I have a few problems with my teeth. One of them is a tooth which apparently in cracked or about to crack. It has always been been a bit sensitive and has recently been quite painful. My dentist suggests either a root canal or a crown, or both. A crown
would cost me a fortune; in addition, I don't like my dentist or any NHS dentists. Next year, I am planning a visit to a dental clinic in East Europe, where, for the price of a crown in UK, I can have a complete dental treatment for the whole mouth.

If I was prepared to fend the pain with painkillers for 3-6 months, what are the risks of leaving the tooth untreated? I'm really fed up with the level of dental care here in UK; a private dentist here would cost me a real fortune. Thanks.

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On 12/10/2018 6:03 PM, miguel.manara@mail.com wrote:

I have a few problems with my teeth. One of them is a tooth which apparently in cracked or about to crack. It has always been been a bit sensitive and has recently been quite painful. My dentist suggests either a root canal or a crown, or both. A crown

would cost me a fortune; in addition, I don't like my dentist or any NHS dentists. Next year, I am planning a visit to a dental clinic in East Europe, where, for the price of a crown in UK, I can have a complete dental treatment for the whole mouth.

If I was prepared to fend the pain with painkillers for 3-6 months, what are the risks of leaving the tooth untreated? I'm really fed up with the level of dental care here in UK; a private dentist here would cost me a real fortune. Thanks.

The risks you take are infection (which may be serious) and potential
damage from long-term use of analgesics--chiefly liver damage from acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney
damage (and a small but significant cardiac risk) from NSAIDS. If the
tooth has a vertical fracture it may well be non-restorable now (and
your dentist should have informed you if this is the case). Also, even
if the tooth is worth saving now, if there is active decay it may well
NOT be worth saving in 3-6 months.
OR you may be fine--no way to predict.

Steve

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On Tuesday, 11 December 2018 21:49:03 UTC, Steven Bornfeld wrote:

The risks you take are infection (which may be serious) and potential
damage from long-term use of analgesics--chiefly liver damage from acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney
damage (and a small but significant cardiac risk) from NSAIDS. If the
tooth has a vertical fracture it may well be non-restorable now (and
your dentist should have informed you if this is the case). Also, even
if the tooth is worth saving now, if there is active decay it may well
NOT be worth saving in 3-6 months.
OR you may be fine--no way to predict.

Steve

Would a root canal, instead of a crown, solve the problem? The dentist mentioned doing both a root canal _and_ a crown. He showed me the x-rays and there was no infection, but he also gave me antibiotics, which helped with the pain. I'm a bit confused
and so looks my dentist.

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On 12/12/2018 4:37 AM, miguel.manara@mail.com wrote:

On Tuesday, 11 December 2018 21:49:03 UTC, Steven Bornfeld wrote:

The risks you take are infection (which may be serious) and potential
damage from long-term use of analgesics--chiefly liver damage from
acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney
damage (and a small but significant cardiac risk) from NSAIDS. If the
tooth has a vertical fracture it may well be non-restorable now (and
your dentist should have informed you if this is the case). Also, even
if the tooth is worth saving now, if there is active decay it may well
NOT be worth saving in 3-6 months.
OR you may be fine--no way to predict.

Steve

Would a root canal, instead of a crown, solve the problem? The dentist mentioned doing both a root canal _and_ a crown. He showed me the x-rays and there was no infection, but he also gave me antibiotics, which helped with the pain. I'm a bit confused

and so looks my dentist.

IF the infection is caused by pulpal infection (ie: not due to gum
problems or fracture extending onto the root), then a properly-done root
canal treatment should address it. However, it will not prevent the
tooth from decaying further. Furthermore, teeth that have had extensive
loss of structure (both from prior filling, decay AND in the course of performing the root canal) are fragile and prone to further fracture.
One of the (unfortunately common) circumstances I see is where a root
canal treatment is performed and the tooth is not properly restored
(usually a crown) and subsequently the tooth fractures in a way that it
cannot be saved. That is why the tooth should be restored promptly
after the root canal is performed.

Steve

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On Wednesday, 12 December 2018 17:33:06 UTC, Steven Bornfeld wrote:

IF the infection is caused by pulpal infection (ie: not due to gum
problems or fracture extending onto the root), then a properly-done root canal treatment should address it. However, it will not prevent the
tooth from decaying further. Furthermore, teeth that have had extensive
loss of structure (both from prior filling, decay AND in the course of performing the root canal) are fragile and prone to further fracture.
One of the (unfortunately common) circumstances I see is where a root
canal treatment is performed and the tooth is not properly restored
(usually a crown) and subsequently the tooth fractures in a way that it cannot be saved. That is why the tooth should be restored promptly
after the root canal is performed.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I wish I had you as my dentist!

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