Hi Bex, thanks for all that info. I have been pondering the local anesthetic question for a while, and wondering where to go with that. I think I'll have to do some research to see what is out there--thanks for the heads-up. I am actually considering not using any at all, as I went without any the last two times that I had fillings put in. I was gripping the chair to be sure, but not out of pain so much as simply the anticipation of pain. It felt like a very mild electric current, but nothing more. I just don't like those kinds of local anesthetics to begin with, and will do anything to get around using them if at all possible.

As far as timing for getting my crowns replaced, it will be at least the middle of November to early December before I can get the first one done. I need to wait for approval of my dentist's estimate to my insurance company before I can start. Once that is done, I plan on getting one CEREC placed, and then will wait at least another month to see if I have any acute reactions before getting the other two done. I will keep you posted on whatever happens from here. For now, I will probably focus on getting my immune system built up before any work gets done. Thanks again for all of the information Bex, you have been such an invaluable resource on this forum.

Phxcoop, please keep us updated on what you continue to find out with the tooth re-growth research. This is fascinating news, and I hope that this will be a promising way for us on this forum to someday deal with our existing tooth issues without having to place foreign materials in our mouths. What you were experiencing with your temporary crowns was one of my only concerns with this--namely what do we do during the transition period between having defective teeth, and re-growing them back to relative health? Have you ran across any testimonies of what people have tried successfully so far during this transition phase? If so, can you forward some links to us? Thanks for sharing this info, this is good stuff! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,
Jason