Have had quadrant sub debridement treatments x 2. Went back today to have pockets etc measured. Generally much improved. However, have been advised to have 2 teeth removed as less improvement here and concern is that gum disease will spread to better areas. Am now panicking about whether this is the right thing to do.

First tooth is upper right molar (numbered 6 - i.e. third from back). In March the Buccal pocket was 764. It is now 443. The Palatal pocket was 650. It is now 537. The dentist says there is considerable bone loss here. It has no tooth below it and has dropped slightly (although it was "filed" and then filled so looks good!). They say long term prognosis is poor and suggested no other solution.

Second tooth is upper left molar (numbered 7 - i.e. second from back). In March the Buccal pocket was 678. It is now 356. The Palatal pocket was 637. It is now 436. This tooth had a root canal treatment many years ago, subsequently broke and was filed down and filled. It has grade 1 mobility. Dentist initially suggested
a further deep clean and antibiotics but explained that situation might be no better in three months time. I told dentist that of the two teeth, I would have expected to loose the second one (and would be less worried about this as it is further back and less noticeable). It was then suggested that, in that case, it should be removed rather than treated further.

HELP! Am I right to go ahead with both extractions?

I asked the dentist what she would suggest to fill the noticeable gap if the first tooth was removed. She said she could remove the root and put the tooth back in (using wires!). Will that work and is it a normal thing to do?


I

Sorry, but if I actually saw your mouth, I could probably answer this question a lot better. Are you in dentistry as well, you seem to have the terminology down pat?

As for the wire question; I would say same as you to (wires! ). Is she meaning a partial plate and I would have to say, don't do that! I would need that explained because I don't know of it in modern dentistry. Would this not need a bridge to fill the gap from tooth to tooth?

What country do you live in by the way, Canada or USA?

I worked for a dentist and an endodontist for quite some time, so I feel confident saying get a second opinion.

On the wires, was it perhaps a implant, where it is screwed into the bone

No I'm not in dentistry - wish I was so that I could make an informed decision! Dentist gave me a print out showing the results of last review, so pocket measurements came from there.
I think my teeth look quite good - they are certainly not neglected or discoloured etc. I probably had some unnecessary fillings as a child and, although I have always looked after them, I did not get the message about flossing until more recent years! However, for several years now, I have been using interdental brushes, flossing and then brushing with an electric toothbrush twice per day.
When I looked more closely at the print out from my Dentist, my ignorant response was to think that the pocket measurements for the two teeth had improved - and yet my Dentist told me they hadn't.
The other thing that I have never been told before is that gum disease could spread from these two areas to healthier ones and that removing the two teeth should prevent this. Is that right?
I live in the UK and I too have never heard of an extracted tooth being replaced to fill a gap. My Dentist mentioned fixing it with a filling and wires (but was really thinking out loud rather than explaining the process to me!). I am positive that we are not talking about an implant or bridge because neither of these options were even suggested. Also, my quote shows "Extraction £81. Other work £90" - bridges and implants cost a lot more than this! However, I am worried about what has been suggested because I don't want a "bodged" job!
To get a second opinion, should I just find a private dentist and ask for a one-off appointment?
Any help much appreciated!!

As far as I know, and I am pretty sure that an extracted tooth is never used, held in place by wires, to fill a gap where the tooth came out. You probably know all the ways this is done by reading, a dental implant, a bridge, a nesbitt, are the only solutions to filling gaps for missing teeth. Unless of course, the is a 'break through' dentist and has invented something new! I don't think so though. I would have heard about it.

As to periodontal disease (gum disease) have never heard of an isolated area and teeth coming out solving a gum disease problem for good. The only way to get rid of gum disease for good and have a healthy mouth back is periodontal surgery (very expensive) which is cutting away of the portions of diseased gums; new tissue grows back in, healthy and strong after this.

Yes, get a second opinion with a private dentist; make it known it is for a second opinion so you don't get the whole spiel about solutions and costs.

Let us know what you find out. It should be interesting, and good luck with this. Anything like this in a mouth is a daunting process and money spent, so you must get your money's worth and know exactly what will happen.

Tick

on the wires, was it perhaps a implant, where it is screwed into the bone

No, not screwed into the bone, that would be counter-productive because the bone cannot be damaged. The business end of the 'tooth' looks like a blade, and is called a subperiosteal implant. However, screws are used, with a minuscule plate, to fuse the tooth and bone, therefore holding the 'tooth' in place.