eibbil_libbie | Fun with Dental Work (Reply)

History:

May 2011 - anniversary dinner with husband, half of left rear molar cracks off. Go to dentist, get crown on broken tooth. One day later, back at dentist in excruciating pain. Bite adjusted, pain lessens.

June 2011 - get permanent crown put in. Excruciating pain again. Four appointments to adjust bite. Finally get that settled, but still painful and can't chew anything on that side. Dentist who did crown so bad a novocaine I actually cry when he numbs area.

November 2011 - cleaning. mention pain on left side to dentist who did crown, using ambesol all day to cope with the pain, told it's just sensitive.

May 2012 - Another cleaning, get different dentist who takes one look at the crown and says "there's a gap between the gum and the crown, that's where pain is coming from. Dentist has to refer me to one of the partners to get crown redone.

May 2012 - Meet with partner who assures me it's not the crown, gives me prescription sensitive teeth toothpaste.

In between all of these visits I got through bouts of mouth pain that have me carrying tubes of anbesol with me wherever I go, or clenching my teeth to the point of pain. Starting to wear a mouthgard at night, and sometimes during the day to break the cycle. In other words, for 18 months, I haven't ever had a full day without some sort of mouth pain.

Today was my cleaning and while I went through the history with the dentist, she said there were signs the nerve under the molar was dying, said a root canal would do the trick (I'm not fussed, I've had four so far.) Then she looks in my mouth and pokes around. Within two minutes, she's telling me I need to consult with the one of the partners to confirm the need for a root canal and replacing the crown because "it's not right."

I turned to look at her and said "I really don't need another appointment where I'm told its fine and I get prescription toothpaste." She assured me that I was seeing the other partner and that wouldn't happen.

So here's hoping.

I just want to have no pain on the left side of my mouth. I want to be able to chew there.

And next time I want a hygienist that flosses my teeth...not rapes my gums.