Tooth #19 went bad, dentist said it could not be saved, so it was extracted and a bridge was installed using #18 and #20 for anchors.

Dentist said that I should get maybe 25 years out of it. That was 27 years ago.

---

Just recently, #18 developed problems, could not be saved. Extracted a couple weeks ago, new bridge for #18 and #19, using #17, #20, and #21 for anchors is in the works.

Temporary bridge installed three days ago, much discomfort*. Permanent bridge is scheduled in another six weeks.

This morning a piece of the temporary bridge broke off. Yes, on Sunday, of course. Contacted dentist via Relay Service for Hearing Impaired (the best way for me to handle a "telephone call"). Scheduled to arrive dentist office tomorrow (Monday) morning and sit on my narrow ass in the waiting room until they can get to me. Will make sure that my Kindle is fully charged, and loaded with a few books.

---

*NOTE: Doc did give me a prescription for some sort of dope, but I do not do well with narcotics, so I will just stumble along with ibuprofen and / or acetaminophen.

I suppose that I shouldn't whine, many people have problems that are far worse. I'll try to count my blessings, instead of complaining about setbacks.

I had some root canals go bad including one that broke off in my jaw. Was not fun at all.
3 teeth removed for root canals that went bad and 1 tooth removed that was cracked from an altercation.
Dental work does suck.
Hope everything turns out good for you with the least amount of pain.

I’ll be 38 in a few days and have never had even a cavity. Only had braces and 4 wisdom teeth removed. Keeping my fingers crossed.

None of these stories make me feel good.

Right there with you. I just got drilled for an implant (my 5th) yesterday. And yet another tooth may be showing signs of cracking.

Me too. I've only got 9 teeth left and a pair of large partials.

I can see it now. I'll sit in the treatment chair, reach over and very gently grab the dentist's testicles, and say, "Now, we're not going to hurt each other, are we?"

What if he's a she?

I hope they get you sorted V-Tail

quote:

What if he's a she?

I had not considered that, but this he is a he, although everyone else in the office is a she.

I was in the chair for over three hours last Tuesday. Dentist ran into problems.

quote:

I was in the chair for over three hours last Tuesday. Dentist ran into problems.

About the same for me, this past week, prepping three teeth to anchor the temporary bridge that failed this morning. He probably used about a half gallon of lidocaine.

I guess I inherited my parents bad teeth. They both had dentures by age ~30. From what I saw of the trouble they had with them I declared to keep my original teeth as long as possible at any cost. I still have all mine but do not have a single one left that has not been worked on. Too many root canals and caps to remember. Lots of $$$, but to me worth it.

My child hood dentist was so slow he only saw two patients a day and used reusable needles that looked to me to be as big as a #2 pencil lead. I can still imagine the sound of him rattling his pan of needles looking for the least dull one to use! Now that was an experience to hate! Child abuse it was.

These days the biggest fear is to my wallet!

I just hate dentistry period.

I have pretty decent teeth but last visit they told me that I was going to have to get one pulled before too long.

I hate cleanings also. Yuuuuck!!

Closest I ever came to being arrested was due to a Uh...disagreement with a dentist mid visit. Sorry sir.

I've been very lucky. I've had the same dentist for over 45 years. He doesn't do root canals or extractions anymore. I've had about 4 root canals, and about 6 crowns. Keep your teeth as long as possible. People are quick to get them yanked because of the expense of root canals and crowns, but then you still have to do something where the tooth was or your teeth will shift. Not a fan of bridges, if I needed one I'd probably go for implants instead.

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfpacker:
I just hate dentistry period.

I have pretty decent teeth but last visit they told me that I was going to have to get one pulled before too long.

I hate cleanings also. Yuuuuck!!

Yikes, even cleanings bother you??? That's the easy part. Wonder why they want to yank your tooth??? If it needs a root canal get it done and then get a crown.

Dentistry is so much better now than when I was a kid, I don't mind going. Once upon a time I hated (feared) them so much, the MP's came and took me to dental for a cleaning. (I was in an "immediate response" type unit.)

quote:

Originally posted by MMSIG229:

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfpacker:
I just hate dentistry period.

I have pretty decent teeth but last visit they told me that I was going to have to get one pulled before too long.

I hate cleanings also. Yuuuuck!!

Yikes, even cleanings bother you??? That's the easy part. Wonder why they want to yank your tooth??? If it needs a root canal get it done and then get a crown.

For whatever reason my “gag reflex” can be triggered by brushing my back molars. Cleanings are not easy for me or the technician. Anything that would help this?

Yes, the extraction will need to be discussed and clarified.

I always felt it worst in my wallet.

UPDATE to OP: The temporary bridge lasted almost 72 hours.

Got back to the dentist Monday. Temporary bridge was removed and temporary crowns were installed on the three teeth that will be the anchors for the permanent(?) bridge.

I ate very little after that, soft stuff like cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.

I was advised not to brush, nor use Water-Pik in the area, just rinse & swish with hot salt water. Doing that (rinsing), one of the temporary crowns fell out. This one made it almost eight hours before failing.

Will go back to dentist office later this morning.

Whoo-hoo!

In the meantime, denture paste works well to hold the crown in place. The last time I was in to get a crown replaced(last week; it let go while I was munching on some fried catfish over the weekend) the assistant told me that regular toothpaste can work. Just don't use whitening paste as she told me it can hurt like hell if the tooth hasn't had a root canal.

I'm with you, dental work is for the birds. I HATE it.