Need to vent - Dental Health Message Board

ciliegia · 04-28-2006, 09:38 PM

Here's why...First, over a year ago my tmj got so bad (work stress related) that I had to get a night guard. Then, for over a year, almost every 3 months, the guard had to be adjusted...okay...these things happen.

Then (second), for over 3 months I have, sporatically...maybe twice a week, had pain in the lower right quadrant of the mouth...only when I sleep. I go to the dentist for the pain...he sees nothing...adjusts the night guard.

Third...I lose the crown on my last molar (swallow it), near where the pain is, and have to have a root canal on a tooth for which I had root canal 30 years ago. The endodontist takes care of that. During the first week after the root canal, the pain returns...so I return to the endodontist thinking that maybe there's a problem on the tooth next to the one I lost...nothing...the next week, I go back to the dentist for the crown.

Fourth...for one week the dentist does his job and doesn't place a temporary crown...so the uncapped, but filled, tooth cuts up the interior of my mouth. The second week, now with a temporary crown, he states I have an infection. Okay... penicilin for the week. At least I learned that I can't take penicilin pills from this experience.

Fifth...pain returns and I return to the dentist...who makes me go back to the endodontist...who, after some serious probing that causes me a great deal of pain, they, ultimately, communicate with each other...and now, after all my pleas...they're sending me to a periodontist.

I go to the dentist every 6 months. I floss. I seek help from the dentist...I do everything that I'm supposed to do...and now they say I have some bone loss and need periodontal work!!

What I know, based onthe probe...my gum has receded, only at the back of the tooth, 7-9 mm. How and why was this not caught? I don't know...I'm just upset.

All of this is coming out of my pocket...okay...but, what's next? My appointment with the periodontist is Wednesday morning...I'm very anxious... about the pain...the procedure (what it is...I don't know) and the cost.

What should I expect?

Opinions? Reactions?

Thelma-Louise · 04-28-2006, 10:37 PM

Well I certainly sympathize with you and wish I could be more positive. I was always fastidious with my teeth due to a family history of poor dental health - had wisdoms removed & did braces as recommended, went for cleanings 3x a yr, brushed,waterpiked, flossed like a nut - imagine my horror when my teeth loosened on me at 30 yrs old only to find out on my first visit to the perio that I was almost into advanced gum disease. How could this be missed - my dentist knew my history and concerns! I was dumbfounded to say the least. Never went back to my reg dentist.

I had the scaling done 2x and then flap surgery on each quadrant and the bone loss continued although at a slower rate. Eventually lost teeth, went to partials and now a snap on denture, still doing everything I am told to do and now have severe tmj. Its a long journey - if you are lucky and have good genes and a good dentist and perio the progression can be slowed & even stopped.

The scaling is a deep cleaning below the gum line. They can do this a couple times a year. For some that is all that is needed but you need to go for checkup every 3 mos. My sister has been able to maintain her teeth doing this for the past 5 yrs. Its not as painful as surgery. Gum surgery or flap surgery is when they open up the gum and scrape the bone around the teeth and sew you back up. It is usually done under local anethesia (my dentist would not sedate me) and in sections. I did not find it that painful but stayed on aleve for several days. The stiches can be annoying. Its not pretty either. You will notice a reduction in the gum line and some spaces between teeth enlarged. But the gums regenerate a bit after some time. Also now they offer meds that can help halt the progression whereas before it was usually limited to anitbiotics. Ask about those when you go.

Be somewhat conservative in your approach and don't get pushed into doing anything radical. I sometimes wonder had I taken my sisters approach and had been less gungho if I would not be in the position I am in now. I thought I was being proactive. I did not mean to be negative about this - I am sure others will probably have more positive and encouraging things to say - I guess I had to vent a little too!. I wish you the best - Good luck!

arlmon18 · 04-29-2006, 11:18 AM

It's unbelievable that my "story" is so similar. I was seeing my ex-dentist every 4 months for cleanings. He didn't watch me carefully and I developed deep pockets, bone loss, etc. By the time he told me I had to see a perio, I lost a back tooth - it was loose and couldn't be saved. I also had flap surgery on the 4 quadrants - from Sept/05 until March/06. It certainly wasn't fun, but I had no choice. It was all done under a local. When the stitches came out, it felt better - they can be very uncomfortable. Now I only go to my perio for cleanings every 3 months. He recommended a new "general" dentist for me and I will see him next week. I broke a small piece of tooth (there's always something!!). You have to be very careful about choosing a dentist or specialist. We as patients are very vulnerable. The thing that really annoys me, is that my ex-dentist re-did all Celine Dion's teeth. There are pictures of her everywhere in his office. I wonder if he let her entertain with pockets and bone loss ?????

wintersun · 04-30-2006, 03:01 AM

That's why I'm glad I don't have any teeth-HA! OH but how I wish I did- to have your problems-well.?
I wish I had those problems- well, not really..
But sometimes, I wish I did..
To talk about gum grafts, etc..
I sometimes wish I had those problems..