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Mmmmm. It sounds as though the nerve is hyper-sensitive ATM, which is probably due to a crack. Given that you're experiencing hot sensitivity it tells us that the nerve is not happy. If left unresolved the nerve WILL die. I personally am a big believer in sedative dressings, and think that it would be well worth doing in your case. If a sedative dressing doesn't settle the tooth down, then you know you have no other option. But so, so often, if the right material is used, the dressing settles the tooth enough to then have another filling placed. It's helpful if the dentist can work out which cusp is taking the load of the crack, and remove that cusp when placing the dressing. Has your dentist got you to bite on a stick thing, and got you to tell them where exactly it's uncomfortable? It can be very difficult to detect where exactly cracks are positioned, and they are not visible on x-rays.
It sounds like one of those situations where a crown alone (or possibly an overlay filling) would probably fix the problem. However, given that the nerve is so touchy now, no one is going to want to put a crown on in case the nerve gives up the ghost. That's where a dressing can help, to let you know if the nerve is redeemable :). TBH, given that this tooth may have some life in it yet, there is no way I'd just be pulling it out. Yes, it's touch and go, but you might even be able to get away without RCT! So exo seems quite extreme.
Yes, you do need a referral for an endodontist, and it should be claimable on your PHI extras (although you might want to check that). Endos are expensive (what isn't?) so I hope you can claim it LOL!
If you are noticing wear on your teeth, you are likely grinding or clenching your teeth. You can talk to your dentist about having a splint made to wear at night to prevent further wear, this is something that is really commonly done.
As for all the first molars breaking down at similar times, that is because they are teeth that we have from when we're 6! So they're expected to last a very long time. If they are all filled at a similar age, chances are they will break down at the same time too. It is so, so common to see this, we get it all the time. Fillings have a finite life, they do not last forever, and if you've gotten this long out of them, they've done pretty well!!! Unfortunately, you are probably right, if you want to save them you could be up for a bit of dental treatment. Again, a splint can help reduce the wear and tear on these teeth.
Those bl00dy dental vans have alot to answer for hey!!!!!! :rofl:
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You will need a referral and you should be able to claim any treatment on PHI, not sure about the actual consult though. If you still have pain from it, the root probably hasn't died completely yet but it could just be a crack in the tooth as well - they are sooo hard to see on an x-ray. A full RCT with a porcelain crown at the end of it can be very exxie, but I personally would rather that instead of an implant as I don't fancy someone drilling titanium rods into my jawbone LOL. Another alternative seeing as how it is at the back is to have it pulled and then have a bridge put in to replace it. As time goes on crowns will need replacing so it can be a costly avenue to go down too in the long run. And as was said earlier, having it pulled will mean that over time the tooth above it will descend into the gap, causing more troubles or the molar behind it will move forward etc. I need my top two wisdom teeth pulled as they are starting to descend into the gaps the bottom ones left and it gives me grief from time to time.
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An off shoot question -
If someone in this situation had their molar pulled; but already had all four wisdom teeth, would the wisdom tooth behind the molar move forward to take its place? Or would you get movement issues from all the back teeth?
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More likely the latter Anna, sorry :(
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i have had a tooth pulled and had root canal(different teeth)
the reason i went for the root canal was because the cost of an implant was HUGE and PHI would only cover a little bit of it..
but i seem to have crappy teeth(they look good from outside) im considering having another molar removed because its on its 5th filling and it keeps falling out...gggrr
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Um, doudou, has your dentist suggested any reasons WHY the filling keeps coming out? How long does it last between breaking?
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ok this is going to sound like i'm trying to pimp this guy, but he really just is this good.
i absolutely hate dentist visits (and i'm getting worse every time i go, two bad trips in as many days this week) and this guy is the only one i trust not to butcher my mouth.
I had a _really_ bad tooth (first of two, actually), hot pulp, i tried to get it removed by a normal dentist but they failed to get it (hot pulps are really really hard to get numb)
BUT.
there is an endodontist in Canterbury/Camberwell by the name of Mathew Filei who is nothing short of brilliant. he even does lectures and stuff on root-canal surgery at conferences.
I had to get the nerve removed, xrays, temporary filling, temporary metal crown which cost $600.
second visit (which can be split into two visits sometimes to keep costs down) was a killer cost-wise but they did it all in one go for $1700.
had i gotten it taken out it would have been ~$500 to $700 to get it out, and then a real implant that would last would be in the $4k mark.
i am really really really scared of dentists and suffer huge anxiety in there, but this guy is utterly brilliant.
you can get a referral from a normal dentist to him, it can take a little time to get in to see him but it's well worth it (not like the oral surgeon i went to today who i ended up leaving in tears from without even getting the wisdom tooth out)
i was told mine was un-saveable but it looks very much like this one will last, and even if the infection at the base of the root isnt totally gone, they now can cut in and suck all the crap out from the base of the root and save the tooth anyway.
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Yep, Matt is awesome :D. I have worked for many dentists who refer to him.
And in case anyone is interested in implants, the last time I hears $4k quoted for one was probably 10 years ago!!! They're more like $6k now :rolleyes: depending on who does it for you.
