Hi, everyone. I'm feeling nervous right now. I am scheduled to have a molar pulled this coming Tuesday. I have made and cancelled appointments to have this tooth pulled several times now. I feel bad for doing this; but I kept hoping that some miracle would happen, and the tooth would get better. The tooth doesn't ache all the time; but every day it bothers me. When it feels better, its numb feeling. But then it gets achy also. This happens every day with this tooth. I can actually chew on the tooth; but its so often sore. I've had every procedure done to try and save it. The last procedure was done 16 months ago...so I pretty much know the tooth is a lost cause. This is the second molar from the back, on the top right side. Both teeth on each side of this tooth are crowned: so I'll have to have those crowns cut off, for a bridge to be made. How many people reading this post would tolerate a tooth that aches every day, on and off; and always feels numb in-between the achy times? I just hope I'm doing the right thing; pulling it....Debbie

Debbie, I'm sorry that it's come to this point. I wish you well and hope that the pain will finally go away.

I had my RC redone about two weeks ago. Tooth still very, very sore. I do believe that my course of action will eventually be the same as yours.

Just know that those of us on this board know what you're going through.

Let us know how it feels after it's done. Best wishes.

Thanks, Ilmom. Hey, think positive! You tooth has a good chance of getting better. What makes my case hard is that on x-ray, everything looks fine. But the tooth is crowned, so (as one dentist explained to me) only a partial part of the tooth can be seen. So who knows what the condition of the tooth is? My husband wants me to wait; see if I can get a dentist to take the crown off, and look at the tooth. I don't see what this will do: either cracks in the tooth will be seen; or nothing will be seen, and I'll still have to decide if I can tolerate living with the tooth or not. Sometimes I think I can hold off, and do this; other times the tooth aches so much...it just makes me tired, dealing with it. Right now its not bad, just numb: last night it ached for hours. Its just trying to torture me now; seeming better right before that appointment! Oh well; that's life! Good luck with your tooth...think positive. At least losing a tooth isn't life threatening; and I could stand to loose some weight, LOL! Debbie

Hi debbie

Your problem sounds very much like mine, i had a root canal done 2 years ago and for the last few months i have been getting pain from it i also get a sort of burning feeling in my gum, do you get this? (or have you had the extraction?). I too have been putting off going to the dentist i am only 32 and have already lost 2 molars. perhaps you could let me know how you went on. keep smiling.

Hi, Maz. I do get a burning sensation also; above the tooth, in my cheek,up to my eye. I used to get this sensation all lot; now, not so much. But I've been experiencing it lately, as well as very nasty pain. I've had pain in this tooth for a long time now; but now, when the pain really sets in, its so nasty/unpleasant. I definately am going to have it pulled. There's no choice for me. When it gets bad, its almost unbearable. I hope you won't have to get your tooth pulled, Maz. Isn't it a terrible "treatment" for a problem tooth? I had hoped like heck, that the tooth would improve; but it never did. At least I can say I really tried to save the tooth...and I had no choice but to pull it. I wish you all the best, Maz. I can only wish you luck; and do get the tooth examined. I also hate getting dental work so much, that when a problem toothache starts getting better, I forget about wanting/needing to see my dentist. But I do go in every 6 months for cleanings and check ups...But I hate it. I get so nervous...again, good luck to you...Debbie

Hi debbie

I just wanted to wish you well at the dentist you are a braver person than me.

Maz

Thank you, Maz; for the kind words. I will let you know how it goes, when I pull this tooth. I definately am going to pull it this time. It kind of feels like a ticking time bomb in my mouth. Its fairly calm right now; but I know that can change in a heart beat. Good luck to you too, Maz. Maybe getting your tooth redone will fix what's wrong with it; and there's a chance it could get better on it's own. That's what I hoped would happen, with my tooth. Oh well...what can we do? Just do what we can, and hope for the best. My best wishes for you, Maz...Debbie

Debbie,
Please post here afterwards and let us know how the extraction went. I have a tooth that was prepped for a crown, it hurt terribly afterwards, so I had a root canal done. It has been 4 months since the prep for the crown and 6 weeks since the root canal and it has hurt me every day for 4 months. The root canal has been opened and closed up several times. Now it is closed again but it still hurts. I don't think it will ever calm down on its own. I believe I will be getting it pulled soon. GOOD LUCK!

Hi, Michelesss. I'm sorry you're having a tooth problem also! It is possible your tooth might calm down, since the root canal was done only 6 weeks ago. The problem with your tooth is that it has been opened up several times. I might be wrong, but I think the more a tooth has been worked on (opened up), the less likely that it will get better. But I could be wrong: that's just what happened with my tooth. It might not be the case with you, though! My tooth started hurting after a deep filling was put in it. I first had a crown put on it; no luck...then I had two root canals, and it was opened up another two times...then I had an Apio...I just believe now that with each procedure done, if the tooth keeps hurting; that's a bad sign. Don't put up with the pain for as long as I did, though: months and months. Its not worth it. I now think my tooth probably cracked after that deep filling was put in it...if I had only had it pulled then, I would have spared myself all this pain/expense/trouble...oh well...yes; I'll let you know how it goes...good luck to you; Debbie

I think my new philosophy on dentistry is "cut your losses." We all put so much energy/time/money into wanting to "save" our teeth, with the encouragement of most dentists.

Sometimes getting rid of an infection is best, so it doesn't affect the rest of the teeth/body/peace of mind etc. As difficult as this sounds, I think there's some validity to it.

