I need some advice. One of my molars has been hurting for a few weeks. I went to see a new dentist. He did an x-ray and told me a tooth that had already had a filling has massive decay. He feels he won’t be able to save the tooth and wants to extract it and then schedule me for bone grafting and a dental implant. This seems like a lot for a basic toothache. Am I being overly suspicious? I do want to take care of my teeth.
Ariana
Dear Ariana,
Going strictly off what you described, while bearing in mind I haven’t examined you, I would say you are not being unnecessarily suspicious, and here is why. First, if a tooth were unsaveable it should have started hurting months before, not just a few weeks. Additionally, decay that extensive does not need an x-ray to see how bad it is. It would be very obvious from just a visual examination. Plus, the filling you had would almost positively have fallen into the decay.
My advice is for you is to get a second opinion. When you do, make sure it is a blind second opinion. By that, I mean just go in, tell them you have a toothache and want a second opinion. If they ask what your other dentist said or who he or she was, respond that you want a blind, unbiased opinion so you don’t want to say who it is or what he or she suggested. They should understand that.
It is good that you went to the dentist so soon after your tooth started hurting. Most people wait until it becomes a dental emergency. You were smart and proactive, which tells me you’ll have a greater chance of saving your tooth.
If for some reason your dentist is right and the tooth cannot be saved, then you will want to replacement. The one thing he does recommend that I agree with is that if you need to replace the tooth, a dental implant is the best replacement available. I have doubts about the need for bone grafting. You are not likely to have lost enough bone to need any grafting. A good second opinion will help clear this up.
Best of luck to you.
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