Dental Work

[waverebel]

Ive finally got my first two cavities, they are not major but just started. Question ? I dont feel any pain from them when Im flying now, will I when I start flying at higher altitudes ?( I currently am staying between 3000 and 6000 MSL.)

When I get them filled, will I notice a difference in the comfort level at higher altitudes due to the fillings?

I posted this in the medical forum but would appreciate advice from anyone who has had experience with cavities in the cockpit. I assume quite a few people have had the issue come up. Remember to floss.

[Kristie]

I moved this to the medical forum for you as i didn't see any posting about it in there...plus, it belongs more in the med forum vs Dr. Forreds since your inquiring about other's opinions and all.

[TonyC]

If they're filled properly, there will be no problems.



The only thing that could cause discomfort would be trapped air -- nothing that competent dentist would do.






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[My Flight Surgeon]

There will be no problems after the dentist fills them. If they go unfilled and you get an infection in the root of the tooth, altitude will make you think you should have all of your teeth pulled. It is very important to have cavities filled immediately. The pain from a tooth abcess can be incapacitating.

[murl]

I have a good friend that is a dentist, I can get his input if you need it just PM me.

[My Flight Surgeon]

The problem with cavities, especially deep ones, is the increasing pressure within the tooth as one ascends----->PAIN

[Monty]

It shouldn't be a problem at all. I flew the day after a root canal, and have never had any pain whatsoever out of it.

[Bandit_Driver]

I was always told to wait at lease 24 hour before flying to let any trapped air (if any) to be absorbed by the body.....

[My Flight Surgeon]

I think that is good advice. If you have ever had a root canal, you will not want to fly with air in a restoration

[flyguy]

I've got quite a few cavities and have never noticed pain when I fly. The only way you'd have a problem is if the dentist did a poor job and didn't fill it completely. If that happens, go back to the dentist and have them re-fill it.

[Bandit_Driver]

Originally Posted by flyguy

I've got quite a few cavities and have never noticed pain when I fly. The only way you'd have a problem is if the dentist did a poor job and didn't fill it completely. If that happens, go back to the dentist and have them re-fill it.

I've only had pain twice while flying. Once from a jagged edge on a composite filling which required a tad more grinding. The other I assumed was from trapped air as it went away after my 2nd day of flying.

[jrh]

Once I had a passenger experience a great deal of pain during a descent out of 10,000+ feet. I'm not sure why...I always thought tooth pain only came during climbs, but I guess not.

It was quite an experience for me, too. I had to focus on flying while my buddy was in the back seat, literally screaming in pain. He later compared the pain to biffing it on his skateboard and slamming his face into a curb. He said it was one of the worst things he'd ever felt.

I leveled off and flew a hold at 4000 feet for about 10 minutes, until his pain eased off, then descended the rest of the way in at only 300 or 400 fpm. He said his tooth got better, but he had a dull ache for the rest of the day.

Anybody have any idea what happened? I'd never heard of flying affecting one's dental work so severely. I have one cavity filled and never feel a thing.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It has been reported. Actually, in the early days of military aviation, they did not let people with fillings fly (obviously dentistry has come a long way). Pain can occur with both an increased pressure on ascent and a decreased pressure on descent (just like in the ears).

[aviatorrbt]

On a less serious note, I just got 6 wisdom teeth removed... for those do not know, a person is only supposed to have 4... I couldn't eat any food for like a month without having it get stuck in the holes. NOT fun.

[Bandit_Driver]

Originally Posted by aviatorrbt

On a less serious note, I just got 6 wisdom teeth removed... for those do not know, a person is only supposed to have 4... I couldn't eat any food for like a month without having it get stuck in the holes. NOT fun.

Man I feel your pain. I had 8 teeth removed years ago 4 Impacted wisdom and 4 bicuspids. Two of which became absessed after the procedure.

Make sure you gargle with the warm salt water often.


I hope you were knocked out for the procedure and hope you feel better soon. Watch out for peanuts. Don't try them to you are sure the bone has grown back in the holes.