Dental Woes

[colcolt]

I'm all for second opinions, make no mistake. They did show me the two x-rays of that one tooth and the two on the opposite sides. He showed me where the abscess was and the extent and also the problem with the other one. He took a small round mirror and held in inside my mouth so I could see the back side that you never see, and told me to look at the tooth next to the one that broke off. You could see a darkened area just barely above gum line and said that one sooner or later was going to cause the same problem this one id that broke off last night. How long that would take is anyone's guess. What happened last night was a shocker as I didn't even know it had broken until I chomped down on something hard which turned out to be the tooth. Even now there's no pain like you would think.
I don't know. You're kind of left with your head spinning as to what you should really do and the aftermath. I don't know what wold happen if I went with the temporary bridge as it would just be masking the missing tooth(all but what's below gum line)which is abscessed as is the one next to it. I'm in no pain.

 

[baronsamedi]

Like doc said. Get a second opinion, but get that abcess treated! You don't want to mess with a runaway abcess.

 

[colcolt]

The strange thing to me is that nothing hurts and there's no swelling or bumps on the gum line like you'd think with an abscess nor any fever. That's what I associated an abscess with and there's none of those symptoms. The tooth just looks dark and rotten to me where it broke off.
I guess this is more tooth related than gum related abscess as the nerve must be dead.

 

[lankfordjl]

The amazing thing is that you are in no pain. I'd definitely get a different opinion before shelling out a lot on a procedure. If it is an infection, then you need to get it cleared up as soon as possible. The infection can spread into your mandible.
@photoman

I don't trust doctors. I've had too much experience with ignorance in the medical field, so I take care of myself as much as possible. (Yet truly, I have had a couple of good experiences.) A doctor is not a miracle worker, but an advisor. Though today, I equate many of them to "used car dealers". If a doctor does what I tell him to do, I consider him acceptable. If a doctor can truly explain a medical problem and come up with a "no nonsense" solution, then he's "good". Many medical doctors give patients the "run around", having them take tons of unnecessary tests; then never come to a conclusion about a problem. And then want to prescribe every new drug in the book. Doctors only have about a month of pharmacy in med-school! They should not even be prescribing medicine in the first place!!! So many of today’s doctors are just selling procedures and peddling drugs. Ugh! Now I’m ranting; sorry.

 

[photoman13]

I understand not trusting doctors. It is good to not fully trust someone but going for regular cleaning especially when smoking is more preventative. In colcolt case a dentist is needed surely.

 

[daytonsean]

Ive had several teeth broken and knocked out from playing hockey in high school. Had all of my impacted wisdom teeth cut out of my jaw bone too. Biggest thing to worry about is that infection. The missing teeth just build character.

 

[fshu2]

wow man as someone who obsesses over his teeth that would freak the hell out of me. good luck sir.

 

[photoman13]

What exactly does impacted mean. They said all four of mine are.

 

[colcolt]

I've had a few doctors I trusted implicitly-my vascular doc has saved my leg and possible my life twice. On the other hand, I've had some that bordered on being total screwballs calling their hand on several occasions. Without trust what have you got when you're on the operating table getting ready to go nite-nite and hopefully wake up in the recovery room all better. There are good, knowledgeable ones and there are some I wouldn't take my dog to see.
plhotoman-This says it better than me.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001057.htm

 

[lankfordjl]

@colcolt

There are good, knowledgeable ones and there are some I wouldn't take my dog to see.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[daytonsean]

Impacted means they arent growing towards your gum line. They will eventually grow into your other roots, causing damage and decay. I got mine done way way early to avoid that stuff. Luckily they put me to sleep before they cut my jaw out. But, i ate mashed potatoes for five days after that. Which is why i hate anything potato now.

 

[photoman13]

Well sucks for me I suppose. I'll let you guys know how it goes when I'm done.

 

[daytonsean]

Trust me its gonna suck.

 

[colcolt]

photoman-maybe we just need to get some uppers and lowers and don't deal with all the pain and expense of a dentist anymore...yeah, that's the ticket. I'm halfway there, just need to get the bottom ones taken care of.

 

[photoman13]

ha ha I might do that later in life.

 

[numbersix]

Very sorry to hear colcolt - I hope it all works out for you and you'll keep us posted.

 

[nsfisher]

I am not much up on Dental as I have only been there for an examine and then a Biopsy. I do however wish you luck mate and hope all turns out well for you.

 

[dochudson]

you might want to double check but if your Doc refers you to an oral surgeon (an MD) and they do it in the hosp because of your blood thinner problem medicare will probably cover it. hate to say it but if you already have an upper and this will put you at least 3 teeth short on the lower you may be ahead just to go for a lower plate and be done with it.

 

[sparroa]

I had one of my left molars extracted last year after an abscess and I need something done with one of my right molars because it cracked and is irritating the side of my cheek. The costs are insane so it'll probably be another extraction. It's too bad but I won't cry over it.
Colcolt, you are in a tough situation - I wish you the best of luck. Whatever happens, watch out for your health and don't worry too much about cosmetics or inconvenience as far as a lower plate goes. I'll be rooting for you! Warfarin and blood thinners are rough, I hope they can find a solution that will take care of your dental troubles and preserve your health at the same time.

 

[colcolt]

I've still made no decision as yet. I tried to contact my doc's nurse as you seldom will get to him personally but,both of them were in surgery. She finally called later and I told her what the dentist told me about the extraction. She was going to consult with the doc and get back with me but I leave work about 3:15 since I get there real early and didn't hear back at that point.
I'm leaning toward maybe the bridge rather than the other route as I don't want to gamble with getting off the blood thinners. It's just too risky for me unless they know something I don't and come up with a plan. Had I still been with BCBS they would have paid 80% of this but when you hit 65 you don't have an option. You have to go on Medicare and they don't cover it.
One good thing about Plavix is now they make a generic and a 90 day supply now cost me $20 instead of $80. If I had no insurance at all or no supplement with Medicare Plavix is most expensive...about $500-600 for a 90 day supply. It's a big racket.