Possible Extraction - First one ever and TERRIFIED

[amicx92]

I posted in another thread about having to get a root canal retreat -- well, it's looking like that tooth is coming out! After getting it drained last Tuesday and going on a round of antibiotics, I developed a little hard bump on the tooth. I called the endodontist (who was incredibly sweet and honest) about my fears. He said that he won't know for sure if he can actually treat the tooth until he opens it up and gets in there. After being told by another dentist to get it pulled, I'm not hopeful. So I called my old dentist who did the original root canal 11 years ago and I'm going in for a consultation tomorrow. Sounded like they think it also needs to come out, and the oral surgeon will be in Friday. I'm not 100% sure right now of anything, but I do know I'm really scared of the extraction.

I think the best option is to probably get it taken out. This has been an ongoing thing for the past month now of spending hundreds of dollars at dentists and specialists and constant pain. My mental health has taken a HUGE hit, and I'm ready for it to be over! I feel calm at the moment in that decision knowing that I'll never have to be worried about my root canal retreatment failing and that hopefully I'll be on the mend this weekend! If I have to get it done, I'll be awake because I actually have a fear of being put to sleep, but I'll possibly be using the gas or oral sedation. I've never had a tooth pulled (save for my wisdom teeth and I don't count those since I was knocked out). So any tips or stories to ease my fears? How long/horrible was recovery? If I get it done Friday, will I be good to go to work Monday, etc? Anything will be helpful as I'm a wreck right now. ?

 

[MountainMama]

I had my first extraction (as an adult), last year. I had baby teeth, and my premolars extracted as a kid, along with wisdom teeth.
I also had months of pain, after spending money on a root canal and an apicoectomy. I really did not want to lose the molar. Honestly, though, it was so much better once it was out. The extraction itself was so much easier than I remembered from childhood, and I also had nitrous and LA.
The recovery for me was easier than the one from the root canal. It was sore for several days, but nothing that over the counter pain meds wouldn't take care of. I had soreness and twinges here or there for several weeks, but nothing that would have prevented me from going to work after a day to recover. It was actually a relief to be free of the pain from the tooth, so the extraction recovery was not bad at all compared to the daily pain from the failed root canal.

 

[patient]

How can you have pain from a failed root canal because when they do root canal they take out the nerve so if there is no nerve in the tooth it should not hurt

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Amicx92,

First of all, sorry you are going through all this with the retreat and possible extraction and all . I'm really glad your endo was really nice about things.. He sounds great and honest. Its so hard to make these calls and so individualized .. on the calls we make to save them or not. It really sounds like you are doing all you can to get your peace and best information..

Early this year I had a retreat situation, well. my dentist was going to do what looked like a pretty straightforward retreat. well. he saw something on the xray just a glimpse of an extra canal.. so did a ct scan which verified it. The dentist that did that root canal years ago missed a canal and it had calcified and become so hard he couldn't get through it. Well, I didn't have alot of tooth to build on anyways it was in rough shape so he gave me an option. I could try an endo to do retreat and possible apico. which would cost me plenty, and then my dentist said to try to make a pretty compromised crown,, or I could pull it and put a bone graft and implant and when all is said and done it really would end up being similar in cost . I personally chose the extraction and implant route because I knew it was through him and he was very honest with me. I was at peace with it.

The extraction wasn't bad at all, and I was back to work the next day, got it done on a Tuesday went back Wednesday. I work as a patient care rep, talking on phone all day.

It sounds like you are using alot of wisdom and have a good gut.

 

[amicx92]

Thank you guys so much! It helps to hear experiences.

I just got back from my dentist, and I’ll be getting it pulled Thursday morning! The teeth on each side need crowns, so I’ll be getting a bridge and fitted for that during my appointment. I’ll be doing nitrous. I’m going to my original dentist who said he thought I was doing the right thing. He also didn’t push me for an implant, which I appreciated. Not going to lie, I’m still really nervous, but I’m glad I’ll be over soon.

 

[MountainMama]

How can you have pain from a failed root canal because when they do root canal they take out the nerve so if there is no nerve in the tooth it should not hurt

The pain either comes from the gums under and around the tooth, or if there is a missed canal, in the tooth. I have had two failed root canals, which were both very painful.

 

[patient]

wow that has never happened to me. Have you changed dentists since?

 

[amicx92]

@patient it’s my understanding that it can just happen! Everyone has told me that my root canal looks perfect (and I’ve been to many dentists and specialists over the last month). They said they aren’t sure why it failed but it did. I’m betting since I grind and clench with my TMJ issues, I’ve cracked it and it’s not showing up on X-ray.

I go in today at 11 my time, which is about 5 hours. Prayers, good vibes, thoughts, long-distance hugs, etc. would be much appreciated as I am a wreck! I cried a lot yesterday. I know it’s silly, but since this is my first tooth extraction, I feel like I’ve done something wrong. I know it’s because it’s just new to me.

Also does anyone have any positive experiences with bridges? I know implants are preferred, but the price and procedure just wasn’t sitting right with me now. I think it’s something I will think about in the future, but as the other ones are in desperate needs of crowns as well, I felt this was a good solution. They seemed to agree with me, but I’ve unfortunately turned to Google and am worried about the choice now, even though my dentist and his assistant assured me they do successful bridges all the time. My aunt told me she’s had hers 25 years, so fingers crossed this makes me up my oral hygiene routine and I’ll be lucky like her.

