Tag Archives: tooth extractions

Dental implants

She’s PLaying with Fire with This Tooth Infection

I have an impacted wisdom tooth that is slightly infected. My ears hurt as a result. My dentist wants to take it out, which I’m fine with but I want him to take out that tooth and a tooth next to it that had a root canal treatment. He is refusing to take out the tooth with the root canal. I am likely going to wait until he changes his mind because I don’t want to go back and have the second procedure later, as I’m sure I will have to. I’d rather do them both at the same time. Is there any advice you can give me in the meantime?

Pamela

Dear Pamela,

I haven’t seen your x-rays, but I can’t imagine a dentist leaving an infected tooth in your mouth. He’d get to charge you for two extractions instead of one which could only bring him money. The only reason for him not to do that is because he has integrity. That is something to be thankful for.

My guess is nothing is wrong with the adjacent tooth so he doesn’t want to extract it unnecessarily.

Let’s say he did extract it, though. Unlike your wisdom tooth, the adjacent tooth would need to be replaced. Then, you are talking about needing to get a dental implant, something else your dentist could make money off of.

Don’t Wait on This Extraction

Unless there is something you haven’t mentioned to me, this tooth isn’t infected. If you continue to wait on the wisdom tooth extraction, you are putting yourself in danger.

Dental infections are considered dental emergencies because of their tendency to spread when left untreated. Think about how close your jaw is to your lungs, heart, and brain. You wouldn’t want an infection to end up there.

The fact that your ear is already hurting means it has started to spread. Please don’t put this off any longer.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentist Missed Long Coming Cavity

My son has a bit of trouble at the pediatric dentist’s office. We’ve only been twice, but both times they were unable to get x-rays on him. The exam and cleanings seem to go fine. The x-rays scare him. Both times, they’ve sent us on our way saying everything looked fine. Then, two days after our last appointment, he came to my room crying with a toothache and massive fever. I gave him some pain reliever and called the pediatric dentist. They weren’t open, so I called my dentist who agreed to see him. Thankfully, because he turned out to have a massive tooth infection on his back molar. My dentist was able to give him an x-ray without any problem. The decay was so bad he couldn’t save the tooth, which worries me because it was a molar. He gave him some dental sedation and extracted the molar right there. He said that cavity was a long time coming. How did the pediatric dentist miss it?

Lucy

Dear Lucy,

A child holding a teddy bear at the pediatric dentists office

It’s hard to say why the pediatric dentist missed it. I’m curious as to what your dentist did differently than your pediatric dentist which helped your son feel comfortable with the x-rays. It sounds like your family dentist is good with children. If you’re not satisfied with your current pediatric dentist you may consider you and your son going to the same practice. It’s perfectly fine for general dentists to treat children if they’re good with them.

I’m glad your dentist was able to deal with the infection so quickly. That could have turned out horribly if it spread further. You’re right it’s a shame that the molar couldn’t be saved. Hopefully, your dentist placed a space maintainer there for him. Otherwise, your son’s teeth will shift and cause crowding in his teeth. That will mean expensive orthodontics. You definitely don’t want to deal with that.

Effective Pediatric Dental Care

You’re wise to take your son to the dentist regularly. Too many parents wait until there’s a dental emergency to bring their children to the dentist. That makes their first experience a negative one, which often leads to dental anxiety.

It sounds like he responded well to dental sedation for the extraction. That’s good news too. The goal in pediatric care, along with good oral health, is to feel positive about the dentist.

Hopefully, this infection hasn’t completely thrown him off and he can enjoy going again.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Tooth Extraction

Do I have to have an extraction?

My upper left molar that we thought needed to be capped because part of it was missing is really starting to radiate pain. The only time I get relief is when I drink something cold. Am I making a mistake just getting it capped? Should I get it extracted?

Julia R.- New Jersey

Julia,

Whether or not you get your tooth extracted is up to you. However, have you looked into saving the tooth? I tend to try to save a tooth whenever possible. Your dentist should give you the pros and cons of every option.

Generally when cold makes tooth pain go away, it is a sign that the tooth is dying inside and needs a root canal treatment. If you did that, you can take care of the pain, get a dental crown, and save your tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.