Questions for any PH dentists
Discussion
I hate to post up and ask for help/opinions, but I'm now getting to the point where I need someone's advice...
One of my front teeth has been painful for a couple of years now; maybe more. It is very sensitive to absolutely everything. Those couple of years ago, I went to two dentists about it.
The first dentist (NHS) said straight away without any x-rays that I need a root canal treatment. I was sceptical, because no x-ray was taken, so I went to another dentist.
The second dentist (private) said he thinks I grind my teeth in the night (I definitely do, because I'm always stressed out), so filed a bit off my sore front tooth, to see if reducing the impact would help. It didn't, so he then took some x-rays, and suggested I do in fact need root canal treatment - same outcome.
Now this is where I got scared off. The first dentist told me that the tooth would get so weak with RCT that I'd need a crown on my tooth, and there was absolutely no way I could undergo RCT without a crown afterwards. The second dentist said we'd try it without, and then put one on if required.
So I was left with two completely differing professional opinions. I'm not a dentist (obviously), so I have no idea which one I'm meant to trust; so I've left it. Add to this the fact that I really don't want a crown on my front tooth, it has totally put me off the dentist.
Anyway, this has all been brought to the forefront now because I have a dull aching pain in the left of my face... Seems I must have a problem with my teeth, because the pain hasn't gone away for 4-5 days now! All this has done is bring up a tonne of worry about all the other problems with my teeth, and so I'm hoping someone may just be able to help (or, as above, add a third opinion that will just confuse me more, of course)...
So, my questions are:
1. With the RCT, do I need to have a crown?
2. If I do need a crown, is there any way to get it look like a normal front tooth? I've seen people with black stuff at the top of the tooth, which I guess is where the crown is stuck on, and I just can't help but feel I would feel like I could never smile again if my tooth was like that.
3. If I have RCT on my front tooth, will I still have problems in the future, such as sensitiveness, weakness, etc?
4. My two front teeth appear to be losing a LOT of whiteness, and are going see-through. This is clearly a concern, but I'm guessing there's nothing I can do about this?
5. Whenever I go to the dentist, I need to have that 'deep clean', getting plaque off a few areas; mainly my bottom front teeth, at the back. These teeth are very gappy, and the feeling is horrible (very rough) once they've been cleaned, due to not being used to the gaps. Is there any way the gums can be brought back in line with the teeth to improve the situation? All that happens is slowly very small bits of food get caught again and it builds up again, but because it's so slow I don't realise it. I have to admit, I hate the feeling of the gaps, so am not entirely disappointed when it does build up (which I know is idiotic).
I wish I had taken better care of my teeth when I was younger, because I could have stopped all this pain. I'm surprised by my new pain on my left side, because I do try my best to brush my teeth very well every day (because I'm so worried of having to go to the dentist). I suppose one of my other worries is that dental work (especially with all my problems) has the potential to be horrendously expensive (even more especially I suppose because I'd like my teeth to continue looking nice, so you probably have to pay more for something better).
Well, there it is... All written down. I hope someone is able to help, because I can't keep on fearing the dentist.
One of my front teeth has been painful for a couple of years now; maybe more. It is very sensitive to absolutely everything. Those couple of years ago, I went to two dentists about it.
The first dentist (NHS) said straight away without any x-rays that I need a root canal treatment. I was sceptical, because no x-ray was taken, so I went to another dentist.
The second dentist (private) said he thinks I grind my teeth in the night (I definitely do, because I'm always stressed out), so filed a bit off my sore front tooth, to see if reducing the impact would help. It didn't, so he then took some x-rays, and suggested I do in fact need root canal treatment - same outcome.
Now this is where I got scared off. The first dentist told me that the tooth would get so weak with RCT that I'd need a crown on my tooth, and there was absolutely no way I could undergo RCT without a crown afterwards. The second dentist said we'd try it without, and then put one on if required.
So I was left with two completely differing professional opinions. I'm not a dentist (obviously), so I have no idea which one I'm meant to trust; so I've left it. Add to this the fact that I really don't want a crown on my front tooth, it has totally put me off the dentist.
Anyway, this has all been brought to the forefront now because I have a dull aching pain in the left of my face... Seems I must have a problem with my teeth, because the pain hasn't gone away for 4-5 days now! All this has done is bring up a tonne of worry about all the other problems with my teeth, and so I'm hoping someone may just be able to help (or, as above, add a third opinion that will just confuse me more, of course)...
So, my questions are:
1. With the RCT, do I need to have a crown?
2. If I do need a crown, is there any way to get it look like a normal front tooth? I've seen people with black stuff at the top of the tooth, which I guess is where the crown is stuck on, and I just can't help but feel I would feel like I could never smile again if my tooth was like that.
3. If I have RCT on my front tooth, will I still have problems in the future, such as sensitiveness, weakness, etc?
4. My two front teeth appear to be losing a LOT of whiteness, and are going see-through. This is clearly a concern, but I'm guessing there's nothing I can do about this?
