Abscess, want to keep my nerve...

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ironman - 08 Dec 2008 07:00 GMT

Have a tooth (#29, lower right molar two from the back, no wisdom
tooth, one root) that has an abscess at the tip of the root based on
the x-ray. The tooth has a crown on it already and the tooth is not
sensitive to cold, hot or sweets. I am an Orthodox Christian and eat a
Orthodox restricted diet. I am on an antibiotic now for 6 days and
have 4 more days to go. I have seen my dentist and of course
recommends a root canal. Asked how I can possibly keep my nerve and no
discussion ensued except he referred me and asked me to ask this
question to the endodontist. Is it possible to drain the abscess,
which is causing me no pain and or swelling? Is there some way or
under some reasonable conditions or is there a possibility that the
abscess will drain itself out under the antibiotic? If it would flare
up in the future I would then think that I would undergo the root
canal, but it I'd like to give it a chance to heal naturally. I'd
really like to give it a shot.

I love my teeth, I want to keep all the roots and nerves if at all
possible. I have all roots and nerves to date, am 51 years old. I am
active as a runner, triathlete and tennis player. If there is any
chance that my nerve could be ok and not dying and could possibly
repair itself and heal (as I have been told that nerves can do) I
would like to wait and not have the root canal and give it a chance. I
am not sure that there is any damage to the nerve? Nobody has said
that there is. I have no fears of Dentists, that is not within my
reasoning. I love everyone that helps me keep my roots and nerves.

If all a dentist can do is recommend a root canal and is morally bound
to do so for whatever reason, that is fine. I am just looking for
options, like any treatment that could possibly help save my nerve, or
heal it if necessary, and drain the abscess.

One other item. When I went to my MD and got the prescription she told
me that I could put a warm compresses on the area to help it drain out
more quickly. I asked my dentist and he kind of chuckled and didn't
say its ok to do it or not. Any pros and cons for the warm compress? I
also have an infrared massager that can be on infrared only. Would
infrared be any better or worse than a warm compress?

All advice is welcomed.

Thank you,
Chris

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 08 Dec 2008 15:36 GMT

> Have a tooth (#29, lower right molar two from the back, no wisdom
> tooth, one root) that has an abscess at the tip of the root based on
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> Thank you,
> Chris

    If an infection is demonstrable on x-ray, it's too late for the pulp.
Your medically acceptable options are root canal (probably followed by a
crown) or an extraction.
    Warm saline rinses will be better to achieve drainage than a warm
compress, but often these things go quiescent and do not
drain--particularly as you are healthy and fit. It may have acute
flareups however at any time.
    Tooth number 29 is a premolar, and usually (but not always) has a
single canal. It may be possible to treat through the crown, and if the
opening is small it can sometimes be closed with a small filling and
spare your old crown. If there is insufficient tooth structure left to
retain the crown it may need to be re-done. This is a clinical judgment.

Steve

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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Dartos - 08 Dec 2008 16:00 GMT

*IF* there is true radiological evidence of infection around the
root of this tooth, the nerve is likely already dead, and certainly
not salvagable.

This tooth would need a root canal or an extraction. End of story.

Pulp tissue within a tooth does not regenerate and heal well from
significant injury. There is then a space with dead tissue ripe
for infection. The infection will never be healed without getting
rid of its 'home base' (endo or extraction).

D

> If all a dentist can do is recommend a root canal and is morally bound
> to do so for whatever reason, that is fine. I am just looking for
> options, like any treatment that could possibly help save my nerve, or
> heal it if necessary, and drain the abscess.

> All advice is welcomed.
>
> Thank you,
> Chris

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