L
lemonyellowkitten
Junior member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2024
- Messages
- 7
- Location
- Canada
Thank you so much in advance for reading. Due to anxiety and compounding shame I avoided the dentist for 8 years - but I have recently pushed through and am working towards some solutions to my oral health problems.
My main concern at the moment is with my top left second molar.
A few months ago I experienced a few episodes of brief throbbing pain in that tooth and general area, as well as mild pressure in my sinus on the left side, plus what I can only describe as "sensations" in that general area, not pain, but just tingling/pressure/numbness.
The above symptoms are what prompted me to seek help. I have now seen two dentists regarding this tooth.
The first dentist did bitewings and a panoramic x-ray. Their opinion: due to the decay extending below the gumline/bone it was likely a root canal would end up failing soon and they recommend extraction.
The second dentist did a CBCT scan. Their opinion: they would consider a root canal, build up and crown to extend the life of the tooth or I could just extract (along with my 4 wisdom teeth, which need to come out).
The CBCT scan done by the second dentist also revealed that I have an infection in that top left second molar that has spread into my sinus cavity. I asked the second dentist how long I can wait to decide and get treatment and they said within the next 3 months. I asked if I should be taking antibiotics because of the infection and they said no.
It has now been two weeks since the last appointment where I found out about the infection and I am finding it so hard to come to a decision. Saving the tooth if possible (via root canal) seems to be the dominant position based on what I have read online, but I am concerned about the root canal and crown failing, having another infection, and causing further damage to my bone and sinus - and ultimately just needing to be extracted anyway.
My inability to make a decision is compounded by hearing different options from the two dentists that I saw.
At the moment I am leaning towards extraction (at the same time as my wisdom teeth) and potentially doing an implant in the future.
Would it be a mistake to not try and save the tooth via root canal, buildup and crown? Or is the tooth too far gone? I have included a few images.
I have a few follow up questions to ask the dentist before my final decision, but in the meantime I am experiencing a lot of anxiety about the infection getting worse and becoming crazy painful. The second dentist told me that I probably won’t feel a lot of pain because the infection is draining into my sinus - does that sound correct? I feel sensations and pressure (but not pain) in the area around my tooth and face on and off every day - will I most likely be OK while I wait for treatment?




My main concern at the moment is with my top left second molar.
A few months ago I experienced a few episodes of brief throbbing pain in that tooth and general area, as well as mild pressure in my sinus on the left side, plus what I can only describe as "sensations" in that general area, not pain, but just tingling/pressure/numbness.
The above symptoms are what prompted me to seek help. I have now seen two dentists regarding this tooth.
The first dentist did bitewings and a panoramic x-ray. Their opinion: due to the decay extending below the gumline/bone it was likely a root canal would end up failing soon and they recommend extraction.
The second dentist did a CBCT scan. Their opinion: they would consider a root canal, build up and crown to extend the life of the tooth or I could just extract (along with my 4 wisdom teeth, which need to come out).
The CBCT scan done by the second dentist also revealed that I have an infection in that top left second molar that has spread into my sinus cavity. I asked the second dentist how long I can wait to decide and get treatment and they said within the next 3 months. I asked if I should be taking antibiotics because of the infection and they said no.
It has now been two weeks since the last appointment where I found out about the infection and I am finding it so hard to come to a decision. Saving the tooth if possible (via root canal) seems to be the dominant position based on what I have read online, but I am concerned about the root canal and crown failing, having another infection, and causing further damage to my bone and sinus - and ultimately just needing to be extracted anyway.
My inability to make a decision is compounded by hearing different options from the two dentists that I saw.
At the moment I am leaning towards extraction (at the same time as my wisdom teeth) and potentially doing an implant in the future.
Would it be a mistake to not try and save the tooth via root canal, buildup and crown? Or is the tooth too far gone? I have included a few images.
I have a few follow up questions to ask the dentist before my final decision, but in the meantime I am experiencing a lot of anxiety about the infection getting worse and becoming crazy painful. The second dentist told me that I probably won’t feel a lot of pain because the infection is draining into my sinus - does that sound correct? I feel sensations and pressure (but not pain) in the area around my tooth and face on and off every day - will I most likely be OK while I wait for treatment?



