Root canal of an abscessed tooth and restoration; and time?

Hi,





I have an abscessed tooth (premolar) and I'm thinking about going to the dentist this Thursday or Friday. However, I've read that it may take more than one visit -- that there'll be an x-ray, a few days for antibiotics, back to the dentist for the actual root canal, and then permanent restoration of the tooth?





What I want to know is how long (in days) will this process be, roughly? From the first visit (x-ray check-up) to the last (tooth restoration). And recovery.





I'm going overseas in about three weeks (18th or 22nd of January, '08). If I go to the dentist this Thursday/Friday, is there enough time for the whole process and a full recovery so I can make my trip overseas?





Or should I wait until I return in late February to go to the dentist?





That's my main question out of the way, but just out of worried curiosity . . . how much will it hurt? I've read the worst/most painful root canals are on abscessed teeth. =(





Answers will be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Root canal of an abscessed tooth and restoration; and time?
I would go now and see what the story is. Maybe it is just an irritation that can be cleared up. But also maybe it is something serious, and an antibiotic will be needed to clear things up. What if it gets more serious while you are overseas, would you want to go to a dentist there and ruin your trip. I would go now and start the ball rolling, if it is something that would take time you could start and then by the time you come back it could be finished. Good luck!
Reply:There are a lot of variables here. You are cutting it close for time even if you don't have any problems...and problems are common. If you have any flexibility to postpone your trip, you probably should. Don't worry too much about the pain issue. Dentistry has come a long way. It's not the trauma it used to be. If you truly have an abcess, MUST NOT wait until February to take care of it. That could result in you losing your tooth all together or getting a massive bone infection, or worse. Also, flying with a bad tooth can be excruciating due to cabin pressurization and they ain't a gonna land for you. Sorry for the news.
Reply:GET THE ROOTCANAL YOU USUALLY CAN WAIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR THE CROWN THE ONLY THING IS YOU DONT WANT TO WAIT TO LONG BECAUSE THE TOOTH WILL BECOME BRITTLE THAT IS WHY THE CROWN IS PLACE, IF YOU ARE IN PAIN NOW THEY MAY WANT TO PLACE YOU ON ANTIBIOTICS FOR A FEW DAYS BECAUSE YOU COULD HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A HOT TOOTH THEY ARE HARD TO GET NUMB THEY WILL KNOW AS SOON AS YOU HAVE THE XRAY AND DO AN EXAM BUT DONT PUT IT OFF
Reply:Don't wait! If the abscess gets worse while you're overseas, it will ruin your trip. The dentist could do a partial root canal--he/she will drill it out to relieve the infection, pack it with antibiotics, and put a temporary filling in until you come back. But really, if the tooth is abscessed, the dentist will probably do a root canal on the spot, probably 2 hours start to finish and a day or two for recovery. You'll be numbed up and won't feel a thing, though you may be pretty swollen afterwards. If you don't have a good insurance plan, you're looking at 800 bucks...
Reply:okay you need to go as son as you can I also had an abbsessed tooth that was really swelled up and hurt like heck and I had to have a root canal and it was on thanksging so I had to just get meds from the er until the next week when the dentist office was open and they said it would have been so much easier it I diodnt have to wait BUT anyways





it will take a few visits my first visit he poke a hole in my gums to get the sweeling down but since it was so swelled he couldnt do it that day so I had to go back again (you might not have to it depends on how bad yours is swelled) this time he took the nerve out and pout a temp crown on it then the 3rd visit he took the temp out and fixed a mold for my perm crown then I had to go back to be fittied and have the perm crown put on but last was the last visit there was about 4 days to a week between those visits but it was mainly b/c I couldnt get off off work so just talk to your dentiust and you should be able to have it done in time as for feeling like it you will feel uncomfortable and hurting the first day but after than its mostly just discomfort from trying to get used to the fillings and crown I went to work the next day after I ahd mine and I went th church and shopping that noght after having it done





so It does take 2-4 visit depending on how bad it is if you have ANY questions email me and I will be glad to help