I have had some pain that is on and off for the last week. I went to see a dentist and he did an x-ray. That’s when he found a tooth that already had a filling has another large cavity. He told me the tooth is mostly gone and cannot be saved. He’s schedule me for an appointment in a couple of weeks to have it extracted and he’s given me some antibiotics in the meantime. Then, he wants me to schedule a dental implant. It was everything I could do to get to that appointment. I don’t think I have it in me to get the tooth extracted. Is there any other option?
Lindsey
Dear Lindsey,
I am going to be honest. I think you need a second opinion before you go any further with this. You have some antibiotics, which gives you some time. It won’t solve your tooth infection, but it will keep it from spreading while you see another dentist.
Here is why I think you need other eyes on this. If a tooth were as far gone as your dentist indicated, he would not have even needed an x-ray to know what was going on. You would have been able to see it with the naked eye. In addition, there would be a gaping hole and the cavity would have fallen in on itself. I also think you would have been experiencing pain for much more than a week.
I’d like you to schedule an emergency appointment with another dentist. Don’t tell him what the previous dentist said. Just let him know your symptoms and let him run tests and give his unbiased opinion. If it turns out your tooth does need to be extracted, then yes, a dental implant is a great option. I just have a hard time thinking that is what you’re going to hear.
Hopefully, this dentist can give you some peace of mind and provide an easier solution for you.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.