topic Re: dental bridge question in Wellness

dental bridge question

151949 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:11:07 GMT

My DH had a bridge that was loose - he went to a dentist we don't know because we still use our Pittsburgh dentist . But we were here in Fl so off he goes. The dentist tells him there is a cavity in the tooth the bridge is glued to and it will cost $3000 to get the bridge removed , and a new one made and the tooth filled. So ok - back in Dec he had this done - the tooth was filled and a temporary bridge was made until the new bridge comes in. It is now 6 weeks later - the bridge came in and did not fit so had to be sent back. the temporary keeps falling off and he has to go in and get it reglued. Meanwhile - he has pain in that tooth - even when the temporary is covering it , it still hurts him and is sensitive to cold and heat and pressure.He never had any pain before this all started.The dentist keeps saying it will be fine once the new bridge is in place. I keep arguing with my DH that it is not ok for this tooth to continue to be painful and that I think it needs a root canal.He just keeps repeating that I don't know anything and the dentist knows better - and all it needs is time - well isn't 6 weeks a long enough time for this to not be hurting anymore? I have never felt any pain at all when either of my bridges were made and placed. I think this is gpoing to fester into something much worse.

Does anyone have any experience with pain and having a bridge made?

Re: dental bridge question

Yardlie — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:28:42 GMT

Sounds like it is time for a second opinion.

Re: dental bridge question

Tegchacha — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:18:36 GMT

I'm a dental hygienist so I'll give you my opinion. First, I've never heard of it taking 6 weeks to get a bridge back from a lab. Anyway, it could possibly feel better once the permanent bridge is cemented. The temporary material provides zero protection from hot/cold. The temporary could also not fit correctly causing his bite to be off. This will cause a tooth to feel"bruised" so to speak and exhibit the symptoms you describe. I would suggest that once the permanent one comes in, that he have it cemented with temporary cement and wear it a week or so to see if his symptoms subside. That way if he did need a root canal, the bridge could be slipped off so to speak and wouldn't have to be drilled into. Although an examination by an endodontist wouldn't be a bad idea in the mean time.

Re: dental bridge question

jbwnewtaw — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:26:23 GMT

I am also a dental hygienist. If the bridge didn't fit and had to be sent back to the lab 6 weeks is not an unreasonable amount of time. I have been a dental hygienist for 19 yrs and in my experience sensitivity to hot and cold and pressure means the nerve is going bad and will need a root canal.

Re: dental bridge question

151949 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:45:28 GMT

On 1/22/2015 jbwnewtaw said: I am also a dental hygienist. If the bridge didn't fit and had to be sent back to the lab 6 weeks is not an unreasonable amount of time. I have been a dental hygienist for 19 yrs and in my experience sensitivity to hot and cold and pressure means the nerve is going bad and will need a root canal.

I felt the same way, I would really hate it if he finally got the permanent bridge on , only to find out it would be another $3000 to remove it to have a root canal.

Re: dental bridge question

F1wilder — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:16:04 GMT

Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist since '96. I also work with our state's malpractice case exams. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal, permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. If it calms down or root canal is needed, removing the bridge with the temp cement is easy-peasy. HTH!!

Re: dental bridge question

151949 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:24:01 GMT

On 1/22/2015 F1wilder said:
Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. HTH!!

You don't seem to get it - every time they have to work on this tooth it costs us $3000 to get the bridge removed and replaced. It's not like they just take it off and work on the tooth and put it back on. Our dentist in Pa did a root canal on one of my teeth right through the bridge but this dentist here just insists that he will have to remove the bridge if he has to do any work on the tooth later.They have not done any x rays at all.

Re: dental bridge question

pattypeep — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:39:11 GMT

HH, don't shoot the messenger.

Re: dental bridge question

Sunshine Kate — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:44:16 GMT

On 1/22/2015 twopeas said:
HH, don't shoot the messenger.

That's what I say.

Re: dental bridge question

cater — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:48:18 GMT

It might be a better idea to buy a ticket to come to Pittsburgh and have a dentist you TRUST work on his teeth then throwing away $3000. every time you go into the office. My friends husband had to have medical work done while they were in Florida for the winter, after getting run a round with the doctor down in Florida they made appointments up here with the doctors they knew and he flew up here and we picked him up at the airport and he stayed till every thing was done then went and spent the rest of the winter in Florida. For me when there is a pain in one of my teeth I am in the dentist chair and that tooth is taken care before any thing else is done. I can't stand a toothache.

Re: dental bridge question

bonnielu — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:57:14 GMT

My bridge came out 3 times and the last time I thought I would swallow it. That bad. I finally decided enough was enough. I am getting an implant, three teeth. To make it worse my other side of mouth started acting up. Failed root canal twice. So more implants for me. By June I should be fine and dandy. All the root canals and bridges and crown were not done by the same dentist. This was work over time and I do have a family history for this kind of thing.

