Hey... don't be sorry about anything. Threads like this are great. I know there is a wealth of info on the medical sites and sites which deal with certain topics, but there's nothing wrong with going the extra mile here at the Café. Helped me out more than once.

I can't speak to your problem directly, but I can offer one piece of advice regarding prevention of the need for a root canal and crown. Don't eat Pork Picnic Shoulder Chops. The little bones can easily cause a cracked molar, or, in my case, two. Of course, I am one of the rare people who have four nerves in each of the lower large molars and guess what. The bastard charged me extra for the "extra" nerves. The nerve!!!