[Faydra Lune]

Hello! New to this site and hoping you all can help me out.

I've been seeing this dentist for many (WAY too many) months and he recently filled a cavity that he said "wasn't bad." Right after the visit, the tooth was abnormally sensitive. I mentioned it and he said to give it some time (out next visit was in another couple days.)

He then had to reschedule my appointment for another TWO WEEKS because he was out of town (or something) and the pain got worse and worse until I couldn't think straight or sleep at night. When we finally had out appointment, I told him all of this and he did the tap test to deduce that it was the tooth he had just worked on (which I already knew.) He took an x-ray and said you couldn't see anything except for a chip in the tooth by the gum that was messing with the nerve.

Then he took the root out. I didn't even realize he had done it. He said he was going to open up the tooth and clean it, but I didn't realize I was in for another $1000+ root canal. He said he was going to prescribe me some meds for the pain and then left.

I mean, he actually left the office. Without telling his assistant what to prescribe me or even what he did and when our next appointment would be. I didn't even know he took the root out until later (I'll get to that.) Apparently he had run off to lunch without following up with anyone.

So the very nice girl behind the counter called in the prescriptions for the pain meds which I picked up later that day. The following day, the pain was all back. That's when I called to double check if the root was out and she confirmed it was. I told her I needed antibiotics because I think there's an infection, so I've been on those since Wed or Thurs (I think Wed night.) The pain has lessened a bit to where I can function during the day, but night time is still pretty miserable. I can't function without (too much) ibuprofen during the day.

What worries me for my next appointment (besides all the obvious WTF, DOC) is this: aren't you supposed to eliminate the infection BEFORE you remove the root? Is this gonna mess up the tooth? Shouldn't I not be in so much pain if the root is gone?

[Bryanna]

Hi Faydra Lune,

Was the tooth extracted or root canaled??

A root canal procedure does not remove the roots of the tooth. They are still intact in the bone. The procedure attempts to clean the "inside" of each root. This procedure is done to allow the patient to "retain" their tooth until the infection becomes severe. The only other option would be to extract the tooth. So a root canal and a root removal (extraction) or two completely different procedures.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to clean the infected nerve tissue completely out of the tooth so the tooth will always be unhealthy. The medications may or may not temporarily subside the inflammation so your symptoms may or may not lessen. But the meds do not make the tooth healthy again. The only way to "cure" the infection is to extract the tooth.

Your dentist should have informed you of your choices with this tooth. He should not have assumed you wanted it root canaled. The choice would have been extraction or root canal. However, I am unsure if the tooth actually needed either of those things based on your description!

Perhaps you should seek a new dentist.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Faydra Lune

Hello! New to this site and hoping you all can help me out.

I've been seeing this dentist for many (WAY too many) months and he recently filled a cavity that he said "wasn't bad." Right after the visit, the tooth was abnormally sensitive. I mentioned it and he said to give it some time (out next visit was in another couple days.)

He then had to reschedule my appointment for another TWO WEEKS because he was out of town (or something) and the pain got worse and worse until I couldn't think straight or sleep at night. When we finally had out appointment, I told him all of this and he did the tap test to deduce that it was the tooth he had just worked on (which I already knew.) He took an x-ray and said you couldn't see anything except for a chip in the tooth by the gum that was messing with the nerve.

Then he took the root out. I didn't even realize he had done it. He said he was going to open up the tooth and clean it, but I didn't realize I was in for another $1000+ root canal. He said he was going to prescribe me some meds for the pain and then left.

I mean, he actually left the office. Without telling his assistant what to prescribe me or even what he did and when our next appointment would be. I didn't even know he took the root out until later (I'll get to that.) Apparently he had run off to lunch without following up with anyone.

So the very nice girl behind the counter called in the prescriptions for the pain meds which I picked up later that day. The following day, the pain was all back. That's when I called to double check if the root was out and she confirmed it was. I told her I needed antibiotics because I think there's an infection, so I've been on those since Wed or Thurs (I think Wed night.) The pain has lessened a bit to where I can function during the day, but night time is still pretty miserable. I can't function without (too much) ibuprofen during the day.

What worries me for my next appointment (besides all the obvious WTF, DOC) is this: aren't you supposed to eliminate the infection BEFORE you remove the root? Is this gonna mess up the tooth? Shouldn't I not be in so much pain if the root is gone?

[Faydra Lune]

Ack, meant to say NERVE. He removed the NERVE.

I will definitely be seeking a new dentist. I'm going to talk to a new dentist about the previous work, as well, specifically on this tooth.

I really have no doubt there was an infection, but I didn't know if there needed to be a root canal involved and I am certain it is because he did a poor job with the cavity. I suppose, at this point, I'm trying to figure out a polite way to say "I'm not paying for your mistake." I don't think there is lol.