Pulp exposed?

how do you know the pulp is exposed?

if it is, you can possibly try a "pulp cap"

this is a medicated material (i call mine "Dycal" which is a brand name of calcium hydroxide) that the dnetist places OVER the pulp. THen s/he usually puts a temporary filling over that. (no sense in putting on a regular filling if you end up needing extraction or root canal.

the whole shabang should cost you less than $200, i would hope; depends on where you live.

as for no insurance and unemployed... well, if you end up needing a root canal (or extraction and some kind of bridge or whatever) try a local university w/ a dentla school, if you have one anywhere near you. this'll be cheaper in the long run, if more time consuming.

if it's a back most molar and won't leave a gap, just have it taken out...you probably won't miss it much. I HATE to say that but i have a lot of patients in your boat, and i'm TRAINED to save teeth, but sometimes you just ahve to be practical.

as far as a "crown" per se, this is a going to cost you from 800 to 1200 dollars if you actually get a crown, so if you have soem savings, that's great, but my unemployed patients usually dont' get crowns, i'm afraid. I hope this helps, and i hope it works out for you! godo luck, and email me if you have any more questions!

(if you live in new england, i'll be happy to take a look at it too!!)

well, I am not a dentist but have had lots of work done. There is probably nothing that can be done except a root canal. That will then need a post and crown later on. All told? Your looking at $1000 or more depending on your dentist. You can try and find a dental school that does work. They are far less expensive, (usually half), but the work is done by students and takes a lot longer per visit. (its not shoddy work by the way cause there are instructors always on hand. It can be nerve wracking though to be in the chair for that long.)

There is a possibility that a filling could be created on your existing tooth without a root canal. Without knowing how big the cavity is its hard to say. If its a small cavity, ask about a sedative filling and whether that will work or not. this is probably a more temporary fix than a root canal. They can then put a regular filling in and buy you a few more years or possibly a life time for that tooth.

Or.... if you can get some one to do a temporary fix. Get a job that has dental insurance and go from there.

Or do the extraction..... Usually less than $100

I'd consider your age, the location of the tooth, and the likely hood that it will affect you to not have that tooth there. Many other teeth move after you remove their neighbors. Not always the right decision.

Good luck!

if the pulp is exposed, you need a root canal treatment. Only after the treatment you can have your crown fixed. You are not having pain because the tooth is open & the infection is getting drained out continiously, if it is filled or if food gets stuck in the cavity, you will have sevear pain because you are touching the pulp & the drainage is blocked causing tension in the tooth.

root canal is more expensive and extraction is only like 100-150. Maybe there is free clinic in your area....