Dental options

[simba20]

I have a sinus infection in which the pressure has aggravated some of the nerves in my mouth, and I have a tooth that is in agony. This started on Monday.

I called my dentist yesterday and got an appoinment for this a.m. for him to look at it and what path to take. Because of the position of the tooth, I want to do what I can to save it and not look like a "hillbilly." It will leave a noticeable gap. So he and the assistant determined that a root canal would be the best option, however he did not have the time to do it today, unless I wanted to wait around to see if their 11:00 appoinment would show -- it was 9:15. The dentist is 30 minutes from me, so I declined waiting, to which I was told that they'd rather have my sinus infection clear up before they did the procedure. I was given a script for some strong abx and some Tylenol 3, and made an appointment for the root canal on the 31st (earliest slot available). I really hope I can make it until then.

This afternoon, my face (well left check) swelled up. As I was preparing dinner, the pain hit me and I nearly passed out. It's not really the tooth that is hurting the most, it's just nerve sensitivity and the swelling that hurts. So I've been putting ice on it and took half of a Ty3 (they will knock me out so I take half of one at a time).

So now I am thinking and reviewing my options. Right now the plan is for a root canal and crown to which my insurance pays 80% of each, so my total out of pocket cost is $300 or so.

I am hoping that the abx kick in and start relieving the swelling and pressue as they clear the infection, however if things do not improve I am thinking about just having them pull it. To cover the gap, I have another tooth behind it that has been pulled, I was thinking of getting a bridge to fill in for the two teeth. Hpw much does a bridge cost? I am not sure of what my insurance would pay, but would it be a better option? Notte, if the consensus is that bridges are $$$, then I'll stick with the root canal plan.

I know another option would be to go somewhere else and try and get it done, but it wasn't until last year I got over my fear of the dentist, so I have built up trust with him and his assistants. I'd rather not go to someone new,and have to start all over again with that bonding.

Oh, I had the root canal explined to me, but what does getting a crown entail?

 

[Pakey]

Stick with the root canal/crown plan. Always keep your own teeth if possible.

A crown entails the grinding down of your existing tooth to a "nub" that will then be covered with a porcelain tooth, called a crown. It's a 2 step process. On the first step, they will grind the tooth and do an impression for the crown. While the crown is being made at a lab (usually takes a week or so), the dentist will put on a temporary crown to keep the nub from being exposed to the elements. A week or so later, they will remove the temp crown and glue the permanent one in it's place and make sure that it fits properly/maintains your existing bite. All but 6 of my teeth are crowned so I've been through this procedure a few times.

With a sinus infection, I'm not sure ice is the best thing as ice/cold collapses the sinus passages and could be making the pain worse. I also have a lot of sinus problems and steam showers work better for me. I also have a script for vicodin when my sinus pain becomes intolerable--tylenol doesn't cut it. Good luck, I know how horrible it is.

 

[phorsenuf]

I have a sinus infection in which the pressure has aggravated some of the nerves in my mouth, and I have a tooth that is in agony. This started on Monday.

I called my dentist yesterday and got an appoinment for this a.m. for him to look at it and what path to take. Because of the position of the tooth, I want to do what I can to save it and not look like a "hillbilly." It will leave a noticeable gap. So he and the assistant determined that a root canal would be the best option, however he did not have the time to do it today, unless I wanted to wait around to see if their 11:00 appoinment would show -- it was 9:15. The dentist is 30 minutes from me, so I declined waiting, to which I was told that they'd rather have my sinus infection clear up before they did the procedure. I was given a script for some strong abx and some Tylenol 3, and made an appointment for the root canal on the 31st (earliest slot available). I really hope I can make it until then.

This afternoon, my face (well left check) swelled up. As I was preparing dinner, the pain hit me and I nearly passed out. It's not really the tooth that is hurting the most, it's just nerve sensitivity and the swelling that hurts. So I've been putting ice on it and took half of a Ty3 (they will knock me out so I take half of one at a time).

So now I am thinking and reviewing my options. Right now the plan is for a root canal and crown to which my insurance pays 80% of each, so my total out of pocket cost is $300 or so.

I am hoping that the abx kick in and start relieving the swelling and pressue as they clear the infection, however if things do not improve I am thinking about just having them pull it. To cover the gap, I have another tooth behind it that has been pulled, I was thinking of getting a bridge to fill in for the two teeth. Hpw much does a bridge cost? I am not sure of what my insurance would pay, but would it be a better option? Notte, if the consensus is that bridges are $$$, then I'll stick with the root canal plan.

I know another option would be to go somewhere else and try and get it done, but it wasn't until last year I got over my fear of the dentist, so I have built up trust with him and his assistants. I'd rather not go to someone new,and have to start all over again with that bonding.

Oh, I had the root canal explined to me, but what does getting a crown entail?

I am in the process of doing a bridge to 'replace' one tooth. They had to crown three others for it. Costing me $2500 after insurance.
With a crown the file your tooth into a little nub then make a replacement tooth (crown) and cement that over the nub.

