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should I have re-treatment or leave the tooth as its painless?

S

Suzie

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2012
Messages
51
I've been told I need a re root canal treatment. The tooth isn't painful but it has an abscess. I have also been told that it is a very complex procedure that will take a long time to do. thing is my jaw aches if I have my mouth open for too long, dentists generally have difficulty getting the local injection to work and then it wears off quickly.

If there's no pain wouldn't it be better just to leave well alone.
Please don't suggest sedation, its an absolute no no for me.
 
Hi Suzie,
im in the same boat except tooth has hurt since June with the exception of a few days this week and last. I don't want to make it worse...but hear the abscess will play peek-a-boo ttill the problem inside the tooth is actually fixed. I don't know....I'm hoping your answers will help
me decide too!
Mugz
 
Hi Suzie :welcome: to the forum.

I have had a re-treatment and also problems with my jaw. They can let you rest your jaw if you need it while they are doing the re-do.

It isn't hard for us but it is very complex for them, we just lay there bored, no pain or discomfort at all. It might not hurt now but it will in time, best get it before it gets you :ROFLMAO:

Good luck :clover::clover::clover: :butterfly:
 
Hi Suzie,
For what it is worth...I called my dentist and endodontist offices separately today and both said there is no other way to deal with the tooth than extraction or re root canal. They said even if it was feeling better the tooth could be getting worse and be harder to save. Scare tactics? Maybe....but I am keeping my appointment. Very reluctantly.

Good luck to you. Listen to Carole...she's been there and gives good advice!
 
Hi Suzie,

Abscesses can be very scary. I had an abscess that took some of my jaw bone and a lot of my gum line, and infected a tooth next to it. I was told that if it wouldn't have been treated immediately the infection could have gone to my brain. It didn't hurt even an ounce but did a ton of damage! They actually were able to save my tooth which I was grateful. Implants just wouldn't have worked for me. I would definitely get it treated. Good luck. I truly mean it when I wish the best to you!
 
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Thank you all for your replies. I'm more worried about the local anesthetic not working or the dentist getting annoyed if I start to squirm. I think specialist dentists hopefully will help put my worries at rest. my dentist has recommended a few in my area that he is happy to refer to. He suggests I just call and ask to speak to the specialist before making the appointment and if I feel comfortable then to go and have a face to face chat before committing to any treatment.

Just a little scared to take the leap, but thank you all. :)
 
I've had 3 RCT's. The first 2 were on my bottom second molars. I was terrified of not being numb because, prior to the RCT's nobody (even my dentist who I totally trust) had bee able to get those teeth totally numb. When I went I see the endodontist, he told me that they have 'special tricks' to get teeth numb and he was totally right! At one point I did start to feel a little something and he was able to give more anesthetic right away and I felt nothing after that.

If done correctly, you shouldn't feel anything!

Best of luck to you.
 
Hi Suzie,

Hope you are doing well and not in too much discomfort yet while deciding what to do with the abscess and re-root canal. I just wanted to pop in with some info having just done a retreatment. First of all, I went in BECAUSE of the abscess. I had the root canal redone and guess what.....still have the abscess. SO I'd ask your doc about whether it should be gone right away or if they will drain it or what their protocol is. I am surprised and unhappy that I still have it as mine hurts.

As for the pain relief during. Didn't feel a thing other than vibration and lots of it. I have an active infection and I too have a hard time staying numb, especially when I am scared, but never felt any pain during the procedure.

With regard to worrying about the dentist getting annoyed if you squirm. I don't know...I'm pretty sure they ALL would prefer a patient that can relax and lay still but, as someone here shared with me, if that is really what they wanted they should be morticians! I could not lay still. Squirm is an understatement. Last week they actually had another assistant come in just to hold my legs and arms. I had opted for sedation but wasn't the least bit sleepy and freaked every time the drill got close to my mouth. When they realized it really was beyond me they just dealt with it, as did he. He wasn't rude or nasty or short with me...didn't comment except to say "hold still, don't move, it is just noise, or you'll hear it for a few seconds try to stay still, especially for this part...." that kind of thing. He may have had plenty to say when I left, but he was very professional while I was there. I think they have to know how hard it is for some people...and try to help any way they can when they see a 45 yr old reduced to a puddle in the chair.

Good luck to you. Please let us know what you decide to do.
 
Mugz, you are very brave. The thing is i'm totally confused with what to do with the tooth. ive been given the option to monitor, it seems to me that retreatment is something i could do but it doesn't really matter if I don't. I was seen by a specialist. specialists know all sorts of stuff, but because there is an abscess i feel it is wrong to leave it.

The tooth does get uncomfortable sometimes but not enough to do anything about.

thank you for your support :)
 
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