Wednesday, after I see the dentist.

However....now my tooth #14 that was extracted on Monday, is still hurting. To be more specific, the gums are very sore, and the tooth next to the site, #13, is sore and throbbing. :eek:

Bryanna, my main question is about tooth 13. Why would it hurt when I touch it slightly or esp. when I happen to chew on it? I know it was right next to the one extracted, but still, it doesn't make sense to me.

Also my left sinus is still very sore and bothering me. It pretty much feels the way it did before the extraction and that's not good. What about a dry socket?

Like I said, I see the OS on Monday; what should I make sure to ask him and have him look for?

Honestly, I'm so tired of all of this, but I won't give up until the pain is gone.

Thank you so much for your help and reassurances, Bryanna and ginnie, I am glad I have knowledgeable and compassionate people to talk to about this!

Gretchen

Hi gretchen
 

I will let Bryanna talk about this, as I am not sure. Sometimes infection in the bone can go to the next tooth. I hope this is not the case, and that you are just in the beginning stages of healing. Just mild salt water rinses. ginnie:hug:

Hi Gretchen,

Sounds to me like you may have some plaque accumulated near 13/14 site. Yes, it is normal for the adjacent teeth to the extracted tooth to feel sore or tender, especially is you are using them to chew with. Each tooth shares a portion of bone with the tooth next to it. So when that bone is disturbed during the extraction, it can cause the adjacent teeth to become temporarily vulnerable or overly sensitive to touch or chewing. It is best to avoid touching a sore tooth like that. So if you have to go to a soft food diet to avoid chewing there, then that may be your best bet.

A dry socket is very painful and OTC medications generally cannot ease it. It needs to be treated by the OS and sometimes more than one time. The jaw generally feels hot and inflamed, the pain may radiate along the entire jaw line, the patient may run a fever, and the throbbing can be relentless. Are you experiencing any of those symptoms?

The sinus may be sore if there was any communication between the tooth and the sinus membrane. There could have been a small perforation or just an irritation. Also sometimes the surgery to remove an upper molar will cause inflammation along the sinus which would feel sore for several days.

Ask the OS about a sinus communication during the extraction. Show him on the outside of your face where the sinus is tender and give a little detail like when it is most sore, when it's not. Any other symptoms like nasal discharge, post nasal drip, bad (salty) taste... anything like that he should know about. Ask him if #13 looks healthy, explain the soreness.

Hope this helps!
Bryanna

Bryanna, I have some throbbing from the area, my left ear feels full and hurts at times, and there is the same spot on the jaw that is sore. This morning the pain was pretty bad, but it has decreased some for now. There is post nasal drip, but that's a norm for me anyway!

I will go to more soft foods and avoid chewing on that tooth.

Thank you for the examples of questions to ask the OS on Monday. Also thank you for your prompt response!

I'll be so glad/grateful when I can get off ibuprofen and painkillers!

Gretchen :Thank you:

Gretchen,

I know you are grateful and I appreciate your kind words ;) I am trying so hard to help you :)

Again, your symptoms could be normal due to post op inflammation in the jawbone and sinus... or it could be bacteria related. There is no way I can tell over the internet :<

If it is throbbing when you get up in the morning and then eases up during the day you may find some relief if you sleep propped up as this puts less pressure on that area of your sinuses. You know once the inflammation sets in.. and it does after an extraction... anything you do (consciously or unconsciously) to irritate it will make it hurt. So the first 2 weeks or so after an extraction is truly a time of intense healing and we often become impatient and just want to get on with life already. Especially when the problem had been a lingering one :/ I'm not saying this is what you have done but it is so easy to do and not realize it!

It's funny (well stupid funny) but years ago as a set post op protocol we use to instruct patients who had any upper tooth removed to ..... <<not bend over as to put your head down to tie your shoe, not blow the nose, not chew on that side, not do any strenuous activity that resulted in labored breathing through the mouth, prop up the head for sleeping>>.... along with the other usual not to's for a 2 week period. Perhaps we should get back to those instructions!