5. Whenever I go to the dentist, I need to have that 'deep clean', getting plaque off a few areas; mainly my bottom front teeth, at the back. These teeth are very gappy, and the feeling is horrible (very rough) once they've been cleaned, due to not being used to the gaps. Is there any way the gums can be brought back in line with the teeth to improve the situation? All that happens is slowly very small bits of food get caught again and it builds up again, but because it's so slow I don't realise it. I have to admit, I hate the feeling of the gaps, so am not entirely disappointed when it does build up (which I know is idiotic).
I wish I had taken better care of my teeth when I was younger, because I could have stopped all this pain. I'm surprised by my new pain on my left side, because I do try my best to brush my teeth very well every day (because I'm so worried of having to go to the dentist). I suppose one of my other worries is that dental work (especially with all my problems) has the potential to be horrendously expensive (even more especially I suppose because I'd like my teeth to continue looking nice, so you probably have to pay more for something better).
Well, there it is... All written down. I hope someone is able to help, because I can't keep on fearing the dentist.
kidding!
1. ask NHS dentist if can do without crown due to expense. Will take consequences if tooth breaks. If no others fillings in tooth then the hole for the RCT is quite small and shouldnt reduce the integrity of structure.
2..some new crowns have no metal under thus removing that black line effect. But can cost a lot.
3..if good RCT answer is no...shouldnt give any probs..but syill slight chance.
4..could be due to erosion/attrition..maybe reduce your acid intake...sugary drinks and cider!
5..deep clean essential to save teeth. dirt release toxins which eat away the supporting boen whcih leads to loose teeth and thus dentures!!!
1. ask NHS dentist if can do without crown due to expense. Will take consequences if tooth breaks. If no others fillings in tooth then the hole for the RCT is quite small and shouldnt reduce the integrity of structure.
2..some new crowns have no metal under thus removing that black line effect. But can cost a lot.
3..if good RCT answer is no...shouldnt give any probs..but syill slight chance.
4..could be due to erosion/attrition..maybe reduce your acid intake...sugary drinks and cider!
5..deep clean essential to save teeth. dirt release toxins which eat away the supporting boen whcih leads to loose teeth and thus dentures!!!
Having RCT on the tooth will leave it more brittle, but as long as there are no other cavities or fillings in the tooth, a crown is generally not needed.
After the RCT is done, you may notice the colour of the tooth changing (It may have already due to the pulp dying)
If an anterior crown is needed, I leave the shade taking to the lab and they can match the shade very well. All ceramic crowns would not give a dark line at the gum level.
Lack of flossing will cause the plaque and then tartar to build up between your bottom teeth. If you keep allowing the stuff to build up, the gaps will get bigger as the support for the teeth becomes reduced. Eventually the teeth will start to loosen if you do nothing to maintain their cleanliness.
After the RCT is done, you may notice the colour of the tooth changing (It may have already due to the pulp dying)
If an anterior crown is needed, I leave the shade taking to the lab and they can match the shade very well. All ceramic crowns would not give a dark line at the gum level.
Lack of flossing will cause the plaque and then tartar to build up between your bottom teeth. If you keep allowing the stuff to build up, the gaps will get bigger as the support for the teeth becomes reduced. Eventually the teeth will start to loosen if you do nothing to maintain their cleanliness.
Rollin said:
Having RCT on the tooth will leave it more brittle, but as long as there are no other cavities or fillings in the tooth, a crown is generally not needed.
After the RCT is done, you may notice the colour of the tooth changing (It may have already due to the pulp dying)
If an anterior crown is needed, I leave the shade taking to the lab and they can match the shade very well. All ceramic crowns would not give a dark line at the gum level.
Lack of flossing will cause the plaque and then tartar to build up between your bottom teeth. If you keep allowing the stuff to build up, the gaps will get bigger as the support for the teeth becomes reduced. Eventually the teeth will start to loosen if you do nothing to maintain their cleanliness.
Thank you both for your help.After the RCT is done, you may notice the colour of the tooth changing (It may have already due to the pulp dying)
If an anterior crown is needed, I leave the shade taking to the lab and they can match the shade very well. All ceramic crowns would not give a dark line at the gum level.
Lack of flossing will cause the plaque and then tartar to build up between your bottom teeth. If you keep allowing the stuff to build up, the gaps will get bigger as the support for the teeth becomes reduced. Eventually the teeth will start to loosen if you do nothing to maintain their cleanliness.
Can I follow that up with some more questions?
You say the colour of the tooth will change. Is there any way to prevent this, or is this a slow process? I want to keep my nice looking teeth, and this is very important to me. You're right, the colour has changed slightly (more grey), though not too noticeable yet... to me, anyway. I've asked my partner, and she says she doesn't notice either.
Is it common for plaque to build up behind the bottom teeth, or am I just a freak? I can't seem to prevent it.
I've got no other work on that tooth, so I guess I may be OK without a crown from what you've said, but you've also said it'll make it more brittle... Does that mean I'd need to be careful biting into things? (I don't bite using that tooth at the moment anyway due to the pain) - It's just one of my nightmares, that my front tooth breaks.
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