I am really scared of my dentist.

[Lisa1973]

My dentist wants to pull my tooth out and I am freaked out.

I recently bought a WaterPik and in one specific area of my tooth I smelled something really bad when I use the WaterPik. It was in between my root canal tooth. I went to the Dentist and he did an x-ray. A 2-D x-ray. And said that my tooth has a fracture in it and says that I have an abscess. I told him that I thought that I had gotten excess water underneath the Tooth because I’ve had a root canal for 20 years. I’m just not ready for that. I heard that you can’t see a fracture on an x-ray and less it’s the size of a eating fork.
I don’t have any bumps or pimple like things only a bad taste in my mouth. I’m so scared to go back. And I was too scared to go anywhere else. What if it’s just water from the waterpic And he’s just jumping the gun wanting to pull my tooth. Please help me?

 

[geos]

Did you ask your dentist to show you where he sees those things on the x-ray?

I’m no dentist, but that tooth doesn’t seem to be in great shape to me. Maybe one of the dentist here can help you.

 

[Lisa1973]

The crack photo is where he said it was but I was told that you need a 3D X-ray to see a crack this small. The looks funny one well......to me it looks like water underneath the crown. Tastes like stale water but I have no idea was a abscess tooth tastes like. I floss and brush because I don’t like the dentist. Scared.

 

[grumpybear]

The tooth doesn't seem to be in a great shape to me too. And the crack does seems pretty serious. But I'm not a dentist. I don't know if that's trapped water, but if it is, there's a probability that the seal has also failed and bacteria can travel into the canal space.

Your dentist could be suggesting an extraction taking into consideration the state of your tooth and also how long it will last if you get more restorative work done.

 

[Enarete]

Hi Lisa,

sorry to read you got such bad news and I understand you feel the need of double check whether the information is right. I would be concerned as well if someone suddenly wanted to remove my tooth

As you mentioned, it is not possible to see a crack in a tooth on an x-ray. However, what can be seen on x-ray are areas of the tooth that are soft instead of hard. Soft areas in/on a tooth means there is decay which is caused by bacteria that somehow found a way to get in and eat the tooth substance.

Coming back to your tooth, if you look at the roots, you can see the root filling that is clearly white and the tooth around that is white too. That’s how a healthy tooth substance looks like.

Following the roots up you come to the areas that look funny. They are black instead of white, which means there is a decay. I believe (just guessing here) the only way the bacteria could get into a root canaled tooth to make it look like this is through a crack which might be why your dentist statet there was one. Bacteria also cause a bad smell. The tooth can’t feel any pain now after the root canal which is why it can seem like everything is ok. If the tooth haven’t had any treatment before you would be in a lot of pain at this point.

Having said that, trust is the most important thing when it comes to treatment. No matter how clear your x-ray is or isn’t, if you do not trust your dentist and have doubts about the suggested treatment, the best idea would be to grab the x-ray and find a dentist you feel comfortable with and trust.

All the best wishes and keep us posted

 

[Gordon]

That tooth is completely wrecked, sorry. The reason it's not painful is because the infection is draining up the side of the gum into your mouth. Your waterpik is probably helping to flush out the worst of the abscess.

Clearly you don't trust your present dentist so you should find another one, but no dentist will be able to salvage that tooth I'm afraid.

 

[Lisa1973]

So the only updates that I have is that I still have not gone to see the dentist again. I stalled by telling him that he can’t do anything until the abscess heals and I have more time to make a decision. Also. The tooth would have a slight give whenever you would push on it. I think the water made my gums separate because I have been wearing a exact mold of my mouth before this happened(form fitted bleaching trays) my teeth have been hurting a lot when I wear it but finally there is no give way when I push on the tooth. There is hardly any water that comes out any more. My bite is completely off because I have a scar on the inside of my cheek where I keep biting. That’s very painful. My friend who is a doctor but not a dentist says that the bone surrounding it looks bad. I wonder how much time do I have?

