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Periodontist Said I Need Root Canal

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idiopathic12

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 24
Location: california
Periodontist Said I Need Root Canal
Posted: 08-05-07 15:46pm

About 2 or 3 weeks ago I developed a little bump on my inside lower right gum. Last Wednesday, on my 3-month cleaning, after examining it and taking ex-rays, my hygeinist confirmed it was an abscess and that the pocket nearest to it went from a 3 to a 7 mm, and was bleeding on probing. (There was no visible bleeding when I brushed).

My periodontist looked at it and told me I needed a root canal. I've made arrangements for a dentist to examine it and I suppose I'll have it done, as I don't know what else to do about it. It doesn't really hurt, but it makes me uncomfortable to feel it, and I understand it has germs that will accelerate my bone loss, besides being toxic to my body.

What I don't understand is how having a root canal will help this. They remove the root which is the source of tooth pain---which, as I've said, I barely have, if any---but will it get rid of the abscess? Will it prevent another abcess? The absence of a nerve doesn't eliminate the conditions that led to the abscess in the first place, does it? Also, I've heard so many horror stories about how bad root canals turned out.

I take excellent care of my teeth now, and all my others were so clean and my gums so healthy that my hygeniest put me on a 4-month cleaning schedual.

I know---if anybody answers this---you'll say, "Go get a second opinion!". But that takes a lot of time and often they ask for big consultation fees. I don't have the money for it, nor can I take so much time off work. Besides, my experience is that they're not all that different.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated.
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Tmddyan

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Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Posts: 4349
Location: post falls, id usa
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Posted: 08-06-07 12:38pm

my opinion is that if its not bothering you let it be and take care of it when it does bother you. yes second opinions are always good but if you know that the dentist you have is good i wouldnt bother. if you feel it should be taken care of now rather than later go ahead. sometimes getting things taken care of earlier is better than later.
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