Mlgemi
03-05-2009, 04:09 AM
Ok so here is my dental story.
I'm 28 years old, I'm incredibly vane about myself. I'm a model (not famous) but nonetheless a print model.
Two Years or so ago I had gone to my dentist because I was having some discomfort on my upper #14th molar. My dentist tells me that I have a cavity that should be taken care of so we proceeded and had that done. A few weeks later I'm in incredible pain. I had my dentist check it out again and now He tells me well I thought I could've saved your molar but I need to perform a root canal on it. I'm freaking out. I've never had this done, all I know is that it is a painful procedure blah blah blah. But I went for it because what else could I do. He's drilling away, hovering over me and I just can't wait for it to be over. Finally he says well I can't do it. I'm like WHAT? How come?! I'm devastated confused in pain in agony. Well I just can't get to it he says. He covers it up with a temporary filling and that was that. He referred me to a root canal specialist. After this I couldn't imagine going to see someone else about this. I was done with it. I didn't want to deal with it anymore. A month goes by and yes there is discomfort and now I have a little bulge from my gum surrounding my 14th molar (infection). It hurt so much, I can't even begin to explain. A few months go by and I decide to see another dentist about my little problem. He looks at it and says well we're going to have to extract this one. WHAT!!!! I cried and cried and cried to him.... a total damsel in distress. How can this happen to me? OMG what am I to do?!? I'm still young this stuff doesn't happen to young people. Anyway he tells me I can get an implant put in, and explains the whole procedure. I refused and left. After that the pain just went away. There seemed to be no infection anymore. I feel great, no pain. After 7 months or so I went to see this dentist again he couldn't believe I still had my tooth. But of course if it doesn't hurt why pull it out? I know that I have an infection there but it doesn't hurt and I don't want to take my molar out. I can't see myself in that predicament. The dentist made sure I knew what were the consequences, because there is an infection my vital organs are working extra hard to keep the infection away and cause the life span of them to deteriorate (liver, kidney and so on). I have to take the tooth out and if I don't well I will just live a shorter life because of it. Isn't this just horrible? I wish I could go back in time and redo it all over again. Along with other things in my life that I wish I could redo. Yes if I had one wish I would wish to redo it all.
I'm 28 years old, I'm incredibly vane about myself. I'm a model (not famous) but nonetheless a print model.
Two Years or so ago I had gone to my dentist because I was having some discomfort on my upper #14th molar. My dentist tells me that I have a cavity that should be taken care of so we proceeded and had that done. A few weeks later I'm in incredible pain. I had my dentist check it out again and now He tells me well I thought I could've saved your molar but I need to perform a root canal on it. I'm freaking out. I've never had this done, all I know is that it is a painful procedure blah blah blah. But I went for it because what else could I do. He's drilling away, hovering over me and I just can't wait for it to be over. Finally he says well I can't do it. I'm like WHAT? How come?! I'm devastated confused in pain in agony. Well I just can't get to it he says. He covers it up with a temporary filling and that was that. He referred me to a root canal specialist. After this I couldn't imagine going to see someone else about this. I was done with it. I didn't want to deal with it anymore. A month goes by and yes there is discomfort and now I have a little bulge from my gum surrounding my 14th molar (infection). It hurt so much, I can't even begin to explain. A few months go by and I decide to see another dentist about my little problem. He looks at it and says well we're going to have to extract this one. WHAT!!!! I cried and cried and cried to him.... a total damsel in distress. How can this happen to me? OMG what am I to do?!? I'm still young this stuff doesn't happen to young people. Anyway he tells me I can get an implant put in, and explains the whole procedure. I refused and left. After that the pain just went away. There seemed to be no infection anymore. I feel great, no pain. After 7 months or so I went to see this dentist again he couldn't believe I still had my tooth. But of course if it doesn't hurt why pull it out? I know that I have an infection there but it doesn't hurt and I don't want to take my molar out. I can't see myself in that predicament. The dentist made sure I knew what were the consequences, because there is an infection my vital organs are working extra hard to keep the infection away and cause the life span of them to deteriorate (liver, kidney and so on). I have to take the tooth out and if I don't well I will just live a shorter life because of it. Isn't this just horrible? I wish I could go back in time and redo it all over again. Along with other things in my life that I wish I could redo. Yes if I had one wish I would wish to redo it all.
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Thelma-Louise
03-05-2009, 09:49 AM
This is why I never recommend others let a general dentist do a root canal - even though they often charge far less than an endo. Do yourself a big favor and find a good endodontist - root canal specialist. They have the correct tools and technology and training to make root canals pain free and save your tooth as well. Generally 2 appts and the issue is resolved. Letting the tooth just sit there with an infection is not the answer. Also b/c this is a tooth used in chewing, the tooth should have a crown put on otherwise it might fracture as some point in the future as root canals can make teeth brittle over time. Ask the endo you go to to refer you to a good dentist for the restoration.
