you have my validation. it seems to me, no matter what, that if you feel strongly you want to keep your tooth and feel like dentist #1 is not exploring all options, you need to get a second opinion.

no reason why NOT to.

If your budget can absorb the out-of-network costs, I don't think there's any strong argument against it. And maybe that dentist can recommend a simpatico colleague that is covered for subsequent routine care.

Tep, it's your body, your teeth. If you're not satisfied with the care you're getting, by all means, see someone else. You are always your own best advocate, and sometimes the only one who's going to advocate for the care you want.

What le nubian said - any doctor that's being dismissive of what you'd like to have happen with your own body is not someone who deserves your loyalty. And I totally get you on wanting to keep your own teeth - I got my first crown this year and was all, "But it's not Original Parts! I liked having all my original parts!" So I absolutely validate you going to Tim's dentist.

So, I'm gonna be Birthday Attention Ho now - because I'm at work. And I NEVER work on my birthday. But my boss really needed this week off, and we can't both be out (because we're the only two who can manage the software I'm in charge of), and I've had my last 7 birthdays off, so I had to be a grownup and let my boss have it this year. But no one's paying Birthday Attention to meeeee! t /whine. I am, however, wearing a spangly "Princess" shirt, and crown hairclips from Disney, and every piece of jewelry with a crown I could find this morning (which is kind of a lot). I decided I really needed to embrace my own ridiculousness.

Anyway, 41 today - only one more year till I finally have the Answer!

I'm 42 and there are no answers. just more body creaks.

Happy Birfday!

No, I would switch.

When I had really bad swelling like that, I had a couple of antibiotics but also a steroid of some sort to get it to go down. I would definitely want to try more on that front before pulling.

I'm 42 and there are no answers. just more body creaks.

Perhaps the answer's in the creaks somehow? If you could just find a way to play them backwards like a heavy metal record maybe?

Happy Birfday!

Fank you!

Steph, I validate you and agree with the previous people that you ought to follow your gut instinct here. And switching dentists mid-procedure shouldn't be a problem; it's a root canal, not a mind-meld!

I got the answer, but we're not supposed to tell. Sorry.

Epic, I sympathize. Every year I say I don't care about my birthday, and then when it comes I'm all, why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit?

(I mistyped "validate" and "validfate". Almost kept it.)

Happy birthday, Epic! I got to 42 and was told to rephrase the question.

If an antibiotic isn't showing any improvement now, it's not going to magically show improvement in 10 days. I think a second opinion is always in order and well worth it in the case of a tooth.