Dentist happy with teeth !

[rogertb]

Hi chaps, I bit on a hard nut or something at Christmas, a big molar that had a crown fitted 20 or more years ago (I'm 70) there was a sharp pain and over the last few weeks the sensitivity has eased. I mentioned it to my dentist, he checked it out and x-rayed and says he can find nothing. I've been avoiding chewing (on the right side) but forgot yesterday and had a brief jolt of pain biting on something. What to do now, get a second opinion or avoid chewing on the right or start using 'sensitive' toothpaste ... any advice welcome (PS NB I have a limited budget).

 

[honestdoc]

I would keep that area under watch. The tooth may require a root canal. If it does, I suggest seeing a root canal specialist since your root canal is probably receded (calcified) and very difficult to access and locate through a crown. The root canal specialist will need an operating microscope to locate all the canals in your molar and properly clean, shape and fill down to the root tip.

 

[rogertb]

Thanks HD - really good of you, may I ask a couple of supplementaries, when you say "keep that area under watch" what should I keep a look-out for ? also the procedure sounds really complex and therefore expensive, I really don't think I could afford to go down that route (excuse the pun).

 

[honestdoc]

Intense pain and or swelling. Pain (everybody has different threshold) may indicate damaged root canal from irreversible inflammation. Swelling indicates infection from dead nerve. The less expensive option if those symptoms occurs is to extract the tooth rather than saving it.

 

[rogertb]

Thank you again honestdoc for your very helpful advice.