I have a filling in my lower jaw molar that has been there for probably two years. Recently I noticed a hair-line fracture on the side of the tooth (only half way - not all down to the bottom) with a 'black dot' at the end. My tooth has been hurting a little, but not excessively. Surprisingly, I only get some pain when I chew gum! I am thinking that maybe the filling I have has started to deteriorate and decay has set in. I'm worried it has gone down to my nerve & I might need a root canal. Can anyone help with info on this? I've got a dentist apt. in a few days, but I'm scared of what he'll say!
2006-11-07 00:09:00 · 7 answers · asked by austgirl2 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Everyone here is right. The deeper the filling is the more likely it is to have effected the nerve. The way my dentist explained it to me was 'If the nerve has been disrupted, it will eventually die. It may not die today or next year but it will eventually...leading to a root canal'. I notice sometimes when I chew gum the same thing happens; I may get a dull ache in a tooth that has a filling in it. Every time it occurs I panic that the nerve in the tooth has died and the abscess is setting in. Sometimes it's the case and sometimes it's just sensitive. The only way I can ever be sure is to have the dentist x-ray it. If the nerve is dead, yes you will need a root canal. If it's a molar, I suggest getting a crown. Once the root canal is done, the tooth will weaken and be easier to break. Crowns are pricey but well worth it. Depending on your dental insurance, you may decide to pull it which would be the cheapest route. Good luck!
2006-11-07 01:03:37 · answer #1 · answered by Mandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most probably decay has set in and you need a root canal and then a crown. Some discomfort or pain can be expected after the procedure. Simply follow the instructions given by dentist. Since your apt is near you will know for sure soon. You have seen your dentist often to know what he'll say; others cannot be expected to predict.
2006-11-07 01:23:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only the dentist could give you right answer i had a same problem but didn't go to dentist cuz i was so scared! I lived with the pain for months and eventually i couldn't take it anymore! I had a root canal done and crown to put on and it saved my tooth! It hurted a little after the procedure but nothing to compare pain before! good luck
2006-11-07 02:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by ShdD345 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Xray will determine for sure. Root canals suck, but they kill the root in that tooth and you shouldn't have any more problems after that. Good luck
2006-11-07 01:01:48 · answer #4 · answered by Robert B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't project.
Just go to your dentist appt. You will get your professional
answer there.
good luck to you
2006-11-07 00:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if its not that painful then you will be fine. Also depends on if the cavity is deep or not
2006-11-07 00:13:33 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't get it you will have to have a cap put on it and still it won't be do in a couple of years it will have to be changed. i would just get it pulled
2006-11-07 00:14:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