Extraction then cavity - afraid

bladespin

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to ask, if not mods please move.


About 4 years ago I broke a tooth (molar), I went to the dentist and she filled/patched together what was left - done a great job IMO.

Last year the tooth broke (inside quarter fell out), of course I did nothing as it seemed fine etc, etc (yes I know).

Just before Christmas the I started having pain, so I went to a new Dentist (my old dr had retired) he looked at the tooth and said he wasn't sure he could save it (I thought as much TBH), he also mentioned a cavity in the tooth beside it.
Last week I went in and as expected the broken tooth wasn't savable and was removed (quite painfully I must add - I really wasn't expecting it to hurt so much), it was very securely seated and eventually had to be drilled out - I didn't think a bad tooth would be so strong.
Dentist also told me he was unsure about the tooth with the cavity, whether it was savable or not.
I'm due to go back to have the cavity looked at and I'm afraid, the tooth causes me no pain at all, never has done, I'm concerned he will say it's unsavable too and will need to come out leaving me with a big gap and another round of pain.
I have a few questions:
Should I have it looked at and take the chance, removal etc?

Is it possible for the Dentist to just fill the cavity regardless? ie. leave the tooth to do it's thing basically putting it off I know.

Should I just leave it until I do have a pain? As said it's never bothered me.

(sorry if it's longwinded)

Oral Surgeon

bladespin wrote: »

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to ask, if not mods please move.


About 4 years ago I broke a tooth (molar), I went to the dentist and she filled/patched together what was left - done a great job IMO.

Last year the tooth broke (inside quarter fell out), of course I did nothing as it seemed fine etc, etc (yes I know).

Just before Christmas the I started having pain, so I went to a new Dentist (my old dr had retired) he looked at the tooth and said he wasn't sure he could save it (I thought as much TBH), he also mentioned a cavity in the tooth beside it.
Last week I went in and as expected the broken tooth wasn't savable and was removed (quite painfully I must add - I really wasn't expecting it to hurt so much), it was very securely seated and eventually had to be drilled out - I didn't think a bad tooth would be so strong.
Dentist also told me he was unsure about the tooth with the cavity, whether it was savable or not.
I'm due to go back to have the cavity looked at and I'm afraid, the tooth causes me no pain at all, never has done, I'm concerned he will say it's unsavable too and will need to come out leaving me with a big gap and another round of pain.
I have a few questions:
Should I have it looked at and take the chance, removal etc?

Is it possible for the Dentist to just fill the cavity regardless? ie. leave the tooth to do it's thing basically putting it off I know.

Should I just leave it until I do have a pain? As said it's never bothered me.

(sorry if it's longwinded)

You are a symptomatic attender... symptomatic attenders always get the extraction as they have left the problem fester on and on until extraction is the only option...
This tooth may be salvageable at this point, maybe not, but don't leave it months as it will almost certainly be for the bin then....

bladespin

I totally agree, I know exactly what type of patient I am, I just would like to know if the tooth is deemed not to be salvageable is it possible just to fill it or does it have to be removed, after all it's not causing a problem so would hate to loose another tooth for no good reason.

Oral Surgeon

bladespin wrote: »

I totally agree, I know exactly what type of patient I am, I just would like to know if the tooth is deemed not to be salvageable is it possible just to fill it or does it have to be removed, after all it's not causing a problem so would hate to loose another tooth for no good reason.

But if it is deemed to be not salvageable, then temporarily filling it is just sealing infection in and leaving a ticking timebomb in your mouth. It is likely to cause pain and infection then at any time.
If it cant be fixed, get it out....