cooeee, is there a dentist in the house?

[piratecat]

Hi,

I have had pain in my back upper molar for a few days, (but it has niggled a few months ago). Visited dentist today, tooth is dead, lots of fillings in it, and infected in gum.

Have been given metronidazole 400mg 3x a day for 7 days. I am allergic to penicillin.

My dilemma is this, i am going abroad for two weeks a week friday and there is no time to do a root canal before this.

I could have it removed, it is up to me. This could be done before I go away. The tooth (aprt from the fillings) is ok.

Dentist suggested the pain would prob go, with the anit biotics and i would be ok on hols. BUT what if I'm not.

so to summize,

extract tooth next week.
go away and pray it doesn't re infect and have root canal on return.

i have to ring them to book something, based on my decision. I really don't know what would be best. Oh there is a gap in front of this tooth, where i had an extraction some yrs ago. ooh i sound lovely don't I!

tia x

I had root canal a few years ago and the tooth is coming out next month. There is still some root in there and the tooth has niggled for years so I've got to get over my fear of needles and have it out.

thankyou for your replies.

i had a root canal about 20 years ago which hasn't bothered me since.

dentist said the tooth is ok apart from erm the nerve is dead and the surrounding bone is degenerating.
which doesn't give it alot of hope long term does it!?

if i could ensure it would behave till after my holiday it i wouldn't have to make a decision too hastily.

bump

hopeful bump

I am happy with the root canal treatment I have had, and very glad I didn't have an extraction. You may need further antibiotics on your return before canal work.

i think id be ok with trying root canal if the trip wasn't happening.
my dentist said th anti biotics would clear the pain enough for me to go but if they don't what then.
getting rid of the tooth ie the problem seems attractive.
bah really hurts alot more today.

I'm not a dentist but I cab=n see why an extraction is attractive. You could have the extraction now and be healed by the time you go on holiday.

Before I had my root canal treatment my dentist opened up my tooth, cleared out the pulp cavity, inserted an antiobiotic/steroid paste, then put a temporary filling on top to calm the infection for two weeks before attempting the root canal work.

Of course every case is different and I am not an expert. you could speak to your dentist again- perhaps if the pain does not subside in a few days you could consider extraction.

combust22 that sounds like a good compromise. in two stages. thanks.