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Attached photo (from internet): I had something similar like the photo, looks like swollen gum, which appears once in a while, then break, then appear again, and repeat the process quite many times in the past few months. So there is something wrong with the tooth. There is nothing in the past 2-3 weeks. I don't feel any pain all the time, for the past few months.
My primary dentist saw something like that in the attached photo, but not sure about the problem based on X-ray, and refers me to one root canal specialist.
On the day when I visit root canal specialist, the tooth looks fine, there is nothing look like attached photo. He shows the X-ray image on computer screen, area next to one side of bottom of tooth is dark, he explains that nerve is dead there, that is what dark area means. But based on X-ray, he is not sure about tooth condition either. He offers me two options. Option 1: Root canal. But if it is cracked tooth (he is not sure from X-ray), root canal won't fix the issue, in the future, it still needs to go to Option 2. Option 2: Tooth extraction, implant, but that is not what root canal specialist does, he will ask me to go back to dentist to do that.
He concludes that there is an issue, and suggests me not to do nothing, after I hints to leave it alone since he is not sure.
My concern: If root canal specialist is not 100% sure about the issue, why I accept root canal? If it is "good" tooth, why do root canal on it? If it is cracked tooth, root canal won't fix the issue and it will need implant in the future too, it is waste of money on root canal. Tooth extraction now is even not acceptable to me, both dentists are not sure about the tooth from X-ray, why I want to have my tooth pulled out now.
The whole point is: it is hard for me to make a decision, since both dentists are not sure about the exact condition of tooth. It is hard for me to accept either recommended option, simply because of unsure condition. I fully understand for dentist to say "not sure" based on X-ray, he is just being honest, but it is hard for me to accept either option based on his guessing.
Out of sheer desperation and lack of better alternatives I would try oil pulling.
I don't usually go this direction, but I have never been in your position. When I needed a root canal, there was no doubt I needed a root canal! I had no time to wait. Big pain.
You've got some time.
Attached photo (from internet): I had something similar like the photo, looks like swollen gum, which appears once in a while, then break, then appear again, and repeat the process quite many times in the past few months. So there is something wrong with the tooth. There is nothing in the past 2-3 weeks. I don't feel any pain all the time, for the past few months.
My primary dentist saw something like that in the attached photo, but not sure about the problem based on X-ray, and refers me to one root canal specialist.
On the day when I visit root canal specialist, the tooth looks fine, there is nothing look like attached photo. He shows the X-ray image on computer screen, area next to one side of bottom of tooth is dark, he explains that nerve is dead there, that is what dark area means. But based on X-ray, he is not sure about tooth condition either. He offers me two options. Option 1: Root canal. But if it is cracked tooth (he is not sure from X-ray), root canal won't fix the issue, in the future, it still needs to go to Option 2. Option 2: Tooth extraction, implant, but that is not what root canal specialist does, he will ask me to go back to dentist to do that.
He concludes that there is an issue, and suggests me not to do nothing, after I hints to leave it alone since he is not sure.
My concern: If root canal specialist is not 100% sure about the issue, why I accept root canal? If it is "good" tooth, why do root canal on it? If it is cracked tooth, root canal won't fix the issue and it will need implant in the future too, it is waste of money on root canal. Tooth extraction now is even not acceptable to me, both dentists are not sure about the tooth from X-ray, why I want to have my tooth pulled out now.
The whole point is: it is hard for me to make a decision, since both dentists are not sure about the exact condition of tooth. It is hard for me to accept either recommended option, simply because of unsure condition. I fully understand for dentist to say "not sure" based on X-ray, he is just being honest, but it is hard for me to accept either option based on his guessing.
This post is for asking for a second opinion.
