Dental Dilemma, what would you do??

[jdm]

Hi

Well we leave in one week for Florida and our cruise. I've had this tooth kind of bugging me. I go to the dentist and I have a small fracture and I need a crown. This means 2 appts. with a temporary crown and 2 weeks in between. I thought, well, it's not that bad, I'll wait. Well of course, ever since I made that decision, the tooth has been bugging me more and more. So, I call and ask what I should do. The receptionist told me that if I had the first appt before we leave, and the temporary falls off at sea, then I would have exposed nerves and would be in a lot of pain. Or, I can just live with the tooth that is bugging me sparodically now and hope it doesn't get worse.

Decisions, decision. Really didn't want to deal with this the week before we leave

Jenn

 

[RobinMarie]

Having just went through a dental nightmare I would ask you: which tooth is it?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Is there anything they can prescribe you for pain until you get back to have it fixed? I think risking the crown coming off isn't worth it because being in alot of pain would probably ruin the vacation for you. That's a toughie, I guess I'd go with the less of the two evils and that's to live with it until I got back.

 

[jdm]

It's the upper way in the back to the right.

I don't know if they would prescribe anything. Lets put it this way, they didn't offer!

Jenn

 

[pooh luver]

A couple of cruises ago I had to travel with a temporary, but it was in the front and no pain. Having traveled with someone (DH) that always seems to have some kind of pain it is just no fun. I think I would hold off until the last possible moment and ask for pain killers just in case. If something happens on board the doctor, or whatever the person is, can give you something as well.

 

[jacobatt1]

Hi Jenn--well, that's yucky to have to deal with while you're getting ready! When I had a temporary crown put on, my dentist did give some meds in case it hurt, not b/c we were leaving town or anything, but just b/c I guess temporary crowns sometimes don't stay in as well. So I don't think it would be that odd that your dentist would be willing to do that--I think that's common practice.

Amy

 

[ohMom]

just my .02 -- i just had a crown down bottom lower molar, second from the back -- i was most miserable after having the first appt -- my jaw was really bruised feeling from the multiple injections for numbing. i would wait myself -- but i wasn't having any problems with my cracked tooth either.

i had no problems with my temporary but they did tell me no sticky foods

 

[bairdbeth]

Having had several crowns, I would do it now. I waited one time as the tooth was just a nagging pain now and then. I woke up one morning and my whole mouth hurt like nothing I had felt before. There isn't a place on the ship to fix it. I've been to WDW with a temporary crown before. I was there 10 days and had no problems. I just stayed away from anything sticky and chewy. There is a temporary adhesive you can get at a drugstore that you could temporarily use to replace it. Also, I think I saw a kind that could be used to cover your tooth if a crown broke. Better to get it done with the dentist you know than to try to find one at one of the ports for an emergency!

 

[mommasita]

First off I am very compassionate to you, I am suffering from the same... I, however, fortunately or unfortunatley am not leaving for anywhere. Sorry, I would get it fixed now as well. You will have the comfort of knowing it is done. Even if it does not bother you to the point of extreme pain, it will be constantly knawing at you. Should I eat this or that..etc. Then if the pain is that bad, you could ruin your trip.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents, and commiserate with you.. Good Luck..

 

[kikipug]

I have had 10 crowns... and none of the temps EVER came off without a lot of brute force on the dentist's part... (and I cruised with a temp several times...)

I would do it now... don't wait- you don't want an abcess at sea!!!

 

[joanb]

having cracked a tooth saturday and can't get an appt until next week-I am using the stuff I got at Walmart. Currently it is working well, but I have been careful about what I have been eating and trying to eat on one side. Hope it works out for you

 

[AKB]

I too, think you should get it done now. I've also have a cracked tooth and had to get a crown. I had no trouble with the temporary crown. The pain you have now could get worse.
Kathy

 

[tvguy]

I've traveled with the temp no problem. I've got 8 crowns, and the most uncomfortable thing for me has always been removing the temporary crown.
But, to be honest, I've never had pain with a cracked tooth. All my crowns because necessary because a chunk of tooth (painlessly) broke off.

 

[TootyJane]

I went through what you're going through now and ended up having a root canal. Since the tooth is bugging you more now, it may be possible you may need a root canal. I would definitely take care of this before your cruise. I've got three crowns and I'll tell you that I have never had a temporary come off. HTH

 

[tezb]

Another thing to consider....IF you are flying, the tooth can flare up from the elevation...especially since it is an upper tooth, under your sinus area. I was told this by the dentist before and I have had sensitive upper teeth after being in an airplane. You may need a root canal so ask your dentist about it. They could always do the root canal and put the crown on when you return...you would just have to be careful what you eat on that side but you would most likely have no pain. Why a crown anyway? Usually a tooth that needs a crown due to pain ends up needing a root canal eventually. I would get what you can done now for peace of mind. Also, sometimes when we know something is wrong, we can create more pain...

Good Luck!

 

[crisi]

I had the first root canal appointment before a trip to WDW. I'd go with the temp crown. There is a pretty good chance that if you loose the temp crown, the ships doctor will be able to put it back on for you (getting a temp crown back on isn't too difficult - as long as it didn't get bit - I've managed to get them back on myself without the dentist.

Also, ask for drugs. Over the counter anti-inflamatories help a LOT for tooth pain - most dentists will give you a stronger than over the counter pain killer.

 

[Hygiene99]

Only brush the ones you Want To Keep..

It is now posssible to do a Crown in one visit..

Maybe not at your regular dentist , but it is done at the office Jenn works at New technology.. Machine in office controled by a computer
and presto a new crown. in about an 2 + hour appointment...
actually had one done ... painless
Peter

 

[cjsmith]

Do it now~I can't stress this enough. I've have been where you are more than once. I ignored it and spent a portion of our 1st 7 night Disney cruise popping advil like crazy and putting ambasol on my teeth, it stunk. It really flared up the night prior to the cruise while we were staying at the Radisson, so much so that I almost went to the emergency room. I then had a root canal done and a temp crown right before our 2nd 7 night Disney cruise and had no problems. My dentist presribed an antibiotic and a pain pill just in case and I filled them and brought them along, never needing them.
Just get the temp crown, you'll be just fine. With all of my temp crowns, none have ever falled off.

 

[marcij]

If it were me, I'd start the crown now. I had a crack in one of my fillings and didn't get it fixed quickly. Then the filling/tooth broke, giving me a whole set of other problems.

Disney cruises are not cheap, and you shouldn't have to worry about tooth pain. You should be fully enjoying your cruise experience.

Start it now, and stay away from crunchy/sticky foods. If you eat mostly on the opposite side you shouldn't have any problems. You might also ask the dentist if he can give you something to help glue the crown back on if it comes off. I've never had a temporary come off, but you would have a back-up just in case.

I hope this all works out and you have a fabulous trip.

 

[Skallywag]

I always worry about losing a filling or something and here in England you can buy some stuff from the pharmacy to put over the tooth as a temprorary filling and wonder if this would work for you.