I had a good amount of restoration work done last year, and since then have
had intermittent discomfort in all my lower molars. Nothing shows up on any
x-rays. Short of opening up each tooth, is there any way to determine
which ones, if any, have pulp infections?  I don't want to do the
hunt-and-peck method of root canal therapy.

"George" wrote in message
news:da24cf9f-6058-4bd0-9a06-486112c4a884@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
On Apr 16, 4:07 pm, "Robert" <guyinc...@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
I had a good amount of restoration work done last year, and since then
have
had intermittent discomfort in all my lower molars. Nothing shows up on
any
x-rays. Short of opening up each tooth, is there any way to determine
which ones, if any, have pulp infections? I don't want to do the
hunt-and-peck method of root canal therapy.

You could start with some pulp vitality tests (cold, electrical), but
they're not 100% accurate.

I had a good amount of restoration work done last year, and since then have
had intermittent discomfort in all my lower molars. Nothing shows up on any
x-rays. Short of opening up each tooth, is there any way to determine
which ones, if any, have pulp infections? I don't want to do the
hunt-and-peck method of root canal therapy.

It is altogether possible that you have no infections, exp. if these
are large resin fillings. Placement is very technique-sensitive, and
imperfect bonding can lead to sensitivity.

Steve

It is altogether possible that you have no infections, exp. if these
are large resin fillings. Placement is very technique-sensitive, and
imperfect bonding can lead to sensitivity.

Steve


I wouldn't even us the word "very". However poor technique, poor choice
of materials, and/or poor isolation can sure screw it up.

Should no longer be true, but it is still an issue with some dentists.

:-(
D

I wouldn't even us the word "very". However poor technique, poor choice
of materials, and/or poor isolation can sure screw it up.

Should no longer be true, but it is still an issue with some dentists.

It is altogether possible that you have no infections, exp. if these are
large resin fillings. Placement is very technique-sensitive, and
imperfect bonding can lead to sensitivity.
As far as the swollen lymph nodes, these should be checked out. It can
certainly be something other than the teeth.

"Dartos" wrote in message news:1208369756_8482@news.newsville.com...

I wouldn't even us the word "very". However poor technique, poor choice
of materials, and/or poor isolation can sure screw it up.

Should no longer be true, but it is still an issue with some dentists.



Thanks for the reply. Would should I consider doing? I assume that having
the resin fillings replaced would put undue additional trauma on them.

Would a dental CT scan be of any help? Would it show infections that a
regular x-ray would not?

Would a dental CT scan be of any use? Would it show infections that a
regular x-ray would not?

Thanks very much for the reply. Are swolen lymph nodes a frequent symptom of
pulp infection?

Would a dental CT scan be of any use? Would it show infections that a
regular x-ray would not?

With a sample size of ONE, I had a fellow with 8 new restorations
that caused a lot of pain. I replaced all 8, and 7 of them had
perfect results. One ended up with a root canal. He still has
all of his teeth and he is doing fine 10 years later.

Robert wrote:

Thanks very much for the reply. Are swolen lymph nodes a frequent symptom
of
pulp infection?

Fairly common. However, it is unlikely that swollen nodes would be the
only sign. The nodes are regional, and can drain from a variety of

I would assume that if the infection went as far as causing swolen lymph
nodes that something would turn up on the x-ray. Is that true? Thanks.

One thing that really concerned me is that one of the resin fillings had
extensive decay under it less than one year later. God knows what is going
on underneath the others.