Is a tooth extraction really necessary?
I just got back from the dentist.
I suffer a bit from gum disease which I inherited from my mother.
About a year ago the back half of one of my teeth fell out leaving a small hole that cannot be seen from the outside.
I went to the dentist and I was told that I had a gum abscess and given antibiotics. I was then told that if the tooth hurts to come back and they will pull it. Otherwise it might fall out on its own.
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One year passes and the tooth doesn't fall out and nothing unusual happens.
Until last week.
Last week and incredible pain occurred and lasted for 3 days keeping me up at night.
I made an appointment with my local dentist and I just got back right now.
Once again there was a gum abscess and I was given antibiotics but also told that it's a nerve was dead and that tooth and that it needed to be pulled next week.
However, I was never given a good explanation of why it absolutely needs to be pulled.
I figure that I will take the antibiotics and the abscess will go away just like it did last year.
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What reason is there then to give that guy $268 extra dollars of my extraordinarily hard earned money that I don't have very much of to pull a tooth that has not got a nerve in it?
I wonder what your thoughts are on this?
Isn't it possible that this could simply become a non vital tooth and not need to be pulled?
It's difficult to tell because dentists are trying to make money.
So I'm curious what you think.
Is a tooth extraction really necessary?
If you're willing to put up with it once a year, I don't see what the problem is. Communication is so important between doctors and patients. If your dentist can't give you a good reason I think you're right to have doubts.
Well the dentist makes money for the more work he has to do. I never trust any doctor or dentist.
I don't know much about tooth. But I can see that you went through a lot of pain. I guess you are OK now?
Well I still have a tooth that might or might not need to be pulled.
By the way. All the best.. Be safe
I'm surprised that the dentist didn't suggest a root canal. I'm assuming that the x-rays show the damage is too far gone? Or perhaps the expense of the root canal is cost prohibitive? I agree that dental work is expensive. For years, I didn't have insurance and I had to go to a community health center, stand in line and hope that I was early enough to beat the line. Usually, around 50 people would get treated in a day. (The good thing about places like that is that they would adjust the cost depending on your paycheck.)
Unfortunately, even though your infection will clear up thanks to the antibiotics there is still the decayed root or meat inside your mouth and it will just continue to rot. The infection will build again and could spread to your other teeth (killing off their roots and damaging nerves) or your jaw. Also, the longer the infection is left unchecked, the more likely it is that you could end up with blood poisoning. The cost is awful, but I've had those massive pains from an infected tooth (where I've considered grabbing a pair of pliers and pulling the damn thing out myself). Please have it taken care of (maybe see a 2nd dentist for a better removal rate?).
I'm actually thinking of pulling it out myself. There's only half a tooth so there's no real reason to get a root canal because it definitely can't be saved.
Damn. Well, I'm not sure if self-dentistry is the way to go (and yes, I think a good lot of the dentists out there are shysters - although I wonder how much of the money goes to pay their student loans and insurance). You'd have to make sure to get the entire root of the dead tooth which will be VERY brittle and could break off in sections. If that happens, then pulling it won't have done any good since there is still that necrotic tissue in your jaw and you'll still be at risk of sepsis. Also, if you do too much wiggling while pulling it, you may damage the nerves in the surrounding area. Plus, depending on the size of the hole, you may need a stitch or two to keep the wound closed and encourage healing.
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I wish I had advice. I still have my wisdom teeth. Last dentist wanted to pull them even though they've never bothered me in my life. I figured he was trying to make more money from an unnecessary procedure. I hope you don't have to get it pulled.