Re: Teeth.....Again.... FRUSTRATION

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@reviewer from sc wrote:
I've never had a crown or anything like that. I've only had a few teeth filled. I went to the dentist last year for a tooth that was bothering me. Fortunately, it just need a little filling. However, my mother said that if they suggest a crown or root canel, absolutely say no. She said it's better to pull the tooth than to get a crown. They just cause trouble down the road. From what I hear from other people, my mother is right. I would hate to lose a tooth, but if it's gone, it'll never bother you again. Might have to get dentures or a partial, but it's better than throwing away good money after bad and STILL having troubles with the tooth. Just my two cents...

I have several crowns that I've had for (without being too specific) decades. Literally. (Grew up poor and dental visits weren't on the high priority list.) They have not caused me any further issues, but I make sure to practice good dental hygiene, with regular visits to the dentist.

Pulling a tooth, when it can be saved is, IMO, a poor decision. It affects the position of the rest of your teeth and also the bone density in your jaw.

As for "might have to get dentures"? Well, that brings its own set of "troubles". I'd do whatever I had to, to save a natural tooth every time. Fortunately, I've been lucky in my adult life to have excellent dentists.

@SeaMaiden - I'm sorry you're having these issues. I had one root canal in a crowned tooth and the orthodontist who did it was amazing. It was over in minutes, no pain at all. That was about 20 years ago. My regular dentist did give me a course of antibiotics beforehand to ensure there was no infection present. I'm surprised that hasn't been suggested to you.

carlycat · ‎06-07-2010

I have been getting an implant...for over a year. It takes forever. I had tooth recision, which is basically that the tooth dies from the inside. Not a cavity. Had it extracted, and a bone graft. Four to five months to recover. Then the post put in, another surgery, another 3 months. Add in waiting for appointments, and Covid. Now I am at the last step, the crown placed on the post...and my dentist got Covid. Rescheduled for September.

When it is finally done, it will be like a new tooth, just like natural. IT BETTER BE, after 14 months and $3300.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@cindyNC wrote:
@Love orchids This procedure was new to me.........composite fillings at the gumline

Filling material: Something else we can do which doesn’t fix the recession but it can fix recession related sensitivity is to bond filling material over the area of recession covering it up and insulating it so that you can drink ice water eat ice cream and do those things comfortably.
I had about 5 of these done last week and it made a huge difference with sensitivity. I don't think it will cure or change the recession.

That kind of treatment is also called tooth bonding. I'm looking into that for some of my teeth. Some dentists say that if the bonding at the gumline isn't done correctly then there can be small spaces where plaque can form which can lead to more problems down the road. One of my dentists told me he wouldn't bond my teeth b/c of that. I talked with another dentist about bonding and she told me to come in and she will evaluate my situ. So it all depends on your particular condition of recession, tooth quality and positions of the teeth involved.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@SeaMaiden --i didn't reaad thru all the comments you got--so why didn't you get put on anti biotics first to see if that would get rid of the infection? And then if they think you will lose that tooth anyway--why go thru a root canal----gawd I hate the dentist some times----what happened to less invasive things first????

KCDiva · ‎03-09-2010

I would pull it. I am sorry but I have spent thousands at the dentist and have ultimately had to have some teeth pulled. Teeth that had root canals. I've had bridges, crowns, braces, .... I could have bought several new cars and my teeth are horrible,. It's hereditary according to every dentist I've seen. My dad's teeth were like this. I'm dealing with a problem as a result of grinding my teeth over the years. UGH!! Why is dental care so expensive?

Pink123 · ‎07-10-2019

Sorry your having so many problems @SeaMaiden with your teeth. I have quite a few root canals myself. One I had to do it again several years ago. They call it re-treat.....unreal.