I had something similar to what you are showing with a back molar several years after I had had aroot canal and crown on that tooth. The loss of the nerve with the root canal made it not painful at all, otherwise with an intact tooth with its nerves I would think it would be very painful. The cause of those pus pockets appearing on the gumline under the tooth is an infection under the tooth, or around a tooth in the gum and the material ( pus) from the infection trying to make its way out to the surface. The x-rays and careful examination of same by my dentist showed I had an abscess next to one of the molar roots under the gumline. That molar had had a root canal and crown, but apparently the material they put in to replace the nerve and whatever else they drill out during the root canal had cracked, that crack went all the way out to the exterior surface of the tooth root. This provided a source of contamination ( oral bacteria, food particles, whatever other schmootz you find in the mouth and created a great breeding ground for whatever bacteria chose to set up housekeeping there.
Such an abscess will come and go intermitently. I'd "pop" any abscess that appeared on my gum, which will relieve any pressure building up as the under the gum abscess progresses, then I'd use mouthwash and brush my teeth often. But until the infection in the gum is eradicated, those abscesses will continue to appear on the outside of the gum. I finally had the molar extracted, ( went through a course of antibiotic therapy first) and that took care of the infection.
So, I'm betting that what you are seeing there is the breakout of an abscess on your gum from an infection in the gum either around or attached to a tooth root. There may be an opening from a crack or break in that tooth associated with that infection.
The only *valid* second opinion you'll get from this forum, is to seek a second opinion from a licensed dental practitioner.
Please, it is just public forum, no need to bring out strict rule, which will make people uncomfortable. Just relax a little bit. If you are too serious, then a lot of threads here should be deleted and directed to professional. Public forum is for knowledge sharing.
If you don't like the word opinion, just substitute it with the word discussion. Moreover, the rule states advice, not really same as opinion.
It is not life or death medical issue, no need to seek opinion from another licensed dentist, if anyone (either dentist or patient or anyone) wants to say something, just say something.
Two dentists have already looked into the issue. It is not free to seek opinion from a licensed dentist.
It does not matter valid or not, just treat it as casual discussion between your own friends or family members.
I had something similar to what you are showing with a back molar several years after I had had aroot canal and crown on that tooth. The loss of the nerve with the root canal made it not painful at all, otherwise with an intact tooth with its nerves I would think it would be very painful. The cause of those pus pockets appearing on the gumline under the tooth is an infection under the tooth, or around a tooth in the gum and the material ( pus) from the infection trying to make its way out to the surface. The x-rays and careful examination of same by my dentist showed I had an abscess next to one of the molar roots under the gumline. That molar had had a root canal and crown, but apparently the material they put in to replace the nerve and whatever else they drill out during the root canal had cracked, that crack went all the way out to the exterior surface of the tooth root. This provided a source of contamination ( oral bacteria, food particles, whatever other schmootz you find in the mouth and created a great breeding ground for whatever bacteria chose to set up housekeeping there.
Such an abscess will come and go intermitently. I'd "pop" any abscess that appeared on my gum, which will relieve any pressure building up as the under the gum abscess progresses, then I'd use mouthwash and brush my teeth often. But until the infection in the gum is eradicated, those abscesses will continue to appear on the outside of the gum. I finally had the molar extracted, ( went through a course of antibiotic therapy first) and that took care of the infection.
So, I'm betting that what you are seeing there is the breakout of an abscess on your gum from an infection in the gum either around or attached to a tooth root. There may be an opening from a crack or break in that tooth associated with that infection.
It'd a D, not an O. And it's a billing code. It is what the endodontist will submit to the insurance company, when he does a "root canal" on your tooth. The term "root canal" is actually a misnomer, everyone has a root canal. That is the canal under the gum and into the bone, where the root exists. Root canal therapy is what the endodontist does, when there is something wrong with the root of your tooth. If that tooth is a bicuspid, and you have insurance, then the insurance company will cover, or not cover, or allow him to charge you, a specific contracted amount of money.
Is it urgent? Dunno. You should've asked your endodontist that.
When I had continued pain after a rootcanal, I had through the gum surgery. The same endodontist cleared out any pockets in the roots where infection could develop. Insurance covered most of it. It wasn't fun but it helped.
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I had no time to wait. Big pain.