Hello, ah683. I agree with you. Dentists do encourage us to try and do everything we can to "save" our teeth. Since this is also what we want, we will often go to great lengths to achieve this. Me; I suffered something fierce, after each dental procedure I had done on this tooth. I think I had invested so much into this tooth, it was difficult to actually admit that I had come to the end of the road. Now that I look back on everything, I feel like a fool, really. If I would have pulled this tooth a long time ago, I probably would have saved myself so much pain. Oh well; live and learn, as they say. I agree with you when you say it isn't healthy for a person to walk around with a "bad" tooth indefinately. Its bad for the body, and the spirit. Thanks for posting...Debbie

Hi Debbie

Have you had the extraction yet?, I have an appointment for thursday but i don't know if i can face it or not as i am terrified. I don't know why it is affecting me so much but i just can't bear the thought of having it pulled. Anyway can you post us an update on your situation. Kind regards Maz

Debbie
Please stop cancelling appointments and just go and get it done. The pain that you have felt with this tooth is probably going to be worse then the pain you feel from getting it pulled. You have an infection in your tooth that is going through your body, and you need to get the source of the infection OUT. Not only are you risking your health but you are also taking a risk that the infection will go into your other teeth and you will end up losing them too. Not everyone has a horror story about extractions. I had FOUR teeth extracted and had no swelling, no bruising and very little pain. I took advil the day of the oral surgery and went back to work the next day. You need to go ASAP. You are only making it worse on your own body, while you are making and cancelling appointments, you have an INFECTION in your body, that will not go away. Sorry if this sounds cruel, but you are jeopardizing your health by having this bad tooth in your mouth.

Hi, Judy. Thanks for your frank and honest reply. I will get this tooth pulled: on the 14th. What also scares me now is that this tooth adjacent to the bad tooth also bothers me, on and off. Dentists don't know why...plus I have been to a neurologist a few times (on the advice of my last Endondtist: he told me the bad tooth looks fine; that I might have an Atypical facial disorder). So I went to this one neurologist. She ran tests on me and came up with nothing. She advised me to see this former collegue of hers: she specializes in facial pain. But I am getting so tired of looking for a miracle. I'll admit: this Neurontin medicication she put me on seems to help. I still feel the tooth, but its duller. But I don't like the idea of putting up with this tooth forever: and those pills make me sleepy. I will follow your advice, and hope I haven't damaged my health irreparably, by not pulling this tooth. I do wish I knew why this adjacent tooth hurts now...Debbie

Hi debbie, how are you?, did you have the extraction?.I missed ny appointment at the dentist but i have another one for this coming tues and i am terrified, i just keep hoping the tooth will get better by itself but now i know that it's not possible. Please let us know how you are doing.

Maz

hi to those of us who are scared of a dental visit, if we knew from the start after going through so much, root canals etc it would of been alot easier, quicker if we had just had them pulled to begin with, rather than have this fear, im a scardy too, big time http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif good luck at your visit http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Hi there! Well, the extraction went fine. It felt kind of horrendouss, going through it (a piece of advice: get a morning appointment: I think dentists are more alert then). My appointment was at 5 p.m. He numbed up the area, then started on a tooth on the other side of my mouth! But the hygenist stopped him: I would have, if she hadn't done so first. For me, pulling a tooth is difficult. And you have to be VERY careful not to spit, suck, for a few days. I had a terrible increase in saliva the first two days...so that was difficult. But I got better. Be sure and rinse your mouth several times a day with warm salt/water. This will help dry up the extraction site; and I think it helps dry the mouth. The tooth I had pulled had two tooth roots fractured. The doctor didn't know if the extraction caused the fracture, or if it was already there. It does feel good, not having that stupid achy tooth. I miss the tooth, since it was a very large tooth; but also I am very happy I finally had it pulled! Its not so bad: just something kind of unpleasant to go through: but not undoable. Good luck to you all...Debbie

Debbie, I sincerely hope that this is an end to your pain. I'm still "hanging in" with my tooth, but I fear that I'm on the same path.

Congratulations on having it done!

What's next? A bridge or implant?

Hope that you feel better soon!

Thanks, Ilmom. I actually have mixed feelings about getting this tooth pulled. On the one hand, it does feel better (though the socket gets sore; and the stitches on the side of my gums irritate me). Those things will pass. Pulling it was hard. I can't lie about that; tell people it was a breeze. But if I can get through it, other people can, also. Since the teeth on each side are crowned, I'm going with a bridge. Its not like I will be injuring those teeth. I just hope there won't be complications when I get the bridge put on. With me, that's a real possibility, LOL! I always seem to be the one that has the problems. Oh well; I must think positive! My teeth are mostly crowned/root canaled...so getting an implant would probably be a waste of money for me.
How has your tooth been, Ilmom? Is it starting to calm down? I sure hope so! Debbie

Nice to hear that you're feeling a little better!

I had my root canal redone on #3. On the first try, he found three canals and an "off-shoot." There was calcification on the "shoot" and he stopped the RC there. When he went in on the re-do, he broke through to find that the shoot "went on a long way."

It's still very sore, but now it's "tolerable." Again, some days it feels better than other days. I'm still going to give it some time. My regular dentist said that it could take a couple of years to really settle down. I don't know if I want to wait that long. If nothing else, at least now I can chew some things. Boy, I wish that I could have a stick of gum!

Take care and best of luck!

IL mom
I had r/c done on #3 too last Dec. It would have turned out ok if ex-crummy dentist didn't make mistake during the procedure, I ended up in the Emergency room. I've been to another dentist, had it x-rayed, said it looked good, but sometimes they take a long time to calm down.I'm just now starting to notice improvement,90% of time feels normal.Chewing is no problem, a little sore when I manipulate it side to side with tongue.Been taking supplements COQ10, calcium, vit.C, ect, good for teeth and gums.Hang in there!