A dental question...

**carole** · 10-02-2008, 08:55 PM

My 16 yr old daughter Melissa, had to go to the Dentist because the gum around her back tooth was swollen, although no pain as such, anyhow to cut a long story short, she has an abcess,and now they want to do a root canal,there is no decay, infact the dentist said it was very unusual and she could see no reason for it,and could just be her anatomy, great ,poor kid

Has anyone else had this experience and should i be concerned,she is booked in next friday for the first of the three stage procedure, i am upset this has happened to her, she looks after her teeth and it just seem so strange, never heard of it happening before, and wondering if it will happen again, of course a root canal might not work, and we cannot possibly afford a crown,so here's hoping it all goes well.

Anyhow your thoughts please, thanks.

**StarandBratsmom** · 10-03-2008, 08:16 AM

Can they not drain the abcess and treat it with antibiotics?

**shepgirl** · 10-03-2008, 09:31 AM

I've had abcesses before and was put on antibiotics to clear them up, no root canal necessary in my case at least so I really don't understand the need if they don't see anything on the x-ray.

**moosmom** · 10-03-2008, 10:22 AM

I had an absess around one of my front teeth years ago. The greedy dentist I went to (he was sailing buddies with the guy I was dating) told me either lose the tooth or have a root canal done. I had a second opinion done (by his former colleague) who injected antibiottic directly into the absess. It cleared up and I still have my front tooth, intact. She told me that I have bone loss in that tooth. Haven't had a problem since.

Carole,

I don't see any reason why she should have a root canal at her age. I'd definitely get a second opinion.

**jazzcat** · 10-03-2008, 10:40 AM

They aren't going to give her antibiotics first to see if that takes care of it? That would be my first choice.

**carole** · 10-03-2008, 08:21 PM

Yes Lori she is on antibiotics, hubby and i talked last night and we think a second opinion would be the best thing to do, i cannot quite understand it all either, we saw a programme here, a nz one once on Dentists, and it was mind boggling, went to one and they would say you needed this expensive treatment, another would say not necessary, i have to add that melissa's treatment is covered by our free health care here until she is 18, but the Dentist still gets paid the same amount, just not out of our pocket, we would have to pay to see another dentist, but i am fine with that.

Yes i am a bit puzzled as to why a root canal, interesting what you said too Donna, sure has got me thinking all right, thanks everyone.