19 replies to this topic

[simone4]

Hi, I went to my dentist this week for cleaning and she found infection

in a crowned tooth.  She took the x-ray next door to the endodontist

and he said it would be less trauma for me to have a root canal.  There

is no tooth below it (it's a molar, #3) so chewing is not an issue.

I worry about the materials they use and if it could worsen my

CML side affects.  However, an extraction might be slow to heal

and there might be an infection issue.  I have never had a root canal

and I need advise. I see my oncologist on Monday for blood work and

I will ask him. But I need to hear from people on the board if possible.

Thank you in advance.

Simone

[everonward]

Hi Simone

I had root canal work and a crown fitted about 18 months ago, due to an infection and I haven't had any trouble since.

ATB

Marian

[jwbwater]

I had a tooth extracted over 6 months ago becuase of infection, it healed fine albeit slowly.

[Susan61]

Hi:   Most people do the root canal to save the teeth or for cosmetic reasons and bite issues.  Most people will not agree with me, but I always go fo the Extraction if its in a area that cannot be seen.  I had trouble with my teeth when I was very young, and a failed root canal had resulted in my getting top dentures at 17 years old.  I know we should try to save our bottom teeth, anyway we can.  ITs is very hard to get a comfortable fit on bottom teeth without them moving around.  A molar is necessary, just as all our other teeth.  I do not think you have to worry about infection either way.  I have Mitral Valve Prolapse, and was told I would have to go on a antibiotic every time I had dental work.  Now they are changing the rules on that, because they find that taking theAntibiotic could result in problems later on when your body might need it for another use and you have built up an immunity to the antibiotic where it would not work.

I think its whatever you feel comfortable with and can afford.

[simone4]

Susan,I tend to agree. I also have MVP with regurge so I have to take

Amoxil one hour before any procedure.  I have a good "toothe puller"

here, so I will probably have the extraction since it is not a chewing issue.

Sorry, you had such a horrible experience as a young woman with the

Root Canal.  Dentistry is like "voodoo" to me anyway.  No one  knows

what they are going in your mouth and they don't seem too willing to tell.

Marian, thank you for your response. I'm sure being from UK your

procedure didn't cost $1, 500.00.  That is the rate here.

Jim, thanks as well for your response.  I heal rather quickly,

but I will be patient if I need to be.

Your kindness is appreciated.

Merci

Simone

[Trey]

Ignore the CML and make your decision based on regular issues.  Your immune system works just fine.

[everonward]

Marian, thank you for your response. I'm sure being from UK your
procedure didn't cost $1, 500.00.  That is the rate here.

Very true - I have no idea what I would have paid as we have dental insurance to cover this - I only paid about 150 sterling for the lab work.

I think the going rate is around the £450 or approx $750 for root canal over here, but I may be wrong.

What ever you decide I hope it's over with soon and not too painful.

ATB

Marian

[SunNsand]

I've had two root canals with no problems and the procedure wasn't painful.

Forgot to add that on one occasion my dentist put me on an antibiotic for infection. The other time my dentist didn't think I needed one, so my Onc prescribed one for me. That was close to when I was first diagnosed so maybe my counts were wacky ...

[simone4]

Thanks for that info.  Glad they were painless and you

didn't have any infection.  Are you still on 300mg. of G. like

me?  My counts are still low even on that dosage.  Hope

you are doing well.

Simone

[simone4]

Point well taken.

Always glad to get your input.

Thanks,

Simone

[SunNsand]

Yes I am still on 300 mg. I have a visit in Sept. with my Onc, then I will see if I get to continue with the 300mg.

[Tedsey]

How sad we often have such worries over what most others don't even think twice about.  It bites.  I remember feeling like an alien when there was just casual conversation about how my husband should pop an ibuprofen for a headache.  Due to my low PLT, NSAIDS are like kryptonite for me.  I don't have any advice, just wishing you the best and quick healing after the procedure.

Fondly,

Teds

[simone4]

Hi, I went to the oral surgeon this am because I have been

in pain all weekend from the tooth extraction last Tues.

