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Original poster

Dental advice needed. Please help!!

32 replies

G123454321 · 21/12/2021 17:08

Hi all. I went to see my dentist as an emergency for throbbing pain today. My first molar has a very deep filling which has worn down. I thought that was the cause.

She recommended I have that extracted which is booked for Xmas eve. Xmas ruined!

When she did X-ray she noted that I have a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth but said nothing else about it.
I’ve been given antibiotics to clear any infection but I’m concerned that pulling this first molar isn’t the best thing to do and that it’s the impacted wisdom tooth causing the pain.

I really don’t want an extraction of the wrong tooth the day before Xmas but it was a 2 month wait.
I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
LegoPandemic · 21/12/2021 17:17

Is your first molar painful if you tap hard on it (tender to percussion?).

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 17:31

Yes but so does the molar behind it. She did an X-ray and said no infection in the roots. But on antibiotics for infection in the gums.

She only said in passing oh you’re wisdom tooth is impacted but then told me to take the antibiotics and choose root canal or extraction for the molar.

Since reading more on impacted wisdom teeth I’m worried it’s that causing my pain.
Do I extract Xmas eve when it might not be that, or ask to be referred for the wisdom tooth knowing I’ll have a long wait in agony. 🤦🏻‍♀️ ffs.

OP posts:
OneTC · 21/12/2021 17:37

I'd see if addressing the infection sorts the worst of the pain and reschedule the extraction until after Christmas

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 18:10

By Friday I will have had 5 days worth.
I’ve just been poking around in my mouth and further back behind my molars, on my inside jaw is a hard and very painful lump. If I pushed on it enough I think something would come through.
That’s got to be the wisdom tooth. That area is so much more painful to touch. Not noticed it before as I can’t reach it with my tongue.

OP posts:
Cupcakeschocolate · 21/12/2021 18:19

Why not do the root canal.

Theoldcuriosityshop · 21/12/2021 18:43

I'd have it out, you don't want to be in pain over Christmas. I didn't have any trouble having my wisdom tooth out, it was a relief, just stock up with painkillers if you need them. Just remember to eat on the opposite side Smile

RobinHumphries · 21/12/2021 18:49

Is your wisdom tooth poking through the gum? If not it’s very unlikely to be causing the problem and it’s more likely due to the tooth with the deep filling.

teethtroubles · 21/12/2021 19:29

No advice to offer unfortunately, but just here to commiserate. I'm waiting on an emergency dental appointment tomorrow after recent dental work seems to have gone wrong. I am absolutely dreading it as I know it will mean root canal or extraction. Either just before Christmas which will be crap, or after, which will be equally crap as I'll be in pain and nervously waiting all through the holidays. Sorry @G123454321, you're not alone Flowers.

MWNA · 21/12/2021 19:33

Xmas won't be ruined by an extraction!
Often they're very straightforward with little pain or swelling the day after. The socket will start to close quickly, pain will likely be minimal. I've had many teeth extracted. You're going to be ok.

Maelstrom23 · 21/12/2021 20:15

@RobinHumphries

Is your wisdom tooth poking through the gum? If not it’s very unlikely to be causing the problem and it’s more likely due to the tooth with the deep filling.
^ This
GoodHairDay86 · 21/12/2021 20:38

I had my molar removed to 'make space' for my impacted wisdom tooth to come through and it did but was so bent I couldn't brush or floss properly and now has to be removed too as the initial decay was hidden from my view and there was no pain. So no if I could go back I wouldn't remove the molar I would as for wisdom tooth extraction!

Newmummyinlockdown · 21/12/2021 20:43

Impacted wisdom teeth rarely cause pain. It’s only when they cause decay/infection due to the position of the impaction on adjacent teeth, or are partially erupted causing pressure on the gum. It sounds like an incidental finding on an X-ray. No need to worry about it. Although ‘impacted’ sounds like a scary word, it’s just a word to describe a tooth that hasn’t come through.

If you have a molar with very deep decay, enough to warrant a root canal or extraction - that is the cause of the pain.