 

[MountainMama]

I wouldn't wait too long. Find another dentist you are comfortable with if you don't want to go back to that one. I had an abscess on my front tooth, and it went undetected for at least a year. I have a lot of bone loss, and have had lingering infection that has caused all sorts of problems. It affected my sinuses, my nose, and other teeth possibly. We are still waiting to see if the tooth next to it has been compromised.

 

[comfortdentist]

I agree with Gordon and the waterpik didn't cause this problem. It appears like you have a lot of caries(decay). On the positive side it also looks like a straight forward extraction for an experienced dentist.

 

[Lisa1973]

I have made an appointment with an Endodontist and we will discuss saving the tooth and Coronal leakage. Very very nervous.

 

[Lisa1973]

Update: Wasted my money and my time today. He just called the dentist and repeated everything he said even tho he used a whole can of cold compressed air on every area on and around the problem tooth. Note to self: don’t go to a specialist when you want a second opinion but go to a separate dentist and never tell them about the previous dentist. The specialist had the nerve to tell me that the carries had been there for years and I laughed and showed him the x-ray taken a year ago. This is why dentists get a bad name. I will go get a third opinion but this time I am going to act poor. I bet the word “implant” would not come up in conversation. I am using salt water twice a day and putting fluoride on at night. Fluoride will heal the cavity for the inside out. I will find someone who will listen to the patient instead of just wanting to take me to the cleaners. He looked at my tooth and saw dollar signs.

 

[letsconnect]

Getting a fifth opinion won’t really change the prognosis for this tooth . You might be better off not spending any more money on consultation fees?

 

[MountainMama]

Just a word of caution...you might spend more money trying to save the tooth when it needs to come out. The only reason I say that is because I went through that experience. I had my first tooth extraction in October last year. It was a molar that had a deep filling done under a crown. I could not fatham having it extracted and ended up going through a root canal, and an apicoectomy trying to save it. After all that, the tooth needed to be extracted.

I am not rich by any means, but was also offered the inplant option with a tooth extraction. (On a different tooth). I think that is the first route that is brought up because it is the best one, and most permanent.

Sorry to hear about your experience, though. I know how devastating it is to hear that a tooth can't be saved.

 

[comfortdentist]

Both Gordon and I previously stated that the tooth was hopeless based on the x-ray you provided. None of the opinions that were given seemed to be about money. The endodontist did rather extensive testing to make sure it wasn't a different tooth contributing to your pain. I realize you don't like what you have been told but doctors can't change the diagnosis to suit a person's desire.

 

[Gordon]

If you can find a dentist who doesn't think that tooth needs extracted, I'd check their qualifications very carefully...

 

[Lisa1973]

If you can find a dentist who doesn't think that tooth needs extracted, I'd check their qualifications very carefully...

You are right about checking qualifications because I did not check out the two that I went to see. Than you. The X-ray of the tooth has improved and in 6 months, I will take another and post. This is my last post until then. Thank you for your advice. Gladly appreciated.

 

[Lisa1973]

It is definitely deviation on another level. I bought this hydrogen peroxide and the tooth behind it is the only one that bubbles. So the conclusion is that my bite was off because of a prior dental crown and it made the spacing off in my mouth and a couple of teeth chipped and opened the tooth up for a cavity. I have the bites in my cheek. When the dentist looks in my mouth all he sees are dollar signs. I promise that I need to find another one ASAP. See the tooth next to it. This one is next. One by one he will take them all out. Just like a serial killer.

 

[Enarete]

See the tooth next to it.

The tooth next to it has also a cavity, you might already have heard this from a dentist.. really hope you can soon find a dental care professional you trust.

 

[Lisa1973]

The tooth next to it has also a cavity, you might already have heard this from a dentist.. really hope you can soon find a dental care professional you trust.

I kinda figured that but I was never told anything by my dentist about cavities. My tooth has come off. And it will be extracted on Monday. Lucky me I wish that I can pull it out myself.

 

[Enarete]

Good luck on Monday, hope your dentist will be able to put you at ease.