Unfinished, temporary filling left for 9 years...now pain

[Adras]

Hello everyone.

Back in 2004, I had pain in my lower right canine that required a root canal. The dentist put a temporary filling on it and I was supposed to come back after a few weeks (this was done in Finland, with socialized medicine etc., so there was a waiting time). Well, silly me didn't go back to get the root canal and the pain went away on its own. Fast forward to 2008: the temporary filling came out, leaving the back of the tooth with a small hole that soon became a nuisance requiring cleaning each time I ate. After having a failed root canal on another tooth I am reluctant to have one on this tooth now, but the problem is that I am now experiencing slight pain in and around that tooth. For a tooth that is supposed be "dead" I feel pain inside of the hole when I clean it.

The way I see it, there are a few options:
1) Get the root canal, provided it's still possible
2) Pull the tooth
3) Pull the tooth and replace with an implant.

The problem with 1 is that it might fail and I don't want to spend money on a gamble; the problem with 2 is that the pulling it will leave and unsightly gap when I speak smile, etc; and the problem with 3 is simply money, seeing as I don't have insurance and don't have that kind of cash to throw down.

So my question here, to anyone who can help is the following: Are there any other options besides the three above? What are the chances of putting on a temporary filling to cover the hole myself ( a possible forth solution assuming that the area is not infected)? Is there anything I'm missing here?

Thank you for you help.

Regards,

Adras

 

[lillyh]

Hello,
You could get a partial denture with one tooth...I'm not sure of the cost though...I know I wouldn't fill my own tooth

 

[carole]

to the forum.

You really need to make an appointment with a dentist, are you near a dental school which may be cheaper for you to attend, or you could maybe come to some sort of financial arrangement with a dentist. The tooth could be infected, that would cause you pain.
If you go and see a dentist and let them have a look they can assess the tooth and discuss with you the best option for the tooth and you.

I wouldn't advise you to do home dentistry. Whatever you choose to do is your choice and will be the right choice for you. I do hope you contact a dentist and get your problem sorted.

Do let us know what you decide, and how you get on

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi Adras,

It might be unpleasent to hear, but here is the bitter truth: There is always a risk that the treatment won't go well. Every treatment (dental or medical), implants included might fail. On the other hand, even the treatment fials there should be an alternative, a solution to provide you a healthy mouth.

Every dental clinic offers garantie to its work. The terms of the garantie diverse between practices and countries. Since you have explained in your thread so clearly your concenrs, I suggest you send this text as an email to the dentist directly and ask what would happen if the RCT fails.