When I was 16, I got into a fight and the kid hit one of my front teeth and he knocked it back, I moved it back into place and never did anything else to it again. It got discolored than just stayed in place. I went to a dentist about a week after the fight and he told me that the tooth was dead by doing a test on it. Ever since then, I never did anything about the tooth. It has never bothered me ever, I just have no feeling in it what so ever. I heard that some dead teeth get infected? How would I know if anything is wrong with my dead tooth? What Should I do about this?
2007-07-19 15:08:17 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Is the tooth infected? Would I know if it was?
2007-07-19 15:24:40 · update #1
It sounds like the living nerve inside the tooth is dead as it was confirmed by a pulp test that the dentist did. In some cases this will cause an infection that causes pressure, pain or even an abcess, which is where the infection finds a way thru the gum and bone and drains out (like a pimple would). Since the nerve is dead you should feel no pain, but if you were getting pus or a bad taste that would indicate an active infection. This infection cannot be healed by your body, you will need to get rid of it by having a root canal.
My recommendation in treating the tooth would be to have root canal which is where the Dr removes the dead nerve and then fills the area with a putty like material. It shouldn't hurt since the nerve is dead. When the root canal is done it is often recommended to have a crown (cap) put on to hold the tooth together since it becomes brittle with out a nerve supplying blood to the tooth. When the crown is put on the tooth the tooth is shaved down a bit and then the crown is cemented over it. It usually takes 2 or 3 visits. The crown will be color matched to your other teeth, so if you are thinking of whitening do it before the crown is done.
Also to consider --- do you have insurance? If you do you might want to do the root canal this year and then the crown next year to maximize the use of your benefits (make them pay the most). Worst case scenario, the tooth breaks and you need to have it removed resulting in a partial, bridge or implant. These are all viable options but more costly and time consuming. Hope that helps!
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist
2007-07-19 16:35:20 · answer #1 · answered by jamrdh70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a non-vital or "dead tooth". Their is no way to predict whether it will cause an infection or not. If it does, it is a pain to deal with. The best option for you (depending on if you want to commit to treatment or not) is to have it extracted and have an implant placed.
An implant takes the place of a tooth. The 'root' part of the implant is titanium and the crown will be made of porcelin (white color material).
If you get an implant, your tooth will look better (esthetics) and you will not have to worry about getting an infection.
2007-07-19 15:44:07 · answer #2 · answered by katesull4 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well,you see.i had a rotten tooth for 4 years and i am 11.i went 2 the dentist 2 get it checked and i had a root canal on that tooth.A root canal it does not hurt but on my rooten tooth IT HURTS.They left a needle in my tooth for like 30 mintues.and i had tears in my eyes.They did numb it its just that it kinda felt like someones pinching you.Mine was not infeceted so maybe urs isnt either.But ever since i had the root canal i feel like my mouth is healthy.My tooth never bothered me.It felt just like my other teeth.But my dentist always said r u sure it hasnt been bothering you and i told them it hasnt.
so the best thing i would do is get it checked..I promise you ,you will be fine.
2007-07-19 15:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by ♥RachelRocks123♥ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I encourage them. If the mother cannot raise the child properly then she shouldn't keep it. And I know people argue that the unborn child could be the person that develops a cure for cancer or something but so could the mother that is forced to drop out of school to look after a child she never wanted. Also, you may be killing a living thing but so is crushing a bug or picking flowers and sometimes mothers die during labour.
2016-04-01 02:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's not bothering you you don't necessarily need to do anything about it. But it might not be a bad idea to talk to the dentist and ask this question.
2007-07-19 15:16:20 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the dentist thought it was OK then you should find somethng else to worry about.
2007-07-19 15:16:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
pull it. i think that i doesnt' hurt. I have had 5 teeth pulled and its practicaally painless, even without novicane!
2007-07-19 15:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I were you , I would get it pulled
2007-07-19 15:14:46 · answer #8 · answered by hakeemistheman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