How long have I got?

Moany Michael

I have a heavily filled tooth. It's has given me trouble previously (pain) but when x rayed nothing showed up as being problematic. The dentist gave me some anti biotics & the pain went away, I went back a couple of times to him & although the tooth was sore to touch/tap ) It still is... he couldn't see a problem so did nothing else.

A piece of the tooth fell out on Sunday/Monday. It's not hurting so far but I'm wondering how long I might have? I go away tomorrow for a few days... am I mad risking a long flight.. should I be getting an emergency appointment or might I be ok for a while? I fear for root canal/crown and would rather get that done up north for cost reasons.

Any advise would be great?

ballsymchugh

Moany Michael wrote: »

I have a heavily filled tooth. It's has given me trouble previously (pain) but when x rayed nothing showed up as being problematic. The dentist gave me some anti biotics & the pain went away, I went back a couple of times to him & although the tooth was sore to touch/tap ) It still is... he couldn't see a problem so did nothing else.

A piece of the tooth fell out on Sunday/Monday. It's not hurting so far but I'm wondering how long I might have? I go away tomorrow for a few days... am I mad risking a long flight.. should I be getting an emergency appointment or might I be ok for a while? I fear for root canal/crown and would rather get that done up north for cost reasons.

Any advise would be great?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLlRgpZ3oqc

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHIU8RGphlY

has it only been painful when it's tapped, or has it been painful without any outside interference??

Moany Michael

There was pain about 6 months ago but after taking anti biotics that pain went away leaving pain only when tapped. It's still like that since the piece fell out & at the moment no further pain. What you think? Will I last till after my trip?

ballsymchugh

was thinking maybe a cracked tooth, but if antibiotics have made a difference like that then it's probably infected. can't say without seeing the state of the tooth or an xray. the only thing is, antibiotics treat the infection but not the cause of it so it's liable to flare up anytime. 6 months is a long time not to get some more pain though. if i were you, i'd get another script just for peace of mind. but get it sorted when you get back.

Moany Michael

Thanks. My dentist took an x ray but nothing showed up, so he said he'd keep an eye on it & I went back a few times for work on other teeth. That one was fine bar the soreness when tapping but then the chunk fell out. He has retired now so not sure if I rock up to a new dentist they'll give a script but I might call around. Thanks

Moany Michael

So the dentist put something temp in place and did another x ray & told me to go back again after my trip. The tooth is heavily filled and the x ray is hard to read...he reckoned the nerve looked ok but he thinks that I may have to have root canal... he needs to strip back the tooth and take a closer look... if he needs to do root canal is will be circa €700!! I've had no pain since but am conscious that it will flare up at any time & I travel again soon.

Should it not be clear from an x ray whether root canal is needed or not?I'm ok with my dentist stripping back the tooth but It's just that if I need root canal and then down the line a crown I'd prob have to go up north - where it's a bit cheaper.....but from what my guy is saying he won't know that till he gets in there.

I've had a bad experience with dentists in the past and am reluctant to go somewhere new...so I'm wondering as asked above.. can you not just tell from an x ray whether you need it or not?

georgieporgy

an xray is just a guide for the dentist to help him diagnose the problem. the xray sometimes proves you need root canal but not always.the dentist is taking a conservative approach by making sure you actually need rootcanal before going ahead and doing it.

Moany Michael

I only went back to my dentist yesterday. 3 months late I know.
I was experiencing some pain. Figured I'd an infection so made the appointment. I had been taking Clonamx for 5 days before my appointment. A prescription he had given me before, just in case it flared. The dentist went straight for the root canal. I told him I was worried about the procedure with the infection still there and asked if it should be cleared first. He said no and didn't take a new x ray. He did the procedure based on old x ray and took a few x rays near the end which I expect is normal procedure. He said when all was done that the jaw is still infected. So I need to take the anti biotic for a few more days. He said that I would experience puffiness in the jaw from time to time...something I hadn't been told about in advance.

My questions are these? I'm worried that the infection should have been gone before he did the work and that now it won't clear?. My jaw is still pretty sore and swollen & I'm worried I'll have a puffy jaw for life?
Am I worrying unecessarily? I'm still taking the Clonanax so I wonder if this is strong enough.

I'd just like a professional opinion on above?

Big_G

Infections in a tooth are unlike infections in the rest of the body. The only way to successfully treat them is either to remove the tooth or to remove the infected nerve tissue (root canal treatment). The infection does not have to be gone before this, in fact the American Academy of Endodontology recommends that antibiotics not be given before root canal treatment, if it can be avoided.

So don't worry, if the root canal treatment is successful, you should have no further issues. Transient jaw swelling maybe for a day or two. If it blows up that can be something else called a phoenix abcess which does require antibiotic treatment but that is rare.

Remeber that to ensure the long term success of root canal treatment if it is a back tooth, you will need a crown.