@Skyegirl21 I too had LANAP full mouth laser treatment for my gums 4 years ago. It's a miracle and it works. Some bone grew as well. Takes about a year for full results. It was costly ($10,000) but well worth it. My gums are now so healthy and it's been 4 years. I beileve in using proxabrushes in between the teeth and I mostly gently brush my gums inside and out. It's important to brush the inside of your teeth.

@SeaMaiden I would try to save the tooth if possible. Best of luck.

missy mouse · ‎03-10-2010

Dental hygienist here for 40 years. I would get a second opinion on the root canal. I don't understand when she said there is too much infection. Why didn't your general dentist see the infection before the crown. Should always take x-ray before doing crown. If another endodontist says the same thing have the tooth extracted. It won't make much difference if the lower molars are missing but could make chewing difficult. If you have serious bone loss what's the cause. Periodontal disease or osteoporosis. Sounds like you may want to look for a different dentist. Your teeth are important. Chewing correctly starts your digestion process. If you have poor bone in your jaw how is the bone in your body. Did you ever take drugs for osteoporosis. They can cause osteonecrosis. Good luck.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@reviewer from sc wrote:
I've never had a crown or anything like that. I've only had a few teeth filled. I went to the dentist last year for a tooth that was bothering me. Fortunately, it just need a little filling. However, my mother said that if they suggest a crown or root canel, absolutely say no. She said it's better to pull the tooth than to get a crown. They just cause trouble down the road. From what I hear from other people, my mother is right. I would hate to lose a tooth, but if it's gone, it'll never bother you again. Might have to get dentures or a partial, but it's better than throwing away good money after bad and STILL having troubles with the tooth. Just my two cents...
@reviewer from sc absolutely right that a crown will eventually lead to a root canal....and later to a failed root canal....but a root canal can last a long long time before you need to pull the tooth.

Yes! I had that happen to every root canal I had. The root canal eventually failed. AND the tooth is "dead" after the root canal fail so removing it can be difficult. The tooth comes out in pieces.

I learned the hard way and after MUCH money that I should have just gone with an implant rather than root canal and several crowns.

To be honest I think my Dentist just liked the money he was making on all the new crowns that I needed.

I will also be honest with you, I never had an implant fail. Maybe if I did, I would have a different opinion.

whatsmyname · ‎03-19-2010

Hi SeaMaiden,

This topic strikes close to home for me. Eight years ago I got a crown due to tooth decay and my dentist cracked my tooth during the procedure. As a result, my root was exposed and after six weeks of excruciating pain, I was sent to an endodontist for a root canal. It took three years before I could chew on it and my gums are still sensitive. Incidentally, when the endodontist put the crown back on after the root canal, he accidentally used permanent (instead of temporary) adhesive, so my dentist couldn’t get it back off to remove the packing, fit it properly, and permanently put it back on. As a result it was left as is. I’ve always questioned if that’s the problem, but everyone says no.

Fast forward to last fall, my dentist said I needed a root canal and crown in the tooth next to the one talked about above, again due to decay and she also thought that maybe it was also causing the gum sensitivity I was still having after eight years. So back to the endodontist I went, had a root canal in July 2021. It took until November before I could chew on it even a little. Dentist thought maybe because the temporary crown wasn’t fitting that well so recommended we proceed with the permanent crown. To this day, it still hurts when I chew on it and my gums above those two teeth are really sore and inflamed. They say I don’t have an infection, just inflammation.

I went to a different dentist in May. He recommended I give it until November and if it’s not better, which I have no expectation that it will be, he will send me to a gum specialist.

I’m very frustrated too, and very discouraged. The thing is, neither tooth was bothering me before I had the procedures.

patbz · ‎03-10-2010

DH and I have both regularly gone to dentist several times a year since early childhood. We are both in our 70s and my teeth are beautiful ( many dentist have said that I have "amazing natural teeth" ( one crown, several fillings, never braces etc). DH is the opposite: 2 sets of implants failed ($50k) and now he has dentures. He's had specialists galore; care is important but so is heredity!