Any dentist on this forum?

[turtle3]

Dear people,

does anyone know to explain me, i have very strong pain in one tooth since last week. X-ray of the tooth did not show anything wrong.

However my doctor said there can be infection, tooth filling is close to the nerve and changing filling is not the option. She gave me antibiotics to try to kill bacteria if there are some. I feel much better since I am taking medication. I would really like to avoid root canal treatment, but i don't understand how did bacteria enter inside if it is properly sealed and even if antibiotic cure it now, new bacteria can come inside again, but from where are coming bacteria?

[Coily]

Not a Dentist, But I slept in a Holiday Inn Express...

Is this a recent filling? If so there is a possibility that some bacteria slipped in under the filling as it was put in, mouths aren't super sanitary. it is also possible that your nerve could be irritated from the new filling as well

If an older filling you tooth could have had some other decay that has developed and let the bacteria in.

All my non medical thinking done, I would suggest consulting another dentist at a different practice.

[Cherylyn]

Not a dentist.  You might have an abscess which should require prompt medical / dental attention.

Make a dental appointment immediately!

I've had a root canal and crown.  It wasn't fun.  However, 2 weeks post-op and I was fine.  In my case,  I had a sensitive tooth's nerves to cold and hot food and beverages.   No infection. 

[turtle3]

Thank you guys,

No it is not recent tooth filling, i have done that tooth maybe 5 years ago. And from outside it looks good. I went to 2 different dentists, both did x ray and there is nothing underneath filling, but pain is very bad. Right now I am taking antibiotic and it is better, but what confuses me is from where that pain comes when all looks normal. I want to avoid root canal treatment. 😥

[Cherylyn]

3 minutes ago, turtle3 said:

Thank you guys,

No it is not recent tooth filling, i have done that tooth maybe 5 years ago. And from outside it looks good. I went to 2 different dentists, both did x ray and there is nothing underneath filling, but pain is very bad. Right now I am taking antibiotic and it is better, but what confuses me is from where that pain comes when all looks normal. I want to avoid root canal treatment. 😥

Perhaps you need to see someone other than a dentist.  Make an appointment with an endodontist or an oral surgeon.  Not necessarily for surgery but for additional opinions and for your peace of mind to get to the bottom of this for an accurate diagnosis as opposed to prescribing antibiotics and sending you on your merry way. 

[Coily]

Glad you had the second opinion, even if nothing new was discovered. From the lay perspective it does seem like nerve death, though the fact antibiotics are helping makes this more complicated.

I presume have tried toothpaste for sensitive teeth? Do you have any other concurrent medical problems that have pain as a symptom? 

 

[Seraphim]

I have had 3 root canals and just had a crown done today because I am a clincher and grinder and I shatter and crack teeth. Even a micro cracks will let bacteria in . If the nerve has died, you will have to have a root canal and then I would really recommend a crown on top of it. I’ve lost three teeth on my root  canals for not doing the crown. 

[Batya33]

Please don't seek medical advice like this here especially about teeth.  I'll share my non medical advice as a root canal/abscess/implant/ chick.  Yes I've had that situation.  Yes unfortunately without a root canal there's a risk of infection despite "sealed".  Yes I learned the hard way that waiting is a really really bad choice.  

Root canal is no fun but it's way way better than a true abscess.  My personal non medical person concern is -yes the antibiotics might help but you might be vulnerable to another infection.  I always went to an endodontist for a follow up.  I hate tooth/mouth pain and I needed oral surgery during covid/pre-vaccine.  It sucked and I delayed since the pain was low level.  Finally my sister (also non-medical person) did her tough love thing and said -this is not normal.  Go to the doctor.  Soon.  Thank goodness because I caught it before it was a true emergency. 

[boltnrun]

I lost three teeth because I tried to "wait" and "avoid". Now I have empty spaces and struggle to chew my food. 

Please schedule an appointment with an endodontist.

[Cherylyn]

Just now, boltnrun said:

I lost three teeth because I tried to "wait" and "avoid". Now I have empty spaces and struggle to chew my food. 

Please schedule an appointment with an endodontist.

@boltnrun  I'm sorry.

[Batya33]

3 minutes ago, Cherylyn said:

@boltnrun  I'm sorry.

Me too. I hated reading that.  I have a few implants and so far so good.  OP i hope you feel much better!!!

[Seraphim]

13 minutes ago, boltnrun said:

I lost three teeth because I tried to "wait" and "avoid". Now I have empty spaces and struggle to chew my food. 

Please schedule an appointment with an endodontist.

Yup!!! I have two lower molars left that is fun trying to eat. Don’t wait . 

[turtle3]

Thank you guys, i know what you mean, i am not waiting anything, it started on Friday, on Sunday i went to emergency and x ray showed nothing. And on Tuesday to my dentist, again nothing, but so horrible pain. I live in Germany and here is dentist doing all things, cavity, surgery, root canal treatment... i see no points of antibiotic, after i stop taking it, if there is micro crack, bacteria can come in again 😭

[boltnrun]

But you said you're trying to "avoid a root canal". Avoiding won't get you any better. 

[turtle3]

No, i know i can not avoid, i would not like it to happen, although i know i can not do anything about it.

[Jibralta]

3 hours ago, turtle3 said:

I went to 2 different dentists, both did x ray and there is nothing underneath filling, but pain is very bad. Right now I am taking antibiotic and it is better, but what confuses me is from where that pain comes when all looks normal. I want to avoid root canal treatment. 😥

If the antibiotics are making it feel better, it might be an abscess. I had one about 8 years ago. It sucked. Very painful. But antibiotics made it better. It hasn't come back since then.

