Posted on 01/24/2012 12:31:12 PM PST by Gamecock
Edited on 01/24/2012 1:17:54 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
I too have some pockets, in my molars. Which makes sense since I use them mostly for chewing.
Instead of using a hygenist, go to a gum specialist....and see ONLY him. It may cost a tad bit more (I use him instead of a hygenist because I need sweet air just to sit in that damn chair).
A hygenist can take advantage just as any other profession. Don't get depressed.....get a second opinion.
Seems the dentist I saw in Florida left the files used in each of the three roots in the canal and cemented them in instead of the stainless steel posts he had to use. I had him give me these as a “souvenir” and they're sitting here beside me.
My current dentist saw something that just didn't look right and although it cost me almost $2500, I'm glad I had him fix it the correct way as I was starting to get an infection at the bottom of one of those roots.
It's a good thing I don't live in Florida anymore as I'd have an interesting conversation with my old dentist.
Following the placement of the gutta percha and the temporary filling, I saw the x-ray and a small portion of the gutta percha seems to have made it beyond the tooth and iscrimped over as if it went out the end of the hollowed root. Is this a problem I should be dealing with when the permanent filling is placed tomorrow? It is a lower tooth (#19 if memory serves). I am having zero pain now with it, since it dried out.
From what you describe, it’s sounds like a perforation. I would ask your doctor about it.
Sometimes a perforation does not cause a problem in the beginning, but causes major problems in the future.
If I were you, just “play dumb”, google some info about perforation and bring it into the doctor.
Although, sometimes roots are quite odd and it could be nothing. Did you have any bleeding during the procedure?
Will the permanent filling be applied over the gutta percha, or will he try to pull the percha and insert steel pins? The root canal was done down through a gold crown which is pretty much being left in place.
2300 seems pretty high, although I didn’t get any 3D xrays.
IIRC, it was about $800 for one tooth and about $300 out of pocket after insurance. It may depend on the part of the country you live in.
Although, I do agree on the you get what you pay for. Too many people try to cheap out on important things so they can buy expensive coffee instead of good health care.
The only kink I could think of is an apico...which acts like a plug at the end of a canal. But that usually hapens after an rct goes wrong, or if there is a problem, and they do it through your gum.
The gutta percha is what is filled into the now “empty” canals, where the nerves and pulp used to be. If you need a post, they do not remove all the gutta percha, only where the post is placed. That now acts as your “barrier”.
They may remove some of it, to place the post for the crown. Did your general dentist do the rct or a specialist?
This just hit me. Why the need for a plug if there was no bleeding? If there was no perforation, why the need for a plug to “act as a plug to prevent anything entering back up into the canal!”?
I don’t know! The RCT was done by my general dentistry dentist. I’m gonna do some reding this evening and perhaps have questions for him tomorrow.
I don’t know! The RCT was done by my general dentistry dentist. I’m gonna do some reading this evening and perhaps have questions for him tomorrow.
Heh! Yep, that’s more appropriate.
To: brickdds
“1.Oral surgeons do not perform root canals, only Endodontists and General Dentists.”
Regardless of his title, he’s the guy that performed my root canal.
***** If an Oral Surgeon does a root canal they are practicing beyond the scope of their practice and subject to sanction by their state board. There is a reason they advertise their “practice limited to oral/maxillofacial surgery”
“2.A panorex is not considered of diagnostic quality for evaluation of root canals, only a periapical radiograph.”
I didn’t get the panorex to evaluate my root canal. I got it so my remains could be identified in the event of a fiery airplane or helicopter crash.
*****Regardless, a dentist relies on a periapical film as standard of care in evaluating quality of root canals as a panorex does not provide sufficient detail.
Not nitpicking here just need to set the record straight.
LOL...the whole point of my original post was simply to point out that:
1. I had an extensive root canal performed. (Frankly, I don't care if the guy's title was "medieval barber." It was irrelevant to the point of my post)
2. I received a panorex that allowed me to see the extent and precision of said work.
3. I marvelled at it.
Those were my points. There's no need to set any record straight unless you're avering that I didn't have the root canal, I didn't get the X-ray or that I didn't marvel at them.
You may be technically correct in your "corrections" but they are neither salient, relevant or materiel to the point of my post...
Keep me updated, please. Does your gd use digital xrays? If so, ask the office to email you (jpeg form)a copy of your xrays.
Not nitpicking here just need to set the record straight.”
LOL...the whole point of my original post was simply to point out that:
1. I had an extensive root canal performed. (Frankly, I don’t care if the guy’s title was “medieval barber.” It was irrelevant to the point of my post)
2. I received a panorex that allowed me to see the extent and precision of said work.
3. I marvelled at it.
Those were my points. There’s no need to set any record straight unless you’re avering that I didn’t have the root canal, I didn’t get the X-ray or that I didn’t marvel at them.
You may be technically correct in your “corrections” but they are neither salient, relevant or materiel to the point of my post...
No need to get all upset.
It may be a bunch of meaningless technical gobbledygook to you. I was simply trying to eliminate any source of confusion regarding what was said. Hopefully it is helpful to someone else.
Had the permanent filling put in today. What I saw in the x-ray was cement not gutta percha. The dentist whowed me the difference on the x-ray. Also had a ‘build up’ for a crown. I was billed $825 for the root canal, total. The build up and crown will be much more.
Cement, not gutta percha? If he has digital xrays, please ask for a copy. Cement is only used for cementing a crown to a tooth.
I have NEVER heard of cement instead of gutta percha (unless he used the term cement instead of IRM) . Not to alarm you, but most gd’s SHOULD NOT be doing rcts.
He used both ‘cement’ and gutta percha.
Cement is not a usual compound used unless something happened.
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