Try using a couple of pillows to sleep on tonight and see if that helps. Also, you could use a warm, moist wash cloth on that outside area of your face a few times a day to see if that ease the inflammation a bit.

Keep us posted... hopefully it is healing okay and you will feel better in a day or two.

Bryanna

I just saw your response, Bryanna, and believe me, you are a big help! :)

What you said about bending over, funny, but that does increase the pressure in my sinus area.

I will use some heat and sleep propped up tonight. I pray that it is just inflammation and not a dry socket, but if it is, that too shall pass.

You're right, I do want to get on with my life already, but sometimes "life" has other ideas. :mad:

I will let you know what the OS says on Monday, and how the chipped crown app. goes on Wednesday with the dentist.

Patience was never one of my strong points, but it's so needed now.
Thanks! Gretchen :hug:

Gretchen,

I think you have been very tolerant and have taken one step at a time. But anyone would become "done" by this point..... me included!

Life will go on.... and you will be okay.

Have a nice weekend.... let me know if you need me.. or ginnie ;))

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna and ginnie, :)

I saw my OS this morning for the post op check up on #14. I told him of the pain I'd been having, which has lessened in the last day, thankfully. He checked the site, removed the last stitch, and told me it looked good, though still a little puffy. There was a blood clot though, no dry socket.

He said the pain sounded normal, it was an extraction after all - he said. :rolleyes:

I also told him of my jaw pain and the root canal in tooth #17 (I believe it is). He asked how long I'd had the root canal and I believe it's been about 4 years. Anyway, he was in a hurry, otherwise I would have had him x-ray the tooth. I told him I could be back for another one if that's bad.

I do have the appointment on Wednesday to get the chipped crown looked at, and I will have them take an x-ray.

I had an awful MS experience Saturday night at a restaurant. I got up to walk to our table and my left leg/knee began to feel weak, I had some weird pain and just collapsed. Luckily I had my husband to grab onto as I fell, so no injuries.

We went to the ER, I was worried about a stroke, I had never fallen before with MS. I got a CAT scan and no bleeding, so I was relieved. Blood work and an EKG were normal as well. So it was attributed to the MS.

My MS is activated when my immune system goes into overdrive (infection or stress), so this shows you just what this tooth has been putting me through. For 3weeks, ever since the dentist did the prep on it for the crown, I've been feeling ill and under power.

A little more work to do, but I'm getting there....Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,


Well I am glad that the #14 site is feeling better and it's healing okay ;))

However, I am so sorry you had an awful experience this weekend at the restaurant!! Very glad you are okay but jeez what an upsetting situation!! I deal with so many emergency situations at my work yet when one occurs with myself or my family..... it drains me so badly!! I hope you are feeling much better by now ~'.'~

I agree that it would be wise to have #17 checked out radiographically asap. You cannot risk a chronic infection or the stress over the possibility of one!

The other day on the Rachel Ray show she had Montel Williams on as her guest. As you may know he has MS. He has altered his life so drastically and had some interesting inspirations to share. I just thought if you were interested you could google him and read a bit about how he has transformed his life. He is exceptionally motivating!

Okay so no more incidents.... ok :)

Let us know how wednesday goes. And don't stress over that appointment. Your dentist will feel obligated to do right by you.~;>

Bryanna

Bryanna, I am feeling better, thanks! It was a relief to know I didn't have a stroke!

Montel is my MS super hero! His attitude and "never give up" persona are so contagious and inspirational. I just love him!
I'm going to try his green smoothie also.:) He's in better shape and eats healthier than most "healthy" people!

I'll let you know how Wednesday goes....Gretchen

Hi Bryanna, I'm posting a pic from tooth 18, it has a root canal. The dentist said it looked okay, but my bite was really off, which can cause jaw pain. He adjusted it and it seems a lot better. I will post more, I just wanted to see if you got this file.

