In 2018 I went to the dentist for the first time in years and they found that an upper pre-molar needed a filling. I didn't get around to it at the time.
In 2021 I went to another dentist for a cleaning, having completely forgotten about the cavity. They discovered that it needed a root canal, and gave me an estimate for $2800 that I didn't have money for. I was stupid and inexperienced, and they tried to tell me they couldn't do it without everything in the $2800 bill, including deep cleanings on all quadrants/etc. So I thought that's what it'd cost to get it fixed, no other option, and without the money I just decided to put it off. I thought if it got bad, I'd know, and have a toothache and trouble eating with it and all that.
Onward through 2021 and into this year I developed eustachian tube dysfunction on that side, basically my ear feeling "full" and unable to pop correctly. Then I had COVID in Dec/Jan and that made it feel like the entire right side of my face/head swelled up. I went to my ENT and primary care doctors and couldn't understand why it was getting better so slowly, but then in June/July I noticed it was all centered around the tooth and the tooth pain increased.
In Sept I finally got a root canal (for $1200), it took 3 sessions to completely clear it out and get it done. The pain has not gone down, and it and the sore throat and fullness in my ear have been driving me crazy. Literally, I've gotten prescribed xanax for my anxiety as I've felt more and more trapped in this health situation.
I've read online that a bad upper molar, or bad wisdom teeth can give you a constant sore throat, ear problems, etc? The dentists I've been to (2 of them, some of the best in my city) say nothing appears wrong on x-rays. The last 1 said the tooth might be high and he filed it down, to no effect. Every time I go to a dentist they convince me to stick with the root canal and that its important for my future health, but I'm thinking it should be pulled? In fact I'm of the opinion that if that doesn't do it, I'll just ask them to keep pulling teeth! Until there's no more there to irritate my throat/ear?
The tooth burns constantly and has a dull achy feeling. My gums right there too. The swollen spot in my ear is like an inch above it, and my sore throat right next to that. I've been on several rounds of amox/k-clav, and no improvement. I have no mucus production in my sinuses, and CT scans show my TMJ isn't bad at all. My jaw DOES click on that side but I sleep with my mouth open and I'm not sore when I wake up.
Its so bad I've sold my house so I can just throw money at this pulling teeth or something to fix this, as I've had enormous trouble working over the past several months due to the pain and the disruption to my sleep and I'd run out of money otherwise.
I'm worried about my mental state if/when my doctors stop prescribing me my anxiety med and this isn't resolved. I'm considering moving to another country where this type of med is more accessible just so I don't have a complete mental breakdown? Can someone ground me and comfort me in all this, hopefully its just the tooth and getting it out I'll feel better? I just can't believe I keep going back to these doctors and dentists and they say nothing is wrong even though I feel so bad!
In 2021 I went to another dentist for a cleaning, having completely forgotten about the cavity. They discovered that it needed a root canal, and gave me an estimate for $2800 that I didn't have money for. I was stupid and inexperienced, and they tried to tell me they couldn't do it without everything in the $2800 bill, including deep cleanings on all quadrants/etc. So I thought that's what it'd cost to get it fixed, no other option, and without the money I just decided to put it off. I thought if it got bad, I'd know, and have a toothache and trouble eating with it and all that.
Onward through 2021 and into this year I developed eustachian tube dysfunction on that side, basically my ear feeling "full" and unable to pop correctly. Then I had COVID in Dec/Jan and that made it feel like the entire right side of my face/head swelled up. I went to my ENT and primary care doctors and couldn't understand why it was getting better so slowly, but then in June/July I noticed it was all centered around the tooth and the tooth pain increased.
In Sept I finally got a root canal (for $1200), it took 3 sessions to completely clear it out and get it done. The pain has not gone down, and it and the sore throat and fullness in my ear have been driving me crazy. Literally, I've gotten prescribed xanax for my anxiety as I've felt more and more trapped in this health situation.
I've read online that a bad upper molar, or bad wisdom teeth can give you a constant sore throat, ear problems, etc? The dentists I've been to (2 of them, some of the best in my city) say nothing appears wrong on x-rays. The last 1 said the tooth might be high and he filed it down, to no effect. Every time I go to a dentist they convince me to stick with the root canal and that its important for my future health, but I'm thinking it should be pulled? In fact I'm of the opinion that if that doesn't do it, I'll just ask them to keep pulling teeth! Until there's no more there to irritate my throat/ear?
The tooth burns constantly and has a dull achy feeling. My gums right there too. The swollen spot in my ear is like an inch above it, and my sore throat right next to that. I've been on several rounds of amox/k-clav, and no improvement. I have no mucus production in my sinuses, and CT scans show my TMJ isn't bad at all. My jaw DOES click on that side but I sleep with my mouth open and I'm not sore when I wake up.
Its so bad I've sold my house so I can just throw money at this pulling teeth or something to fix this, as I've had enormous trouble working over the past several months due to the pain and the disruption to my sleep and I'd run out of money otherwise.
I'm worried about my mental state if/when my doctors stop prescribing me my anxiety med and this isn't resolved. I'm considering moving to another country where this type of med is more accessible just so I don't have a complete mental breakdown? Can someone ground me and comfort me in all this, hopefully its just the tooth and getting it out I'll feel better? I just can't believe I keep going back to these doctors and dentists and they say nothing is wrong even though I feel so bad!
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May I ask, does the pain usually bother you while sleeping or eating? I ask because I'm not a dentist but I've had chronic neuropathic pain for over 2.5 years that started after a dental filling. Most people with my condition have had root canals and teeth pulled, and continue to have what feels like a tooth ache.