I got #30 prepared for a crown the other day. The dentist wanted to
refer me to an endodontist, he said, as a preventative measure because
he drilled VERY close to the pulp, he said, but not so close as to
REQUIRE a root canal; he just felt I should probably get it before
putting on the crown.

Then, when I paid up at the deak, he reversed his decision and said I
didn't need the root canal unless it started hurting.

Well, there is SOME pain and I can't tell if this is normal pain from
the drilling or if this is pain meaning I need a root canal. Maybe you
can help me figure it out?

I didn't feel any real pain except post drilling soreness the first
evening. Nor the next day.

Then, last night, after I ate a protein bar, I began feeling some
pain, a dull achey pain, not exactly like a toothache but something
like that. Then, it did not hurt today.

Then, tonight, I was hungry at work again, so ate a protein bar again.
Tried not to chew on that temp. crown, but I'm sure I did somewhat, as
I have few teeth to chew with (no meeting molars, really) until I get
my implants.

Sure enough it started to hurt again.

So, does this mean I probably need a root canal, or does it just mean
I shouldn't chew protein bars on my temp. crown?

I am leaning towards getting the root canal, now, before the crown.
But then, my wife had bad experiences with root canals, so I am very
wary of getting them. This would be with a different endodontist, one
who went to USC, so that gives me some hope they might be done
right...

Any comments? I know you can't tell for sure without looking at xrays
but just anecdotal ballpark guesses are welcome if you care to guess.

Spontaneous pain is pretty suggestive, esp. if it is getting more
pronounced rather than less. It's tougher to evaluate sensitivity to
sweets, which can be a normal reaction esp. if the temporary crown
doesn't seal very well.
I'd like to know if there is temperature sensitivity, and esp. if it is
momentary or prolonged.

Steve

I'm sorry, but I don't feel able to give any meaningful advice
based only on internet descriptions (not that you've done a bad job).
Seeing the tooth IRL (before & after the prep) would sure help.

Since I can't do that, "I don't know" will have to do. It may
be fine or it may need endo.

Best wishes,
Dartos

JimSocal wrote:

My prediction is that you will have RCT done.
--
"""""
Philip Atooth {Tooth mechanic extraordinaire}
""""

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 20:38:21 GMT, Mark & Steven Bornfeld <[email protected]> wrote:

I recommend an evaluation by an endodontist.
--

W_B
Take out the G'RBAGE
[email protected]

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 16:48:49 GMT, "Philip Atooth"
<[email protected]> wrote:

Why do you say that?

Yes, I am leaning towards it because from my limited experience it
feels like I might need one. But really I am not particularly wanting
to get it done. In fact I hate getting them done, both for reasons of
painful dentistry and for reasons of complications afterward.

Do you have an opinion? Or can you enlighten me as to when one knows
whether to get one or not? (aside from waking up screaming in pain in
the middle of the night!)

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 08:14:35 -0600, Dartos <[email protected]>
wrote:

Let me ask you this:
How risky is it getting a root canal that one does not need, in
general? In other words, we know the dentist said he drilled close to
the pulp and he thought it might be a good idea to get the root canal
preventatively.

Let's say the current pain means nothing and I would never need a root
canal, but I make a judgement call and get one anyway. What is the
downside? How likely is the "preventative" root canal itself, to cause
me a problem down the road?

In article <[email protected]>,
JimSocal <[email protected]> wrote:

Out of personal curiosity, ... what worries you the most about having
this treatment done on the tooth at some point in advance of "waking
up..."?

Webby

p.s. Another clue: The tooth once again does not hurt this morning.
Both time it has hurt, it was only after eating a protein bar, then it
goes away at night, after ibuprofen and - so far - does not hurt again
unless I eat a protein bar. (Right. I won't eat any more protein bars
today!) I drank hot tea with sugar, no problem. So it's very hard to
tell WHY it hurts. Is it the pressure of chewing on a protein bar, or
is it the sweet chocolate coating, or ?

JimSocal wrote:

Doesn't sound too good to me.

Sorry,
Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
https://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 13:58:05 GMT, Steven Bornfeld
<[email protected]> wrote:


It seems to be either just sweets, or just pressure on the tooth from
chewing. I assume the former but could be just pressure? (although
when I push on it with my finger it does not hurt, but maybe
chewing??) Drinking hot tea (not piping hot, but hot) does not affect
it.

The pain is prolonged. It kept hurting more and more (though never
what I would call severe, just enough to make me very uncomfortable),
and I took 4 ibuprofens and it went away. (I'm a sissy when it comes
to pain, I just go for the maximum dose of ibuprofen in a case like
this.)

If it hurts for more than 20 seconds, I would ask you to plan on the RCT. I
could be wrong, but you need to be prepared.

--
/

Amatus

/
"Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...

There is no way to give you real meaningful advice over the internet, but my
gut feeling is that the tooth is going downhill. Teeth with RCT are more
complex than a tooth without RCT. There is one more thing which could go
wrong in the future. Although, one might argue that it is one less tooth
which can cause pain later.

--
/

Amatus

/
"JimSocal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Thanks again to all for replying. I realize it is impossible to give
solid advice via the net, but sometimes just a discussion of it can
help point me in the right direction.

Beng that the original dentist told me before the crown that he had a
feeling it might require RCT and that he - at first, anyway -
recommended it after he drilled the tooth, I am leaning towards having
the endo look at it and make a decision. Only problem is that I am
going on vacation for 6 days starting Sunday and so we'll see if I can
get into see him this week.

Perhaps a dumb question, but will the endo re-install the temp crown or
will I have to go back to the dentist who's doing the crown, in a
seperate appt. - to get the temp crown re-done?

I'll let you know how it comes out. (NO PUN intended!)

In article <[email protected] .com>,
"Jim" <[email protected]> wrote:

I wondered what was worrying you so much and maybe your upcoming
vacation was "in the way"... or your tooth was in the way of it!!
Anyway, I do hope you get this worked out to a point that will allow you
reasonable peace of mind while away from home.

Stay in touch and I hope you enjoy your getaway.

Webby