"Scout" wrote in message
. ..
Get it done sooner rather than later. I suppose a post and cap is in
order. Not cheap.

It already has a gold crown on it. Been there over twenty years. The
plan is to drill a hole in the center of the crown, go in with
microscope and micro tools and remove the pulp from the root canals (one
of which they say is causing the infection which the body can't remove
because there isn't enough blood vessels in the pulp for white blood
cells to get to work so the infection is fought in the area where the
nerve exits the root tip causing an abscess), then disinfect, then fill
with some sort of sterile soft plastic to imitate the removed pulp. Then
fill the hole in the crown.

You might get a second opinion. If you aren't feeling it, it might not
be all that close to the nerve, another dentist might suggest just
capping it. I've had at least one saved in the "nick of time"

My dentist said to get it done soon. I scheduled an appoint with an
ontodontist who specializes in microscopic dental surgery. Very
expensive. About 2 large. I could get the molar yanked but it would
leave a gap in the chewing area and the other teeth would probably start
moving into the gap and ruin my bite. I have all my teeth but many are
crowns. I'd rather pay the big bucks too keep things in line and working
properly. If it's necessary, it's necessary. I guess the orthodontist,
after he looks at it and the x-rays, will know for sure.

Thanks for the info.

Wilbur Hubbard


Scout

"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote in message
...
Anybody here ever had a root canal. I'm scheduled to have one next
week and I've been wondering if this rather primitive sounding
technique of gutting the insides of a tooth and filling the now dead
tooth with plastic is the best modern dentistry has come up with. Is
there any other treatment for a small abscess at one of the roots of
a tooth other than killing the tooth? The tooth doesn't even hurt. It
just feels funny when I chew on it. If I chew gum it feels a little
like it's gonna pull out but it's tight in the jaw and there's not
swelling or discoloration or any other external sign of a problem
They only caught it on an x-ray. But my dentist says get her done! He
says it will never get better on its own and might end up causing
problems for nearby teeth not to mention degrade my general health
and stamina because it represents a low-grade infection my body has
to fight constantly. Any thoughts or experiences?

Wilbur Hubbard