Hi Guys,
As the both of you know I have a tooth that had a root canal done 9 years ago and is now dead. My dentist took all kinds of x-rays and told me that I only need to have the tooth crowned. I have been avoiding eating on that side to prevent the tooth from breaking or spliting. I won't be able to have the tooth crowned for at least a few weeks. The tooth has turned grey as the dentist knew this when he said I would only need it crowned. Sometimes the tooth bothers me. I don't mean a sharp pain, but like a dull achy feeling. Do you think that if I am chewing on one side this will keep my tooth in tact until I can get the crown?
I also have to get 8 cavaties filled in 3 different visits. My first appointment is this upcomming Friday. Some of these teeth are bothering me more now then they were 3 days ago. Is it possible that these teeth can decay so quick that I will end up needing a root canal by Friday. I haven't noticed any holes or anything like that?
My last question (for now) is, my dentist told me that he will only do one side of my mouth at a time. I have 3 on one side, 3 on the other, and 2 in the front....he told me that they don't like to numb the whole mouth. Why? If I were to find that 2 of my teeth that were the worst were 1 on each side that I wanted to have done...they won't do it?
Well I guess that is all for now. I know I am a pain, but I am so self concious of all this now and it is all I can think about for the past 3 weeks, it's making me crazy!!! Thanks again!

Sandy

Another bored dentist here, I'll try to help you out http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

#1. Most posterior root canalled teeth get crowned (you didn't mention which tooth but I assume its one of the 'back' ones). What kind of restoration did you have for the last 9 years? The dull achy pain slightly bothers me as the root canal may be failing and may need to be redone. You should tell your dentist about it before he crowns it. Chewing on one side may help but if its so weak that normal chewing breaks it odds are it will break when he is preparing the crown for you.

#2. Teeth decay very slowly but when they start to hurt, they start. Its also possible that since you know you are getting them done you might be 'more aware', I did this myself recently when I needed a restoration redone.

#3. Basically the reason is multifaceted. One is that if your mouth is totally numb you might not know you are chewing on your tongue, lip, cheek etc. This is more a problem with children then adults but it can be very annoying. Another is time, everyone has their limit their jaw can be held wide open, and by making it in multi appointments that helps insure you don't reach your limit (hopefully).


Hope this helps

Thank you for your response. I'm not sure of the number of the tooth that had the root canal, but it is the third tooth over from the front top left. I had the root canal 9 years ago and that is how long it has been since I seen a dentist. I have just had a scaling and deep cleaning done and the tooth is still in tact. Flossing and brushing hasn't made it worse. I think that most of the aching I feel may be in my head only because I have been so obsessed with it since I found out about it a few weeks ago. The last time I seen my dentist was 1 week ago for the cleaning...I talked to him again today about my cavaties and set up all appointments to have them done. He told me they are all medium sized except for the two in the front. I also asked about novacain because I heard that they don't like to give novacain in the front of the mouth due to the needle being more uncomfortable to get, but they said they would numb me with novacain.
I would like to think that because of the extent of damage that I let happen over the years and my being worried so much, that that is the reason for the aching I am feeling in the cavaties and the tooth that was R.Canaled. I am so glad that I was able to get to the dentist on time. My teeth really don't look bad at all for not having gone in so long. Now I am flossing after every meal and brushing 3 times a day to keep what I have.
Please respond to this posting even in regars to the canal.
Thank you for your time!!

Sandy