alexist

my tooth (top central incisor) was giving me trouble the past day or two--it was very sensitive when tapped. Today it's been aching. I just discovered why: at the top of the gum (by the root of the tooth), there's a swelling that hurts like hell if it's touched. :-( I hope it's not an abscess--I had one on the neighboring tooth 4 years ago (that was a barrel of fun: my entire face swelled up and I was 1,500 miles from home.) I can't remember if this tooth had a root canal. It's already got a crown (all my front teeth were redone several years ago) but I can't remember if it had a root canal or not.

I'll have to call Dr. Lipman first thing in the morning :-( I know he'll be there, as someone asked him when I was there Monday. I hope it won't require oral surgery this time though as I don't know when I'll be able to go--you need someone to drive you home. I'm not worried about needing another root canal (if I do). My endodontist (if Dr. Lipman gives me a chance to call him this time) is fantastic. The whole "root canal is painful" thing is a myth. What hurts is the dying tooth. The procedure itself hurts no more than a filling (in other words, not at all if the dentist is good with the Novocaine).

Of course, it's annoying needing a whole bunch of procedures at the end of the year, when I've used most of my dental insurance--but these are things you can't push off! Put a root canal off too long, and the tooth dies. Since it's a top incisor, there's no question of letting it go. Plus, I already had crowns put on--who wants to pay again for a bridge?!