 

[MountainMama]

@patient it’s my understanding that it can just happen! Everyone has told me that my root canal looks perfect (and I’ve been to many dentists and specialists over the last month). They said they aren’t sure why it failed but it did. I’m betting since I grind and clench with my TMJ issues, I’ve cracked it and it’s not showing up on X-ray.

I go in today at 11 my time, which is about 5 hours. Prayers, good vibes, thoughts, long-distance hugs, etc. would be much appreciated as I am a wreck! I cried a lot yesterday. I know it’s silly, but since this is my first tooth extraction, I feel like I’ve done something wrong. I know it’s because it’s just new to me.

Also does anyone have any positive experiences with bridges? I know implants are preferred, but the price and procedure just wasn’t sitting right with me now. I think it’s something I will think about in the future, but as the other ones are in desperate needs of crowns as well, I felt this was a good solution. They seemed to agree with me, but I’ve unfortunately turned to Google and am worried about the choice now, even though my dentist and his assistant assured me they do successful bridges all the time. My aunt told me she’s had hers 25 years, so fingers crossed this makes me up my oral hygiene routine and I’ll be lucky like her.

I haven't had a bridge, but one of my friends has had one since she was in her teens. Her premolar never came in ( missing it), so she had a bridge put in as a replacement. She is now in her late 40's and has only had to replace it once, when she had to have the crown on the tooth it was attached to redone. She hasn't ever had issues with eating or anything else.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Amicx92,

Sending you all positive thoughts and wishes. Know we will be with you in spirit as you are there! Its always scary doing something new. especially in the dental chair. You are brave and wise. I think personally a bridge is a great choice! You are doing what you can , and I bet you come out thinking the extraction was easier than you thought . Wishing you well. Let us know how it goes!

 

[amicx92]

Thank y’all so much! The anxiety is minimum right now, so hopefully it’ll stay. I think a lot of my anxiety is coming from I’ve been at the point where I’ve thought it was over every time I went to a dentist/specialist this past month, so I’m just thinking that the fact it’ll be all over in a few hours is too good to be true.

Good to hear people have had success with bridges! I really trust my dentist and when he suggested an implant and I said no, he was quick to say it was no problem and he does bridges all the time. The internet is a good source if you want to be convinced the choice you’ve personally made for yourself and your situation is wrong!

 

[amicx92]

I’m all done! It wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t horrible. The amount of infection I had made it hard to get numb, but the drilling for the crown prep was actually worse than the extraction! My dentist said I made the right choice because my infection was so bad, he thinks the root canal retreat would have failed. I’m a little sore, but the abscess draining hurt a lot worse. They put the temp in and you can’t even tell I lost a tooth. Thanks for all the support!!

 

[Aurora10]

How can you have pain from a failed root canal because when they do root canal they take out the nerve so if there is no nerve in the tooth it should not hurt

I've had a failed root canal and it was extremely painful. I had to have antibiotics and have the whole thing done again, and I know what you're saying that it doesn't make sense when the tooth is dead but they do fail in some cases unfortunately. ?

 

[krlovesherkids777]

patient said:
How can you have pain from a failed root canal because when they do root canal they take out the nerve so if there is no nerve in the tooth it should not hurt


I second Aurora. have had the same thing.. failed root canal , extreme pain.. they missed a canal the first time and it was calcified

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Amicx92,

So glad you are done and you got your temp. Hope you are healing well now and can rest a bit! Sorry the anesthetics didn't work as well I have had too where it was harder to numb with infection.

 

[amicx92]

The extraction healing is going great! But now the other side of my mouth decided to start hurting. I can't tell if it's coming from a crowned tooth (without root canal) or the teeth below it. I'm hoping it's my TMJ -- but I'm fearing the worst, aka more root canals. Give me all warm thoughts, good vibes, prayers, hugs, etc. This is my 7th constant week of mouth pain. I'm hoping after I go to the dentist tomorrow afternoon and we figure out what's going on, this will be the last of it.

 

[Spider]

how did the dentist go? I hope your pain is from TMJ and the teeth are all okay. Thats such a long time to have mouth pain- you deserve a nice long break from anything dental. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[amicx92]

I go in a few hours (about six, so I have to wait!!) I’m feeling a little better, so I thought about canceling. But if there’s something going on, I’d rather get it taken care of than deal with infection and swelling again.

Thanks so much!! I’m definitely looking forward to a nice rest after all this is over. It’s been EXHAUSTING. Mouth pain is the worst.

 

[Spider]

Great news its feeling a bit better! I'd want to have them check just incase too to ease any worries. Hope it goes well, let us know what they say!

 

[amicx92]

I forgot to update -- but it turns out it was just my TMJ! My dentist didn't even have to take an x-ray. Apparently I was biting down on that crown on the opposite side still. He adjusted my bite a bit, gave me some muscle relaxers, and told me he'd see me in a few weeks to put my permanent bridge on. He said it should feel better once the temp is out, so here's hoping.