I my 2nd left side pre-molar filled a couple of months back, it feels fine but has now developed a lump on the gum and I am told that I will need to have it pulled or get a root canal. I have read alot lately about root canals NOT being good for you...so I am considering just getting it extracted. I just don't know what to do!!!! I am going to see an orthodontist on wednesday to see if it would be good to get it taken out before I get braces (hoping for invisalign) or if I will need that tooth in place for my teeth to be straightened properly. Any one have any advice or been through a similar decision? Money is an issue here too. ;( ......no insurance http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Should I see more than one ortho to get a 2nd 3rd opinion.........I was hoping someone on this board might have had a similiar experience and could share...... ;(

I haven't had a similiar experience, but I'm an advocate for preserving a tooth if it can be done. What are you talking about when you say root canals are bad for you? My mom has had a bunch and they aren't so bad. You just gotta see a good endodontist. Then in the end you get to save the tooth!

If you feel a second or third opinion is in order after you see this first orthodontist, go for it. It depends on what he says though, and if it goes along with what you really want to do. I just would have the root canal.

Years ago I had a lump on my gum. I thought it was an ulcer and didn't go to the dentist for a long time. When the bump (abscess trying to get out) didn't go away and I finally went to the dentist, a root canal was done. Since then, I had to have an apicoectomy on that tooth. If I had gone to the dentist and had the root canal sooner, maybe I could have avoided the apico.
Please go back to the dentist and have this treated soon.
Keeping your natural teeth is the goal.

There is information about root canals being bad for your health.

Having been a biology student I find this information very real and interesting. I feel now that I would rather get rid of the tooth...if it would be better. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by taranino (edited 08-05-2003).]

[Edited to remove websites with advertising and chats.]

[This message has been edited by Well-come (edited 08-06-2003).]

pplease tell us what hthe ortho said i think i have an abcess tooth


here is a question dose there have to a lump i never had a lump

Originally posted by taranino

There is information about root canals being bad for your health.

Having been a biology student I find this information very real and interesting. I feel now that I would rather get rid of the tooth...if it would be better.

"Real and interesting" eh? LOL, whatever. To each his own. You still haven't told me WHY they are bad [for your health]. My mom has had 5+ root canals and she's a-okay. If you want to lose a tooth that may be saved, go for it. I'm a biology student too and I think it's a little silly.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Sure, there can be an abscess without a lump. Actually, the lump I had years ago was leaking the abscess (gross). The dentist said that actually the leak was relieving the pressure so I didn't have pain. Of course, the tooth was getting weaker all the time. That was 15 years ago and I still have the tooth, thanks to a root canal and apico.
I've had 8 root canals/crowns. I would really look into the cost/pain of implants/dentures before I would decide against trying to save the natural tooth. Good luck!

I agree with Cash......

The first thing to do is the least intrusive, which it sounds in your case is the root canal. Not a big deal. I had 2 done in my teens which were teeth that abscessed because of braces and movement of my teeth. It actually felt better to get those root canals done. The teeth had been fine and only slightly discolored over the years due to the fact that there was obviously no blood supply to the teeth.

Later in life I decided to improve the cosmetic appearance of my front teeth which were discolored as a result of braces during my teens and the ONLY reason I decided to crown these 2 dead teeth was because I wanted to have the color match the veneers I was having placed over the ajoining teeth.

It's better to leave a tooth in its place, or at least that root structure, because when a tooth is extracted the jaw bone in that area deteriorates because it has no "job" to do now that that tooth is gone in that place which affects the integrity of the jawbone of the neighboring "healthy" teeth. I don't know where you are getting your info from -- and of course everyone would want to never have any dental procedures done on them --- but really it comes down to logic when considering the options.

Oh, and one more thing - It's not clear to me whether you inevitably will be getting braces, but obviously you'd want to seiously consider the advice of your orthodontist on this subject.

good luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by familyfull (edited 08-07-2003).]