Thanks, Gretchen

Hi Grethcen,

Thanks for posting the xray. You already know my opinion about it :/

Is there something embedded in the bone behind this tooth that is appearing as a very white spot on the xray? Like a piece of mercury or piece of an instrument?? It could be an artifact on the xray. Just thought I'd ask.

Bryanna

Bryanna, I was just wondering if you saw an active infection, if not, the extraction of it will have to wait until I get my MS under control.

I don't know anything about the white spot on the other tooth. :confused: I've had several dentists in the past, so I don't even know who did the crown!

I'm hoping the dentist's adjustments will get rid of my left jaw and ear pain; my bite apparently was really off, and I was only landing on the left side.

Anyway, I had another incident of spasms, weakness and pain in my left leg and arm today. So, it's time to go to the doctor and see what's up. Everything's on the left side. :eek:

I'll have to get another temp crown made for the other tooth that was chipped, but I didn't have it done today, with site #14 still sensitive. The dentist seems to think I need a stronger material made for the next one.

Oh, and they credited the amount I paid on the crown for tooth 14.

Thanks for everything again! Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,

Let me clarify the white spot I was talking about on the xray...

Looking at the xray, to the right of the root canaled tooth down towards the roots "embedded in the bone" there is a bright shiny white object. It appears to have a black outline around it which may indicate bacteria. Any chance you have an xray that was taken further back to view that area?? Also, the rc tooth has the root structure of a wisdom tooth.... is it your wisdom tooth?

Gretchen, the rc tooth does not appear to be abscessed at this time. However it is not healthy in that #1 it is root canaled and therefore it is harboring necrotic bacteria which compromises the immune system #2 there is some change in the bone in what is called the furcation area. This area is located in the center of the root structure.... in between where the roots come together in the middle. This change indicates bacteria and inflammation.

I am thinking there is a correlation between your left jaw both upper and lower and your physical symptoms on your left side. Here is a link to the tooth and organ chart. This theory is very valid and has been in practice for many centuries in chinese medicine. The way you look at it is... you click on a tooth number that correlates with your own teeth and read what organs and body parts that tooth connects to. It is just as important to click on the adjacent teeth as they share the same bundle of nerves and body meridians.

http://toothbody.com/wp-content/uplo...v2.1_rehme.swf

Let me know what you think!
Bryanna

hey everyone
 

Hey there im new to this site and thought I would check it out. My problem is that I got 3 wisdom teeth removed in april and my bottom left side of lip and chin have been numb since. I was told that happens sometimes but im afraid it could be permanent nerve damage :( any suggestions on what I can do?

Hi Shawnie, I would start a new thread stating your problem, so that Bryanna and others can help you with it.

Good luck, Gretchen :)

Bryanna, All four of my wisdom teeth were taken out when I was about 20 years old. Also the dentist told me this was tooth #18.

As for the white spot on that other tooth, I now remember who did that crown. At first she did an onlay, so as to save as much of the tooth as possible. It had cracked when I was eating something and had a large amount of silver filling in it.

About a year later, the onlay became loose, so I went back in and had a full crown put on it. Never did it hurt at any time. The onlay was never too secure in my opinion, and it only covered half of the tooth, so perhaps bacteria got in during the time it was on?

I don't know if that explains the white spot, but it's all I know about it. What do you think?

The tooth/organ chart is very interesting and makes me more convinced that my MS symptoms may be attributed to the tooth problems I've been having.

As soon as I get some MRI's done and have a consult with my doctor and neurologist, I will likely get the extraction done on 18.

Thanks again, Bryanna, and let me know what you think of the onlay connection to the white spot!

Gretchen :)

Gretchen,

Let me clarify again.... not the white spot on the first molar. Actually that looks like a piece of mercury filling still in that tooth underneath that crown. I am referring to the shiny white area <<in the bone to the right>> of the rc tooth. It looks like there is something embedded in the bone but the xray only shows a small portion of it. Do you see where I am talking about?

