You might wonder why I would write about my current dental pain troubles in a “bad back” blog. Well, it is because it reminds me of my bad back travails. The feeling of being lost in a sea of little help. Getting the run-around. Solutions I don’t like and befuddled looks from the guys in the white coats.

It started after New Years Day. I felt more tired than a 41-yr old guy oughta feel. My family doctor said it was nothing, but I knew something was brewing. More on this later on.

Instead of trudging back and forth to Long Island to visit my childhood dentist, i decided to try the Family Dental clinic on Avenue A. They also accepted my insurance and were local. Made sense to try the switch.

My teeth were feeling ok, but the x-rays and exam showed 2 tiny cavities that needed fillings. Preventative measures. Logical to submit to the fillings before I end up with root canal.

The dentist just finished performing a root canal and seemed tired. He assured me he was feeling fine and proceeded to fill the two cavities with the amalgam composites per usual. Dr. K numbed me up good, so it was a painless procedure. But the bite didn’t feel right.

Next day I experienced tooth pain. The bite was awkward, so I went back to the clinic and was treated by another dentist. X-rays showed nothing. No indications of trouble, but I was instructed to take Motrin for pain and Antibiotics as a precaution against infection. Fine. A temporary problem, right?

Okay. So over that weekend the pain spread into my gums and facial nerves. It was getting worse. I was examined by Dr. K five days later. I see no problem he said, but he filed the tooth down and adjusted the bite. No explanations. Keeping taking Alleve, he said.

So now I was beginning week two of the dental troubles. Dr. K was booked solid. I trekked uptown to be examined by Dr. M.
A trusted dentist who doesn’t accept my insurance. But at that point, I was desperate for answers.

Motrin helped, but the deep facial nerve and jaw pain was constant. I found myself dependent on Motrin, then Alleve (which was more effective). I was also concerned taking multiple NSAIDs for an extended period of time. I like to keep my liver and kidneys working as well as they can be.

Dr. M took new x-rays, examined the teeth. Then stood in front of me and said, “I have no idea what is going on with you. Maybe it’s sinus pressure.” My jaw dropped. I was frozen. The answer man had nothing to offer me. $125 for nothing.

I couldn’t figure it out. My mom was screaming over the phone that the dentist must open the cavities on the teeth that he filled with amalgam.

“The nerve is struggling…you need medicine,” mom demanded. But no dentist would open those teeth because they looked fine on the x-rays.

After four weeks, my friend Bill recommended an endodontist, Dr. W, for a consult. He didn’t accept my insurance, but I hadn’t slept well in weeks. And I was desperate.

Dr. W took x-rays (my fourth set in a month), blew cold air at my teeth and tapped them around. He seemed unbelieving of me and sent me home to take more NSAIDs and schmear Prevident on the teeth to help with any sensitivity. I was already brushing with Sensodyne.

Another another week of intense pain. So bad, I thought about finding my pliers and pulling out my molars. I traveled back uptown to Dr. W and he diagnosed the trouble.

Tooth #13 was the culprit. The tooth next to the two teeth that had cavities filled by Dr. K.

Root canal was the treatment. Just what I hoped to avoid. He was very professional. Told good stories about growing up in the East Village.

He drilled and cleaned out the canal in tooth #13. “Why this happened to you is a mystery to me. This should not have happened,” he remarked.

I was just glad to get a diagnosis. Numbed and inflamed, I rode rush hour mass transit all the way home. Downed more Alleve and passed out for the night.

The next morning I awoke drenched and dizzy. Spent three hours heaving and puking my guts out. I knew I had a virus or something wrong! Remember my mention of fatigue from above?

Thanks for nothing PCP. Not that she could have helped any. A virus has to run it’s course. But still…it sure feels like it played a role in this whole saga.

At present, the tooth is still inflamed. But 20-30% better in some respects. I am no longer dependent on the pain killers every day. I can go a day without Alleve.

The issue is not resolved, but it sure looks like it will be by next week. G-d willing the tooth will calm down and Dr. W can put in a permanent filling.

I went through nearly three years of a bad back saga to find the solution I needed. Wading through the muck of confusion, promises and anguish. This brought it all back. It’s almost 2 am. So tired, I might be able to sleep now. just might.

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