Root canal/ Crown question (not for the sqeamish :))

Ms. Freya

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About 16 months ago I had a root canal done...it was followed by a massive infection and another 6 months of treatment and anitbiotics before it was actually finished and sealed up (I also developed a slight phobia of having my jaw frozen during this time and came very close to developing a pain-killer addiction). My dentist told me at the end of the ordeal that I would likely have some residual aches for a few months and that I would need a crown eventually. He advised me not to wait more than 2 years. I spoke to my cousin, a dental hygenist and she said to be careful with it, but wait to have the crown put on until I didn't have any regular pain.

So I think I'm finally at that stage. The tooth aches a bit when we have massive weather shifts, but otherwise I really don't have any issues with it. I'm just terrified of having a crown put on because the root canal was so horrid. Academically I know there really shouldn't be any pain since there's no root anymore, but I'm terrified they'll freeze my jaw and that it will mean another 4-6 months of agony.

Also, my dental insurance only covers 70% of the procedure, so some of this will; be coing out of my pocket. I can afford it but I'd be lying if I said I was enthusiastic about it.

Any advice, suggestions, etc? Anyone had a crown put on and can share how it went?

Can you tell I'm terribly nervous about setting an appointment to do this?
 

Winchester

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I think I've had five or six root canals, followed by the crowns (I grind my teeth, so my rear molars aren't in the best of shape; they've all had root canals now). Thankfully, none of mine were that bad. The crown part is probably the easiest part. You have to go in and they'll put a blob of "stuff" in your mouth. It's like a chewing gum, only much larger and much softer. You have to bite down hard as that wad takes an impression of the tooth....the crown will be made from that impression. Usually you have a temporary crown put on the tooth to protect it while the regular crown is being made because it takes several weeks to make the actual crown. You need that temporary covering; once there's no root there, it's kind of like a hollow area and it's really, really susceptible to breaking. Once the tooth breaks, you're done; it has to be removed (at least that's what my dentist always told me). During the root canal process, they usually grind the tooth itself down to make room for the crown. I really don't think your jaw has to be frozen for this....what exactly is freezing the jaw???

When the actual crown is ready, they'll call you back into the office. They take the temp crown off and replace it with the actual crown, using an epoxy-type glue. A bit of sanding to make sure that your bite is OK and you're good to go.

That's probably it in a nutshell....maybe somebody else can better answer your questions as there might be something I've forgotten. A word of advise, though....don't wait around too long to have the crown done. Temporary crowns don't last forever and, like I said, they do protect the tooth, but only up to a certain point. And if that temp crown cracks and something happens to the tooth, you'll likely need to have the tooth removed anyway. And that's a shame because you've already spent money on saving it. Good luck!

I don't have dental insurance; thankfully Rick does. It covers 50% of all procedures. A regular cleaning, x-rays, etc. is completely covered.
 
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Ms. Freya

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 I really don't think your jaw has to be frozen for this....what exactly is freezing the jaw???
it's the anasthetic they use so you don't feel the procedure. I metabolize it oddly fast so they have to use extra with me and my entire jaw feels numb. Personally, I hated it even before it gained the phobia of it.

From what you describe, though, it shouldn't be necesary - I know I can't feel anything in the tooth anymore, so I don't know why they'd freeze it.

Maybe I'll bit the bullet and get it done. I know 2 people who put it off too long and the tooth cracked so It's kind of on my mind lately. Thank you for sharing - you made it sound simple and non-torturous.
 

natalie_ca

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I'm  sorry that you have had such a bad experience that it's made you fear going to the dentist.

I've had 1 root canal done on my front tooth.  It had been damaged when I was a kid. I had knocked it and it had come loose and tightened up. But over the years the tooth turned greyish and I hated to smile because it was right in front on the top.

When I was in my 20's I had a root canal done. I was terrified; especially when the dentist came at me with the drill and no freezing!  He promised it wouldn't hurt because there was so much damage already to the tooth and that the nerve was dead.  My knuckles were white from gripping the chair arms, but there was no pain. Absolutely none.   I had a crown put on too. Again, no freezing required.

I've since had 2 or 3 crowns done, and the front one replaced twice.  The first time because next dentist I went to didn't like how the first one looked. And I had to agree.  Then it was replaced again by my current dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry and he also hated the way the replacement crown looked. There was a dark border around the gum, and the tooth was not flush with the others and sat a bit in front.  I now have a perfect crown!

The other crowns were for back teeth. No root canal neeed. I didn't have any problems with any of them.  One of the back teeth had no external tooth at all, but the rest of the tooth in the gum was healthy.  Because of finances I had a tooth made out of filling for years, and had it replaced twice I think.  Last year I finally at a crown put on it.

I still need another crown. I cracked a tooth eating popcorn a few years ago, and a good portion of the tooth is filling, so it's been advised that I should get a crown.   I hope to get it done this year sometime.  But like you, my insurance only pays a portion and I have other things I need to get right now. So I've been putting off getting the crown.
 

yosemite

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I just had a root canal done last week and am due to have the crown-work started tomorrow.  I fortunately had no issues and he put a temporary filling over the tooth until I can get to my dentist tomorrow.  My root canal was $1,395.00 and I'm not sure how much the crown-work will be.
 

natalie_ca

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it's the anasthetic they use so you don't feel the procedure. I metabolize it oddly fast so they have to use extra with me and my entire jaw feels numb. Personally, I hated it even before it gained the phobia of it.
There is more than one type of freezing.  Talk to your dentist and ask if there is any other type that they can use.
 
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