Apicoectomy no one can decide!!!

[budyjen]

I have an ongoing problem with an abcess under a crown which flares up occasionally and is getting bigger (xrays show) This has been going on for over 10 years! I had an apicoectomy then and it didnt work, so have been on a merry go round of dentists and hospitals since then. If you read my last posts you will see what has been going on. The latest is in September I was ready to have this gum surgery under general, then at the last minute the dentist decided it wouldnt work, so it was back to the dentist who was mad that they didnt do it. Since then I have moved to a different area. More dentists who have referred me to hospital AGAIN, just been and they agree to give it a go, but not under general, I have to go through this with a local which is hell. I would truly rather go through childbirth! The hospital said they cant reach the pocket of bacteria surrounding the crown but will try to clean the abcess at least. Im totally dreading the needles going into the infection as last time I nearly hit the roof. Im not waiting for the op, six to eight weeks. I know I will eventually lose the tooth but im trying everything to hang on to it. I would appreciate anyone who has had this surgery themselves with crowned teeth and how did they get through the injections? The last time I had this done I was younger and could take more pain, but now at almmost 60, my pain threshold is not what it was. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Deck2015]

Hi Budyjen -

I had an apico on a tooth that was crowned with just local and had no trouble. Do you have trouble getting sufficiently numb? If you're not numb, they need to give you different or more anesthesia! The actual procedure itself shouldn't be painful at all - you may feel pressure and vibration or tugging but no pain. Recovery might be tender but not painful (again!)...

I can tell you that some people have long term success with Apico after RCT fails. Some of us don't -- if this abscess had been brewing on and off for ten years, I'm curious why you're throwing good money after bad if you know you'll eventually lose it?

 

[gentledental]

You can possibly ask to have the treatment performed under IV sedation and you would only remember 1 injection to your arm. You will still need injections to your mouth, however you will be sedated so that will give you a deeply relaxed feeling.

With regards to your root canal treatment, has your dentist attempted to redo the root canal first??
Apicetomies can be very successful these days due to the introduction of microscopes and also newer biocompatible cements. Unfortunately I'm not sure these are available in an NHS hospital (certainly wasn't when I did my training!).

 

[budyjen]

Thanks for replies. This particular hospital wont give me a general, they only do local anasthetics. ive had this before and know what its like. Im trying to hang on to this crown as I dread false teeth, besides this crown was done with all the others and matches perfectly. I dont want a obvious mismatched tooth at the front. So I will give it one last try before I have to go down that route. What is a mystery to me is that so many dentists and hospitals ive been going to about this have all had different opinions, will work, wont, will clean the abcess area at least, cant get the pocket of bacteria, it goes on. I had this done 10 years ago and it has been flaring up for the last two, in which I have had all these opinions. I only wish I had insisted they carry it out when I was at my old address and all ready to go under, there was a new surgeon that day who said dont bother., then my old dentist was annoyed that they didnt do it, and wrote letters to the hospital. Its been a complete farce. I am going to go through with this now for the last time, and if it fails, then I will have to see about an implant. But its these needles I fear after the last experience. Read my posts!

 

[budyjen]

ps they have not attempted to re do the root canal as the post is too short and wasnt done properly the first time or something. Ive seen the xrays so know what they mean

 

[gentledental]

A root canal retreatment should always be attempted first before an apicectomy. The success rate is higher for a rerct compared to apicectomy so I don't know why the option of rerct has been bypassed unless there is the possible problem of removing the crown or post.

Also how did you manage to have the root canal or crown performed if you have a needle phobia?

 

[budyjen]

I have never had needle phobia until last August when I went to have this apiecectomy and if you read my posts you will see the trauma they put me through. I have never been afraid of the dentist in my life before this, and have had numerous bridge work, crowns, etc from the age of 17. The reason they cant do a re root is that the post is so short they will definitely break it to get the crown off. So im trying this one last time before i have no choice but to go for implant or something else. The elderly lady dentist who I saw on NHS last august is well known for her really brutal dentistry, she just shoved a needle straight into my abcess without even preparing me. It was the worst pain i have ever known. I never went through with it, and since then I have had a fear of needles. she doesnt practice anymore I have since heard.

 

[gentledental]

Oh dear! Sorry to hear about that! Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

 

[budyjen]

Thanks. I have just been back to the dentist to discuss pain relief for this gum surgery and they said go to the doctors and see what they can do to help. Thats what I will do and let you know how it all goes after the surgery which im waiting on now.. He yet again said that its right to give this op another try before I go for an implant.