Expert: Rafael Mosery,D.D.S. - 10/21/2006

Question
Hi! I had a piece of my tooth to break off approx. 2 years ago.  At that time I had went to my dentist and he filed it smooth enough so my tongue would not hurt from the sharpness. I could not have it fixed then, because of having no dental insurance. I have been very fortunate these past 2 yrs to be pain free. Two weeks ago after my insurance went into effect I went to the dentist and he put a temporary crown on and I am waiting for the porcelain the 31 of this month.  I have been in severe to moderate pain since that day. I have taken Tylenol and ibuprofen around the clock.  I wished I had never done this.  I went back to my dentist one week after the temporary crown and he smoothed the crown, writes out prescription a antibodic just to be on the safe side, gives me a prescription for Darvacet that I cannot take because of my job and tells me to be patient.  Its hard to be patient when you are hurting like I am hurting.  He also told me to give this several days and if the pain is not gone while he is on vacation to go to this specialist he recommended to have a root canal done.  The only problem I have is my dental insurance will not pay for the procedure. I am so tired of hurting and upset because my dentist under any circumstance will not extract the tooth, because he said it is a good sound tooth.  Well if it is such a good tooth, why am I in so much pain.  I don't know what to do.  I do know that I am not letting him put the porcelain on while this temporary is still hurting. Please can you give me some advice?  

Answer
Sounds like you need the Root canal therapy there is absolutely no way around it short of extraction( which would be the least desirable option) The finished restoration should not be placed until the tooth is pain free. Stop torturing yourself get the root canal therapy.Don't let your life be run by your insurance company.If you needed new tires for your car or no car you'd get the new tires. The RCT should be priority one for your health and well being.
Good Luck,
Dr.Rafael Mosery