 

[minkydog]

Try to give the abx time to work. You really don't want to have any dental work done until the infection is under control. Too easy to spread infection to the heart. My suggestion is to (figureatively) bite the bullet and take the full dose of Tylenol #3, at least for the next day or so. I know you have to be miserable. Keep icing on 20 and off 20. Don't put heat on that swelling! Your head will be the size of Texas! '


I"m in agreement with the other posters--try to save this tooth, if you can. Especially since it appears to be a tooth that will show when you smile. Bridges are expensive and "pretend" teeth never look exactly like real teeth, IMO. But I wouldn't make *any* important decisions while I'm under the influence of infection and narcotics. Wait until you are totally clear-headed. Tomorrow, call the office and ask them to wait-list you for the root canal. I bet someone will cancel between now and Aug 31.

 

[Magic Mom]

I would live with the pain until the infection is gone before I even considered pulling a tooth over a sinus infection. The pain may go away after the infection is gone. What did your doctor say about it?

 

[krcit]

I would live with the pain until the infection is gone before I even considered pulling a tooth over a sinus infection. The pain may go away after the infection is gone. What did your doctor say about it?

Yes, I'm confused also. Is the tooth pain just from the sinus infection? I had a severe tooth ache last summer from a sinus infection, took the antibiotics and it went away. I hope that is the case with you OP...tooth pain is agonizing. maybe try a hot, hot shower to help drain your sinus?

 

[simba20]

Yes, I'm confused also. Is the tooth pain just from the sinus infection? I had a severe tooth ache last summer from a sinus infection, took the antibiotics and it went away. I hope that is the case with you OP...tooth pain is agonizing. maybe try a hot, hot shower to help drain your sinus?

The tooth is aggravated by the sinus infection, however after looking at the x-ray the dentist and assistant noticed that the tooth needs work done to it. I am okay with that decision. In my original post I mentioned that for a number of years I had a fear of the dentist, so needless to say I had not gone for a long time and I have a mouthful of work to be done. I am been slowly getting things pulled/filled/etc and then this popped up.

Eventually I will have my "Extreme Mouth Makeover" but first all of the problems have to be fixed.

 

[krcit]

The tooth is aggravated by the sinus infection, however after looking at the x-ray the dentist and assistant noticed that the tooth needs work done to it. I am okay with that decision. In my original post I mentioned that for a number of years I had a fear of the dentist, so needless to say I had not gone for a long time and I have a mouthful of work to be done. I am been slowly getting things pulled/filled/etc and then this popped up.

Eventually I will have my "Extreme Mouth Makeover" but first all of the problems have to be fixed.

Gotcha! I have a fear of dentists myself Hope you feel better asap!

 

[clutter]

You don't usually get swelling with a sinus infection. Can you feel (you can do it through your teeth) if the swelling is on the gum above the tooth? If it is, it could be abcessed, and they can drain it. I'd call in the morning (sorry that your dds is so far away, btdt) if it is and ask.

 

[simba20]

You don't usually get swelling with a sinus infection. Can you feel (you can do it through your teeth) if the swelling is on the gum above the tooth? If it is, it could be abcessed, and they can drain it. I'd call in the morning (sorry that your dds is so far away, btdt) if it is and ask.

No swelling on my gums. The tooth is very sensitive to touch. I just wish the swelling of my cheek would go down. When I look out of my left eye, all I see is the ridge of my puffy cheek.

 

[PetersonFamily]

Definitely go w/ a root canal and crown. At our office, a RC and porc. crown is around $1800. We make our crowns in the office so it's one visit instead of two appt's 2 weeks apart. A 3-unit bridge would run about $2700, plus the dentist would be grinding two perfectly healthy teeth into nubs to create the retainers of the bridge. **Some of our patients listen to their mp3 players while we work on them. They can't hear the noises (drilling) and so they are more relaxed.**

 

[simba20]

**Some of our patients listen to their mp3 players while we work on them. They can't hear the noises (drilling) and so they are more relaxed.**

The drill is annoying, and my dentist has TVs in each room with headphones, but I like being aware of what they are saying/doing. And amazingly, I can talk without moving my lips so I like to ask questions while they work, when it's not bothersome to them. If they are deep in concentration then I don' say anything.

My first visit to this dentist was last year, after years of not going, for a toothache. The dnetal assistant who did my x-rays was soo sweet and explained all of my options to me for that tooth at the time. I saw how knowledgeable she was. At that time, i chose to have the tooth pulled (a molar) and was so so nervous. So the dentist comes in, talks to me for a bit, then they administer the novacaine. So after waiting for that to take effect, then dentist comes back in, leans the chair back and within a minute or two he says "Okay, that's it." I looked at him and replied 'Seriously, that was all, i am done." he laughed and said yes. I had built up all this anxiety in my head, and it was a piece of cake. I immediately said "Okay let's start a plan to get all what I need done."

But I often wonder why, when you tell someone you have to go to the dentist, they immediately tell you their own dentist horror story? Seriously, that doesn't help a person who has fear.

Anyway, I am about to pop a Ty3 and head off to Dreamland.....