You will be fine after the extraction. Make sure your dentist numbs you up well. Take paracetamol and Ibuprofen for 24 hours after (and before if you like), and don’t rinse out your mouth for 24 hours (toothbrushing carefully in that area). X

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 20:44

There’s no tooth pushing through the gum but I think that is what I can feel at the back of my jaw.
The wisdom tooth is horizontally impacted and pushing into the back molar root.

The tooth she wants to root canal or extract is the front molar.
I’m not convinced that is the problem one. My jaw aches into my ear and eye, my gums are swollen all over on that side and I keep getting infections behind the last molar.

OP posts:
Newmummyinlockdown · 21/12/2021 20:44

@GoodHairDay86

I had my molar removed to 'make space' for my impacted wisdom tooth to come through and it did but was so bent I couldn't brush or floss properly and now has to be removed too as the initial decay was hidden from my view and there was no pain. So no if I could go back I wouldn't remove the molar I would as for wisdom tooth extraction!
In the OPs case, removing a healthy impacted wisdom tooth over a grossly decayed adjacent molar would not be advised. X
thefirstmrsrochester · 21/12/2021 20:49

Hi OP, you could ask for this thread to be moved to general health, couple of dentists on that board who would probably be very well placed to give you advice xxx

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 20:49

Sorry to hear you’re having similar pain teethtroubles.

The molar isn’t decayed. It has a filling that is only separated from the nerve by a liner. The X-ray showed no pockets of infection or signs of further decay in that tooth.

I feel like if I do the molar extraction I could end up in just the same state I am in now. If I refuse the extraction I know that I’ll have to wait months for another appt.

OP posts:
Elieza · 21/12/2021 20:50

I’m not an expert. Just guessing that:

If you get the root canal and it works then you know it was that tooth.

If it doesn’t work then you know it’s the wisdom tooth and can get it sorted.

Would that not be an option - or is it the cost (root treatment cost hundreds, extraction under twenty quid).

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 20:51

@thefirstmrsrochester

Hi OP, you could ask for this thread to be moved to general health, couple of dentists on that board who would probably be very well placed to give you advice xxx
How do I do that? New here. X
OP posts:
Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 20:54

@Elieza

I’m not an expert. Just guessing that:

If you get the root canal and it works then you know it was that tooth.

If it doesn’t work then you know it’s the wisdom tooth and can get it sorted.

Would that not be an option - or is it the cost (root treatment cost hundreds, extraction under twenty quid).

I’d rather save the money to put towards private if I need a surgical extraction on the wisdom tooth that’s impacted. I can’t wait months for that. Extraction is one appt on the molar instead of several with root canal.
OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 21/12/2021 20:54

I had an extraction a few years back - I tense pain when drugs wore off but only lasted an hour. Then no trouble. Also lost a tooth last week having waited weeks and not really able to eat. Now for implant business in the new year. I officially hate teeth and they so often flare up at awkward times. Just wishing you good luck with whatever decision you make.

Hibiscusroses · 21/12/2021 20:58

@MrsMorton can you help?

Batshittery · 21/12/2021 21:03

@G123454321
On the blue bar at the top of your post is a section that says Report. Click on that and ask Mumsnet to move the thread for you

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 21:45

I’ve had multiple extractions in the past so the molar being pulled isn’t too much of a big deal if it will fix the pain, would have preferred after Xmas day! But I’m leaning towards it being the wisdom tooth.

Guess all I can do is follow what my dentist says and hope for the best.

OP posts:
Vispa · 21/12/2021 21:53

I had a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth (2 actually) and I occasionally got a painful lump behind my molar (although the wisdom tooth wasn't poking through the gum in any way). Each time it happened the lump eventually burst (gross) and was full of fluid. I had my wisdom teeth removed and had no problems since. Sounds similar to yours...

Original poster
G123454321 · 21/12/2021 22:35

@Vispa

I had a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth (2 actually) and I occasionally got a painful lump behind my molar (although the wisdom tooth wasn't poking through the gum in any way). Each time it happened the lump eventually burst (gross) and was full of fluid. I had my wisdom teeth removed and had no problems since. Sounds similar to yours...
Thank you, I’m going to ask dentist about getting it removed regardless of the molar that may or may not need root canal or extraction.

Did you have to go to hospital to have your done?
Does anyone know if I’d need a referral from my dentist if I want to go private for oral surgery?

OP posts:
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