Dental questions?

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it: I'm being a chicken about going to the dentist, but considering the way the last dentist mangled my jaw, you'd be scared, too. Anyway, I have a couple of problems:


Several of my molars have, over time, broken-off down at or below the gumline (old fillings/crowns breaking off). Generally, they cause no trouble, and I brush them. But, one is giving me a bit of a bad time in the last two days, sharp pain that lasts briefly, then goes away. The gums have mostly grown over them. If I have them pulled, will it hurt worse than pulling a normal, non-impacted wisdom tooth? At my age (49) how much pain will I be in afterward? Two days? Three? And would these require surgery, or can the dentist just cut the gum and pop 'em out with an elevator? Last dentist to use an elevator shattered part of the maxilla! OOWWWWW!


Nobody in my family can tolerate gen. anesthesia (we get VERY ill), so I'm pretty scared. I'm also pretty broke!


Serious answers appreciated.

Dental questions?
HELLO ZEEBYA,


FIRST, LET ME STATE THAT IT WAS UNFORTUNATE FOR THE TRAUMA YOU EXPERIENCED. THE BONE OF THE MAXILLA IS LESS DENSE THAN THE MANDIBLE AND WITH A TRAUMATIC EXTRACTION BONE FRACTURE IS A LIKELY POSSIBILITY.


CONCERNING YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH A DENTIST, I WOULD RECOMMEND TO BE SEDATED AT THE ORAL SURGERY OFFICE.


THE BROKEN DOWN ROOTS WHICH ARE AT OR BELOW THE GUMS NEED TO BE EXTRACTED SURGICALLY.


SINCE FINANCIAL MEANS ARE AN ISSUE, CONSIDER A DENTAL SCHOOL WHERE THE COSTS ARE MORE REASONABLE THAN PRIVATE PRACTICE.


FYI: ELEVATORS USED IMPROPERLY WILL EASILY FRACTURE BONE OR ADJACENT TEETH.


AS A DENTIST I USE LUXATORS NOT ELEVATORS FOR EXTRACTIONS.
Reply:Your problem is pretty grim. Ask a dentist on how to treat it and you should not be scared. If you are the pain will be worse day by day
Reply:Roots normally heal back very quickly but sometimes the extraction can be difficult for a regular dentist b/c it will probably be a surgical extraction. Having a specialist (oral surgeon) perform the extractions would be much better. They can also perform a conscious sedation so you don't have to remember.
Reply:Dental surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and Lasik surgery in India by a company called Indian Health Guru Consultants. The Price for dental and Lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.





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Hope this helps.
Reply:If you are having these sharp pains, you need to make an appointment asap! An infection in your mouth can be very serious. Your dentist/oral surgeon will probably have to prescribe you an antibotic to fight the infection before they can do anything at all.


I completely understand your situation. I just had three wisdom teeth removed and was awake the whole time. The oral surgeon was telling me they have many new ways that are cost effective, which usually allows payment arrangments. I would advise you to be awake, it will go quick. They ususally give you some pain meds for after to. I felt no pain even after the numbing wore off. Even tho your situation sounds a bit more severe its not worth being put under :)Good Luck!
Reply:You should see an oral surgeon to have them taken out. They can put you to sleep so you won't have to worry about the pain. Since your teeth are broken that far down an oral surgeon can get them out much quicker than a general dentist because he has more experience with these kind of cases. You will have some discomfort after the procedure but they will give you some pain meds to help you deal with the pain. The tooth that has been bothering you is infected so you really need to have it extracted. It is not good for your body to have an infection like that. The pain will only get worse if you don't have it extracted. Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon.
Reply:Proper dental hygiene makes a person feel well through out the day. Brushing the teeth daily two times helps in keeping the dental diseases at bay. Dental hygiene is of utmost important for everyone. Choosing a proper paste and brush is very important as it helps in fighting cavities and germs in the teeth. Toothbrush should be changed at least every 4-5 months.
Reply:to me anything to do with the mouth is very painful. i suggest u take care of this right away, deal with the pain now rather than later; it might be enough time where you wont have to see an orthodontist, the dentist might be able to correct the problem. if not get ready for the surgical procedure. also i do not know what area (county) u live in, but i used to work @ the county medical center(s) in my county, program which is based on your family size, income, etc., we would put patients without medical ins on the county plan. we mostly had single men, living w/a friend or relative receiving free room and board(for those that did get food stamps), room only if they didn't receive the stamps. most qualified for 100% COVERAGE, not just for dental but for all services the county facility offered, even optometrist visits if you need glasses. the only down fall(s), the county usually is crowded, might have to go through the ER to be seen by the dentist immediately, or show up @ the dental clinic to register before they open (approx 7am is a good time) or see how long the wait time is for an appointment. now if the county won't work for u get ready for a huge dental bill if u go to a private dentist. if u decide to go to the county just ask if they have any assistance for the medically indigent. now i haven't worked since 2002 but the facility still provides care for indigent patients, i do believe there is a law for the county facilities not to turn anyone away who needs medical /dental attention. let go and let GOD! my prayers r w/u. i don't know how u feel about cannabis, since anesthetic is out of the question, it works for me i don't like pills, even though when i can't get the cannabis i'll take the nor-co (xtra strength vicodine w/out the tylenol), valiums, flexerils, etc. which is prescribed for me along w/synthetic marijuana in a pill called marinol, this script is hard to obtain due to the cost i recive 60 tabs per mo %26amp; they cost $1500. the new ins co i am with won't cover it because of the cost. i am working around this since i have been on the marinol for two yrs. good luck c u later bye!