6 crowns, 2 root canals in one visit

[Vicki5]

My husband had 6 crowns, 2 root canals, and old filings taken out, cleaned and replaced with white. It has been 5 weeks. The Lab said the impressions needed a re-do. He went back, took off temps, and re did impressions. His teeth is sensitive couldn't bite down well enough for a good impression. Went through it again. Finally permanent crowns arriving next week. His mouth hurts a lot, but not constantly. Mostly at night it hurts alot, can't sleep, daytime ok. Should he still be hurting? Was it too much at once? If it was serious wouldn't it be hurting constantly. He is so frustrated in the time it has taken. Dr. says because his teeth are sensitive, they have to numb for impression and that's part of the prob. they have had to take 3. He hadn't been to the dentist in 15 years. He did the sedation denitstry and wanted it all done at once. Now he wishes he had never gone....sorry so long, please give opinion.
Thanks

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

There are a myriad of questions and concerns in your email. I would be concerned that your husband can't sleep. I do think this amount of discomfort has to looked into.I am not a proponent of sedation dentistry unless it is absolutely necessary. Certainly having to do the impressions three times are going to make the teeth and gums hypersensitive.That it is definitely a good amount of work at one time.

[poco1023]

Hi Vicki, I just had my 6 front teeth grinded down on 10/21 and placed with a temporary bridge. Went back on 10/28 for more impressions and to check gums.  It was very sensitive when they took the temp out since the teeth were exposed, i had to cover my mouth when I spoke, but otherwise felt fine.  I go back tomorrow to chose the perm color and have more impressions.  I have an awful bite which is why i've had alot of impressions.  I told the dentist in the beginning I would like the perms by the 19th so I seem to be right on schedule, 4 weeks. your husband had more work then me, but the timing seems right there with mine. If your husband is in pain, I would ask them for painkillers which they have given me to take at night. Didn't need a prescription, they just gave them to me right in the office. Pain is worse for me too when i sleep which they told me was normal. I wish the best to your husband, but at least the worst is over.

[Vicki5]

Thanks for the responses. I have searched the internet trying to find some answers...which has pros and cons..for sure. The dentist said taking the temps off 2 times now, and having to re-do impressions has caused the discomfort.He can sleep at night, it's just the pain hurts more. If it's too bad, he feels better sleeping with his head elevated on 3 pillows. Makes sense that Having to be numbed makes it hard to get a good impression for the Lab, as he can't feel to bite down correctly.  He has Vicidon, but it doens't help as much as Advil...he was told to have the perm. crowns but on with temp. cement, then see how it goes, before perm. cement.....DR? why don't you like sedation denistry? Seems a good choice for dentist fearing folks?
Have a nice night.

[funkynina]

I have concers with him hurting so much at night. I'm not a dentist, but I have been in the dental field for 11 years. Pain at night is usually not a good sign, but everyone is diff. Which teeth are hurting? Is it the teeth that had the root canals or the teeth that had the fillings replaced? Also, are his teeth not sensitive in the day time at all? Not even when he is eating? Like more to hot or cold? Or pressure? Does he have headaches like radiating from his temples or from the back of his kneck? I don't think not being able to bite down would affect the impressions that much. Actually, when an impression is made the dentist does not want the patient to bite down at all. This way the dr. can hold it in and make sure it doesn't move. The only thing that would be affected by his bite is if they are taking a registration which is important to see how his teeth fit together. The impression is more for making the inside of the crown be the right shape and size and then the shape of the teeth are made aroung that and according to the bite which comes from the restration ususally a wax or a pinkish material that hardens after a few seconds; I think about 10-15 seconds. Also a face bow is a more accurate way to get a person's bite correct.  It goes in the patient's ears and a registrations is made inside of thier mouth. It is a strange contraption, but works great!

[siren of the sea]

actually the face bow is used in making dentures. there is many new materials that you do bite down in the permanent impressions. i was a dental asst for 16 years. id say if he is having pain mostly in the night maybe he is grinding his teeth and the temps are high. none of us can say for sure seeing this is the computer. id have him call and be checked since it will be awhile before the permenant are dont. when my patients called we saw them right away since you dont want to seat permenants if pain is involved. i hope this is resolved prior to his final treatment but maybe the temporaries are fitted just right. i have seen some that were so ill fitted that the pain was  unbelievable. mine never were thank god. call and have him be seen and hopefully they are a good office with love and understanding.

[mike1105]

i am a dentist. the original post is concerning. the fact that the lab wanted the impression redone means to me that the dentist accepted a sub-par impression, your husband should not be in pain if the temporaries were done well and if nerves are not involved-- which if they were should be obvious. I'd go for a second opinion and have another dentist examine the work that has been done so far. try to get a referral from a trusted friend or family member. impressions should not have to be taken 3 times.

[Vicki5]

Thanks again. He is hurting on one side more than the other, upper and lower. Upper is where he had a crown and old filings cleaned out, and lower is the root canal. He clinches and grinds his teeth at night. They made a temporary mouth guard, but it hasn't helped much. They have X-ray again, and say the roots look fine. They too are puzzled why he is hurting. They contend that having to redo impressions, etc hasn't allowed healing. He is going to another Dentist today to let him check it out. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

[Vicki5]

We went to friend rec. dentist and then to an endo Dr. bottom line is; My husband had a HUGE amount of work done at one time and it's going to take time to heal. he needs one more root canal on the side that is causing pain. And the his bite was way off on the temp crowns, so grinding and clenching at night was making it worse. They did several tests, tapping, cold sensitivity and a 3D Xray. The endo prescibed steroids, antibiotics, and pain meds, and mouth rinse. Said not to put the perm. crowns on till pain is gone.
I guess the moral is: even though sedation denistry has it's place, dont' cram 15 years of not going to the dentist into one visit. My husband is so afraid of the dentist he wanted it all over at one sitting.
He took a Vicodin and went to bed.........hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

[JJJJJo]

I am in the process of having a lot of work done as well. The bottom is complete with one side still in temps. I am waiting tell I can get in to the ENDO to get RTC on Teeth #19&21. I am in so much pain I can hardly stand it, the teeth are not erupted, but they hurt so so bad, that the only way to get rid the pain is to kill the tooth, so I am told.  Does anyone know is this right?