I live in north Africa and need some advice. I'm having pain when drinking hot or cold. If I am not careful, the pain rediates and lasts for hours. I saw the dentist and there is no obvious cause. It doesn't hurt to chew or tap on it. But definitely sensitive and he said I need root canal treatment but because of the location of the tooth (upper right 7, in my small mouth) the work would be too difficult. He offered an alternative of filling it with some substance that would kill the root and when sure there is no pain, closing with a filling. However, he warned me that the substance is a suspected carcinogenic. I can not find any literature locally. What is the substance? What are the risks? Is it worth saving this tooth? I had all 4 implacted wisdom teeth surgically removed years ago. Also the upper 5's for orthodontics work when I was young, later a lower 1 because of crowding. I am down to 25 teeth and would like to keep this one.

Margaret, N. Africa

Dr. Marcarian: The classic symptoms of root canal infection is throbbing pain and inability of chewing on it.  Your symptoms sound more like a gum recession (sensitive to hot and cold with lingering pain).  Try fluoride applications (tooth paste with more fluoride, or fluoride mouth rinses), this will help but will not take care of the problem right away.  Of course, it is difficult to diagnose your condition without x-ray and exam, but I would stay away from root canal if the tooth does not hurt when you chew on it.  It is always best to rely on your doctors advise.