Backpacking with tooth pain

[rlown]

it's not about being a Marine. It's about prepping for a trip, and if you know you have an issue you deal with it before leave, or you have to press your spot device or make me have to use my pliers.

Gutting it through is ok to get out after a problem. Not ok if you know you have preexisting conditions that put you at further risk. My root canal was failed, but the tooth was stable and dead and packed. It couldn't have hurt me in the 10 days I was out.


DaveB.. loved the reference!!

[longri]

Maverick -- I'm not a dentist. And I understand that money is part of the equation.

In my own experience the years of extra time that root canals (which eventually failed) bought me was well worth it in both cases. But your mileage may vary.

In terms of the backcountry who knows how someone will respond to whatever treatment they choose. For myself the only period of time that I've been worried was when my first implant was in the process of failing. While that was going on I routinely carried antibiotics on longer trips in case it progressed to an infection.

[rlown]

i had a post put in in '74. she failed in '91. and the implant replaced the old style post is fine. #9..
I reiterate, if you have pain or known problems, take care of it at least a month (or two) before you go out. agree though, carry the antibiotics.. Still a preplan prep.

russ

[maverick]

Longri wrote:
For myself the only period of time that I've been worried was when my first
implant was in the process of failing. While that was going on I routinely
carried antibiotics on longer trips in case it progressed to an infection.

Great, so the implants can occasionally get infected, so there is no real better
avenue to take. How long did your root canals last? Seems like stocking up
on some antibiotics and vicodin for my backcountry trips will be a routine
procedure from here on.

[RobS]

I am a dentist and see patients weekly with acute pain and infection. Acute pain from a fractured tooth, an acute abscess, or an acute abscess from a failed root canal would definitely be a trip ender for me. I would hike out unless I was somehow able to manage the pain.

[oldranger]

Russ,

You missed my point, no problem for Mav to handle he plier thing.

Mike

[rlown]

I am a dentist and see patients weekly with acute pain and infection. Acute pain from a fractured tooth, an acute abscess, or an acute abscess from a failed root canal would definitely be a trip ender for me. I would hike out unless I was somehow able to manage the pain.

Very cool, RobS! glad we finally got direct dental advice on this thread. You're going to become popular to hike with.

And Mav, everything can get infected and fail. Just make the choice and get it done. What wasn't mentioned is the "throb, throb, throb" that comes with toothpain while hiking. it's still there even with pain killers on-board.

[maverick]

RobS,

PM sent.

[longri]

Great, so the implants can occasionally get infected, so there is no real better
avenue to take. How long did your root canals last? Seems like stocking up
on some antibiotics and vicodin for my backcountry trips will be a routine
procedure from here on.

My root canals lasted different lengths of time (about 2 and 8 years) and did not fail catastrophically. The extractions were not emergencies. But personal anecdotes have limited value.