Root Canal?

[isamol]

I have a phobia of needles and get very upset when I find courage to visit a dentist,  I at times cancel or never show up for second visit, therefore I have an accumulations of a dozen cavities.  With that said,  Nine months ago,  I had my teeth cleaned and a complete set of X-rays done.  Was given a plan of how bad cavities were and the cost of each.  As always, I tell them I will schedule later and never find the courage to go back.  This week I saw another dentist that a friend refered me to that actually gives prescription to calm nerves and uses laughing gas-nitrous oxide.  Cleaning was fine, but because insurance did not allowed another set of X-rays, they only did a couple side shots and one from behind my front tooth.  He said that the particular tooth requires a root canal because I show infection and bone loss.  He asked if it hurt and I told him that sometimes the pain is mild, but that another tooth is really the problem.   I don't take anything for this tooth because the pain is very mild, when it happened.  He tapped on that tooth and other teeth next to it, but they don't hurt.  He asked if it was sensitive to cold/hot, but not that I've noticed.  He told me if I don't do it right away, I will need surgery to treat it later on.  my back inside of tooth seem dark, but it was like this 9 months ago, when the other doctor checked it and diagnosed it. I do clean my teeth and don't seem to have other problems.  What do I believe?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would think that the dentist that told you there was an infection in the bone associated with a dead tooth had nothing to gain except your well being. If you do not have confidence in the doctor then you had better find one before things get out of control.