For me implants are the way to go. Heck it is only money and I am so tired of pain and swallowing crowns and almost choking on bridges, etc. My nickname is calamity. And other family members in different states have undergone the same problems, so I am not going to blame the dental community who is trying to help me.

Re: dental bridge question

Allegheny — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 05:34:18 GMT

On 1/22/2015 happy housewife said:
On 1/22/2015 F1wilder said:
Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. HTH!!

You don't seem to get it - every time they have to work on this tooth it costs us $3000 to get the bridge removed and replaced. It's not like they just take it off and work on the tooth and put it back on. Our dentist in Pa did a root canal on one of my teeth right through the bridge but this dentist here just insists that he will have to remove the bridge if he has to do any work on the tooth later.They have not done any x rays at all.

I understand what F1wilder has explained and suggested as having worked in a dental clinic for many years. I think you would feel better if you called your dentist in PA and talked to him about this. You trust him and he can give you the best guidance.

Re: dental bridge question

Desertdi — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 05:49:18 GMT

On 1/22/2015 Brinklii said:
Sounds like it is time for a second opinion.

Definitely find another FL dentist. And don't tell the ""new"" one what the previous one said.....just go cold turkey.

Re: dental bridge question

F1wilder — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:15:02 GMT

On 1/22/2015 happy housewife said:
On 1/22/2015 F1wilder said:
Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. HTH!!

You don't seem to get it - every time they have to work on this tooth it costs us $3000 to get the bridge removed and replaced. It's not like they just take it off and work on the tooth and put it back on. Our dentist in Pa did a root canal on one of my teeth right through the bridge but this dentist here just insists that he will have to remove the bridge if he has to do any work on the tooth later.They have not done any x rays at all.

No, you don't seem to get it, HH. Did you read my post? I used layman's terms, like I would for my own patients. You asked if anyone had experience with this matter, you received replies from licenced dental professionals yet you're ignoring the sound advice. Pain doesn't equal root canal therapy in every case. PA xray is needed. Bridge can be affixed with TEMPORARY CEMENT. Dentists don't just have bridges fabricated over and over without a complete diagnosis.

If you had chest pain and went to the ER would you expect not to have a diagnostic workup and just be sent to the OR for cardiac surgery? I understand your concern, but listen to the advice you ask for.

BTW, wasn't your DH in the hospital less than a week ago because of a stroke, as you had mentioned in other threads? I don't know if a dentist, specialist or not, would want to rush into anything at this point.

Please re-read my post, unless you are not really asking for advice.

Re: dental bridge question

occasionalrain — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:30:00 GMT

I wouldn't pay 3k to an unknown dentist. I'd buy a plane ticket to the dentist I trusted.

Re: dental bridge question

beauty junkie — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:39:10 GMT

They can do root canal through a crown thats on with perm. cement, and this tooth needs endo stat.

Re: dental bridge question

151949 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:38:57 GMT

I suggested to my DH at the beginning of all this that it may be worthwhile to fly up to Pittsburgh and have it done there. He could stay with his family. He absolutely refused to even consider it.

This dentist has not done anything to try to figure out why this tooth is still so sensitive - instead he just keeps saying it will be fine once the permanent bridge is on and that it is just hurting because it is exposed.I have had bridges come off and had to wait a few days to get them glued back in - I have never had any pain when that happened. So i just don't understand why my DH's is so sensitive.

I tried to tell my DH that I would not let them put this bridge on permanently until this is resolved and he got really angry.

I suggested at the dentist that they not glue it down permanently until this is resolved and the dentist said that the way to resolve it is to put the bridge on permanently.

Re: dental bridge question

moonstone dunes — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:04:45 GMT

Meanwhile - he has pain in that tooth - even when the temporary is covering it , it still hurts him and is sensitive to cold and heat and pressure

he needs a root canal! yesterday!

cementing the permanent bridge will not fix that pain!!! and that dentist sounds like a crook.

Re: dental bridge question

151949 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:12:50 GMT

On 1/23/2015 moonstone dunes said:
Meanwhile - he has pain in that tooth - even when the temporary is covering it , it still hurts him and is sensitive to cold and heat and pressure

he needs a root canal! yesterday!

cementing the permanent bridge will not fix that pain!!! and that dentist sounds like a crook.

I think so too. Unfortunately my DH will not listen to reason on this subject.

Re: dental bridge question

Jova — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:33:49 GMT

They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement.

This is what my dentist did when I had pain in my tooth and the endo and dentist were not sure if I needed a root canal. They watched the tooth for a month for so, to see what would happen with it. Sometimes the pain is from the tooth not being protected properly, or a very deep cavity, just as an FYI. I would see an Endo, and have them do the x-rays though, just in case a root canal is needed. I had to have a second bridge put in after only 5 years because I needed more dental work. I can't even tell you how much money went down the drain, even with dental insurance.

I am sorry your husband is going through this, it is so frustrating.