I had to have a temporary cap placed on my tooth, while I await for the permanent cap to come in. They said that when they drilled the rotten tooth down, they could see the pink of the nerve. That it wasn't exposed, but they could see it. They told me if I were to be in a lot of pain, then I'd know I'd need a root canal done. They said there was a 50/50 chance I'd need a root canal. They said I may have a little sensitivity to cold, etc, that would be normal. It hasn't really bothered me, EXCEPT, when I go to eat something & the food presses down on that temp cap, it's like I can feel the nerve being pressured. I've tried to avoid eating on this tooth, especially crunchy or sticky things, as I was told. But if I'm eating a sandwich or something & bite down, I feel the pressure & it's unfomfortable. Just sitting here, I feel nothing. Am I only feeling this cuz it's a temporary cap & it will go away when I get the permanent cap put on or does this mean I need a root canal? .
2007-03-18 18:38:45 · 5 answers · asked by Me in TN 2 in Health ➔ Dental
I've been a dentist for 31 years, so that's about how much I know about dentistry.
With the feelings that you describe, if that tooth was in MY mouth, I'd ask to have the root canal treatment done before the permanent cap is placed. If you don't do it now, I guarantee that you will be doing it within a year and then they'll have to drill a hole in your brand new crown. Not to mention, you'll probably wake up with a rip-roaring toothache on a Friday night first... That's just how these things seem to go.
2007-03-18 18:43:09 · answer #1 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't dream of trying to show up Dr Sam in the denistry department :D I just wanted to add something since you seem to be worried about having a root canal. Root canals are rarely painful. You hear a lot of nasty stuff about them, but it's not that bad. The worst part about it is that it takes a lot of time to get it done (hours). If you have to have a root canal, see if you can talk the dentist into doing the whole thing in one day ... digging out the nerve and putting in the permenant filling. I've had 3 root canals ... the first two were done in one day, and I felt no pain during it or afterwards. The third took a couple of visits and that's the only one that bothered me. But it still wasn't that bad. So don't be nervous!
2007-03-19 01:57:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dr. Sam wins this one, but to agree with Monica - I don't know why people are so afraid of root canals.
I recently conquered an 18 year phobia of dentists (with the help of a wonderful dentist), and spent 2 months getting my teeth fixed (every week was a party in my mouth!) including several root canals - sure, there was soreness afterwards but nothing so horrific that I felt the need to do anything more than take a couple of Advil. I went to work right afterwards, and was fine.
You really should think about getting the root canal done - it will kill the nerve and will save the hassle of having the crown re-done in a few months. Good luck :)
2007-03-19 02:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by Sue 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'VE BEEN A DENTIST FOR OVER A DECADE ALSO, AND I CAN CONCUR WITH DR. SAM.
DR. SAM IS COMPLETELY CORRECT. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF WHEN THAT THIS TOOTH WILL EVENTUALLY NEED A ROOT CANAL.
2007-03-19 02:23:31 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since the pain is only when you bite, it may possible that the temp is too tall. I come across that alot in our office.
2007-03-19 04:06:28 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