I believe that you had your wisdom teeth out. I'm just pointing out that the rc tooth has the root structure of a wisdom tooth which means the large canals can be more difficult to gain access during a root canal procedure because they tend to be fused together rather than separate like they are with your first molar. Sometimes second molars look this way... not often, but sometimes.

I wish you physician and neurologist were more knowledgeable about the correlation between oral and physical health. But chances are, they aren't. However, I would suggest that you inform both of them that you had a painful tooth removed in the upper left and have a root canaled tooth in the lower left. Also, it would be a good idea to get an xray of the area behind that rc tooth to see what that is in the jaw bone just in case it's something contributing to your other problems.

Hang in there...
Bryanna

Okay, I see what you're talking about, Bryanna. I was only looking at the teeth, nothing outside of them.

I am hoping it's nothing, but I'll show it to the dentist when I go back for the temp crown re-make.

My main focus now will have to be to get some help for these spasms, now that a full MS exacerbation is going, I need immediate solutions. I do not believe a root canalled tooth could be causing all of what I'm going through.

I've had MS for 27 years, with a virus probably the cause, in my case.

Thank you for your help!
Gretchen

Gretchen,

I know it seems far fetched..... but oral health plays a huge role in systemic health. I'm not implying that we should blame all health problems on our teeth, but ill teeth do affect our immune system.

Yes, please ask your dentist about that area at your next appointment. If he doesn't have a recent xray of that spot, it may be wise to take one.

I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly. I hope things calm down for you very soon.
We're here if you need us :)

Bryanna

I appreciate you being here and offering help and suggestions, Bryanna. :)

You're right, doctors don't seem to take note of oral health. Today when I mentioned having just had two painful tooth extractions, the girl taking info down just said, "that's okay, we don't need to know that".

I wasn't sure what to say, but was somewhat disappointed in her lack of concern and knowledge of total body care and connection. It's surprising, to say the least.

Health care in general is so bad now, you have to be a self advocate or you'll get no where.

I was told today, when trying to get a neurologist referral, that one would have to approve me first, before accepting me. My doctor actually said that a lot of neuros won't take patients with MS anymore! They first have to have the patient's total history and all their paperwork before seeing if they want them as a new client. :eek:

I simply couldn't believe it!

I'll check back with you all when I have new info. :) Gretchen

Gretchen,

Mainstream doctors rarely take oral health into consideration unless their patient brings it up. Even then, they often turn a blind eye to it. Their medical training does teach them about the consequences of systemic infections from oral infections.... but for some reason they never remember to ask on simple question... How is your dental health?

Integrative physicians or functional medicine physicians tend to ask their patients about their dental health because they are usually looking past the symptoms and into the cause of a problem.

Depending on your medical insurance, if you are not required to have a primary care physician or gate keeper it use to be (don't know if it still is) that you could chose the specialist of your choice. Perhaps you could check in to your insurance to see if you can do that.??

I find it hard to believe that a neuro dr would want the notes of a general practitioner to base his decision on whether or not to accept a patient simply because the note would not entail enough information. If that is true, I think that is stupid.

Don't just take your drs word on this.. call your insurance and find out. This is crazy indeed!!

Bryanna

Shawnie
 

Hi Shawnie,

Have you been back to the oral surgeon that removed your wisdom teeth? If so has he taken a panoramic xray of your mouth and what were his reasons for the long term paresthesia?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna, I think I will call my insurance and ask some questions about specialists.

I do like my PC doctor, she does what I ask, takes tests that I want, etc. I think I will get a quicker app. if they get one for me.

There are a lot of neuros who don't know a lot about MS. An MS specialist or clinic is the best place to go, but I would have to research that a lot. Right now I just need good relief from these spasms I'm now having daily.

Thank you for everything......:) Gretchen