He told me it was not healing like it should at this point,

and there is still some bone not covered.  He wants to

keep an eye on it and I will return next Monday to have

him check it. I have been on antbiotics since the day of extraction.

He said there was no infection and that it did not look inflammed

just not healing properly. Can anyone give advise to helping

the healing process along.  I have always healed from wounds

very fast. I don't understand.

Thank you.

Simone

Message was edited by: simone4

[Happycat]

Simone,

Not sure I'm reading this correctly.  Do you mean you have a dry socket? Is this why there is some uncovered bone?  I've had a dry socket, and it is incredibly painful, so if that's the case, I'm surprised you made it through the w/e before going back to the oral surgeon.  Basically, you get a dry socket when the blood clot gets dislodged after the extraction.  I lost mine because I threw up afterward and out it came.  I was also cautioned against using a straw, as the suction might dislodge it, too.  I had to go back to the dentist the day after my dry socket started.  I was practically babbling from the pain.

So, I'll tell you what he did for my dry socket.  He used these horrible smelling (okay, not horrible, but very strong) strips of cloth that were soaked in clove oil.  This was used to pack the dry socket.  I had to have it removed at some point, maybe 2-3 days later, at which time it was packed again.  I think it was maybe a week all told before the packing finally came out.  I probably did some salt water rinses, etc., after that, but it was so long ago (25 yrs or so) that I can't remember all the details.  But I sure do remember the pain, the packings, and the lovely taste of clove oil.  Don't get me wrong, I like the smell of cloves (eugenol oil), but tasting all day every day and having everything you eat taste like it gets a little old.  I also remember my tongue almost feeling numb from it.  Maybe they put some anesthetic in there, too, besides the clove oil.

There are mouth rinses they can prescribe that promote healing.  My current dentist is fond of a brand called Nature's Dentist (or Natural Dentist).  I spent months swishing that stuff after I had a crown lengthening procedure.  It's is pleasant tasting, so it's much easier to comply.  My oral surgeon gave me something called chlorhexidine - an extremely nasty medicinal tasting mouthwash designed to prevent infections - when I had my dental implants.  But if I had a choice, I'd pick the Nature's Dentist.  Not sure if you can get the Nature's Dentist in drugstores.  The dentist has always given it to me.

HTH,

Traci

[GerryL]

Hi Happy,

Clove oil seems to have an anesthetic effect - I've used it when I've had tooth ache and haven't been able to get into the dentist straight away.

[simone4]

Traci, thanks for your reply.  No I do not have a dry socket. The tissue

has not healed together like it should. He said he might have to take

out some of the bone if it refused to heal.  I see him again for him

to check the healing process. I have been on antibiotics and there is

no infection. Gleevec delays healing, I believe this firmly. Also my

immune system is not doing what it should or this would not be

happening. It was a tough pull, tooth broke (a gold crowned one)

in a few pieces. I'll wait and see.  The pain is still there but not like

before.

Simone

[simone4]

Billie, you are a funny girl.  I drank some bourbon last night as a matter of

fact.  I live in the south, so this whole area has a drink of bourbon at night.

It helped. You could not have been raised by a better group of people than

the Italians and the Irish. My mom was French and my papa was Swedish,

so my baby bottles probably had a bit of wine in them as well.  But I

do not remember being told I was a good baby. The Nordic blood ran

too deep.

My tooth is better today, thank you.  I hope to heal by Monday

when I see the oral surgeon again.

Take care.

Simone

[WoofWoof]

Simone: I had major dental work done last year while on Tasigna. Had a mouthfull of teeth extracted and did fine. My original post is here:

http://community.lls...age/66238#66238

[simone4]

Thanks for the link.  My gum is better today. Maybe I

will heal soon. I will blame this on Gleevec. I whine about

this drug about every 6 months...go on about all it's

side effects to my friends, then they begin rolling their eyes

and I shut up. You can't "cheat Death" without some

consequences, can you?

Simone