[boltnrun]

Abscesses also do not show up on x-rays.

[Starlight925]

It’s possible after 5 years for micro leakage around the filling, which would allow bacterial growth.

 Even if properly sealed, there is a shrinkage factor with every filling material that can cause stress upon the cusps.  Think of the filling as a rock hard substance, and your tooth is porous, made of millions of tubules.  The hard substance can shrink over time, when stressing against this porous material (the tooth itself) and there can be micro leakage which allows the bacteria to enter. 

Hopefully I’m explaining that well   It’s much easier to draw a picture, but you can envision it hopefully.

There are many other factors that could have caused this, but bottom line, if your dentist suspects bacterial growth, and has prescribed antibiotics, then that is the best course of action.

As far as a root canal, do not be afraid of pain, as dental anesthesia has come a very long way, and root canal is the best way to save the tooth.

If the roots are intact and the alveolar bone is in good shape (the bone that the teeth “fit” into, then root canal is a great option if it comes to that.

As others have suggested, seek an endodontist or another dentist for another opinion so that you are comfortable with your decision. 
 

 

 

[Wiseman2]

12 hours ago, turtle3 said:

. I went to 2 different dentists, both did x ray and there is nothing underneath filling, but pain is very bad. Right now I am taking antibiotic and it is better, 

All you can do is keep taking the prescribed antibiotics. Then follow up with your dentist. Actually conservative treatment is usually the first place to start. Then further treatment can be initiated.

First they have to manage the infection. Try not to panic this much. 2 dentists have completely examined and x-rayed you, and concur.

Please call their office if you have concerns or questions or make a follow up appointment. Medical and dental care is not a do-it-yourself situation.

[turtle3]

Jibralta you gave me a hope antibiotic can help me by itself. boltnrun then probably it is abscess... Starlight925 thank you for explaining me to understand what is going on.  Wiseman2 thank you too, I am not saying it is to do yourself problem. I have already lost 2 teeth by root canal treatment which are now both completely dark and although i still have them, it is not possible to see if there is cavity or something wrong and I know that soon they have to go out. So losing another tooth is my last option. And if someone is responsible about teeth and health, it is me.

[Seraphim]

23 minutes ago, turtle3 said:

Jibralta you gave me a hope antibiotic can help me by itself. boltnrun then probably it is abscess... Starlight925 thank you for explaining me to understand what is going on.  Wiseman2 thank you too, I am not saying it is to do yourself problem. I have already lost 2 teeth by root canal treatment which are now both completely dark and although i still have them, it is not possible to see if there is cavity or something wrong and I know that soon they have to go out. So losing another tooth is my last option. And if someone is responsible about teeth and health, it is me.

I lost my 3 root canal teeth by not getting crowns. Two shattered because they become brittle without the roots to feed them. One root canal I had at 8 years old because I got slammed in the mouth with a swing. As an adult in my 40’s the root line cracked and I got a severe jaw bone infection. I had to have an operation in which they dug out the infected bone . I had to wait 6 months for my jaw bone to heal and then they pulled that tooth and bonded the other two closer teeth together. The tooth removed was very tiny. I have a very tiny mouth inside with no room and small teeth. I am missing 5 adult teeth naturally and they never would have it in my mouth anyway. I am 56 and still have a baby tooth and I have had 3 removed . I was naturally missing some molars so when I lost two on the bottom it became more drastic because it is now hard to chew. I have to save my last two bottom molars. Crowns are a way of saving them for as long as possible . 
 

The health of our mouth and teeth are also related to cardiac health. 

[Batya33]

I also got all my root canals crowned.  Pain in the you know what but essential.  I hope you feel better OP -I feel for you!

[Cherylyn]

I had a root canal and crown for only one molar and that's it.  No, dental implants either.  My other teeth are all healthy and intact,  thank goodness.  I have one amalgam filling.  I didn't have an infection nor abscess.  It was a sensitive molar to cold and hot food or beverages. 

Fortunately,  due to good nutrition and expensive orthodontics,  my teeth are in pretty good shape and I take very good care of them. 

My mother was malnourished as a child and so her teeth were in awful shape. 

My MIL (mother-in-law) was malnourished as a child and didn't have access to dental care so she lost all of her teeth very early.

My current dentist said that your teeth are like "jewels" and you need to take excellent care of them.  I concur.  @turtle3,  I hope you will receive an accurate diagnosis other than prescription antibiotics because you need to find out the cause of the infection or abscess if it's that and prevent further damage to your teeth or tooth before you need to resort to any type of oral surgery.  Prevention is key if you can go that route.  I would seek additional opinions if I were you.  There are tests other than x-rays which are performed by specialists if you have access to specialists such as an endodontist or oral surgeon; not necessarily for surgery but just for your peace of mind.  I wouldn't see a dentist who does everything.  Specialists are trained for zeroing in on more in depth tooth / teeth diagnosis compared to a dentist. 

 

[turtle3]

Omg Seraphim, i am sorry ypu had to go through so much with your teeth 😞 it is so sad losing them... Thank you guys for your advices. I will seek another opinion for sure, it is crazy when pain starts, my ear, my eye and nose hurt too on that side 😭

[boltnrun]

Just now, turtle3 said:

Omg Seraphim, i am sorry ypu had to go through so much with your teeth 😞 it is so sad losing them... Thank you guys for your advices. I will seek another opinion for sure, it is crazy when pain starts, my ear, my eye and nose hurt too on that side 😭

Mine hurt that badly too.  And it turned out the teeth were too badly damaged to be repaired, so they were extracted.  That was the result of me trying to avoid dealing with it instead of just going to the gosh darned dentist.  And I had insurance too!