PS I have often wished for "do overs" myself - I have a list of them now - which is good b/c you tend to never make those mistakes again in the future. At least this is one of those that can be corrected.
PS I have often wished for "do overs" myself - I have a list of them now - which is good b/c you tend to never make those mistakes again in the future. At least this is one of those that can be corrected.
Mlgemi
03-05-2009, 02:08 PM
hi!Thanks for your advice! I didn't know that at this point I could restore my molar. Is that still possible? I asked the second dentist about that and he said because the tooth is perforated that it would be tough to restore the tooth. He said this because if he did restore the tooth there is a chance the infection would return. What do you think?
taape
03-05-2009, 09:04 PM
I've learned my lesson and always ask for a referral to the endodontist. As Thelma Louise said, they have the correct tools and Experience. I didn't realize that tooth infections could be so life threatening until I experienced it myself this past summer.
My tooth hurt but not that much. By the time I went in the side of my face was swollen and I was in horrible pain. I had to take antibiotics before the procedure and only made it 3 days and then the specialist did an emergency root canal.
Teeth are located close to your head and brain. I never want to have an untreated infection there. I don't understand what the problem your first dentist ran into with the root canal but he should have refunded you your money so you could get it done correctly. I'm sorry your suffering so much. Let us know what you decide to do but I wouldn't keep an infected tooth in my body, it's too risky medically.
My tooth hurt but not that much. By the time I went in the side of my face was swollen and I was in horrible pain. I had to take antibiotics before the procedure and only made it 3 days and then the specialist did an emergency root canal.
Teeth are located close to your head and brain. I never want to have an untreated infection there. I don't understand what the problem your first dentist ran into with the root canal but he should have refunded you your money so you could get it done correctly. I'm sorry your suffering so much. Let us know what you decide to do but I wouldn't keep an infected tooth in my body, it's too risky medically.
Stribe
03-06-2009, 12:28 AM
I will slightly disagree with Thelma, some general dentists are equipt and trained well enough to do root canals correctly. Lower molars and anterior teeth usually have root canals that are so easy its sometimes easier to do the root canal than the crown. However, upper molars are the hardest to do (more roots) and are the ones I would agree should be done by an endodontist everytime.
Mlgemi
03-06-2009, 03:40 AM
Thank you for your response. Thankfully that dentist did not charge me for that failed root canal. But he did fail to tell me that the tooth was perforated and just let me know that I should get a specialist to look at it. But what I wish I would've done is sued him for the pain and discomfort I've been feeling, and because he never let me know that he had left the tooth perforated. Anyway I'm really upset about this dentist because of another tooth problem I have now because of his negligence. I was having sensitivity on a tooth that he had already made an xray of and taken care of a small cavity I had. A month later the filling comes of and of course I went back to him to have him put back the filling, and he did. Well, then after a couple of months later I am feeling some sensitivity to cold beverages. I go back to him and ask if the filling fell off or if I had a cavity. He looks at it and says no there doesn't seem to be a cavity but I will do an x ray to make sure. He does and finds no cavity. But he does say that it appears that my gum has shifted and that the tooth is a little too exposed. He suggest a sealant on that area of the tooth. I agree and continue with the procedure that took forever. And that tooth is still sensitive to cold water as of now.
Finally I went to the second dentist and I had him look at my tooth because I want to make sure that everything was alright there. He looks at it and with a naked eye says well you have a fallen filling and a cavity right next to it. I couldn't believe what he was telling me. I just couldn't believe it because then what did the other dentist do? What was all that drilling for if there is still a problem there? The second dentist takes an x ray to see how bad the cavity is and turns out that it is very close to the nerve and now I will need a root canal! I don't know what to do?! It was clear from the x ray that there is a cavity and sure enough very close to the nerve. I'm so upset because now I'm thinking that I've been getting screwed by this quack dentist for so many years. Who knows what he did to that prior molar that is perforated and now has to be pulled. What is he doing? I can't even begin to explain the frustration I'm feeling.
Finally I went to the second dentist and I had him look at my tooth because I want to make sure that everything was alright there. He looks at it and with a naked eye says well you have a fallen filling and a cavity right next to it. I couldn't believe what he was telling me. I just couldn't believe it because then what did the other dentist do? What was all that drilling for if there is still a problem there? The second dentist takes an x ray to see how bad the cavity is and turns out that it is very close to the nerve and now I will need a root canal! I don't know what to do?! It was clear from the x ray that there is a cavity and sure enough very close to the nerve. I'm so upset because now I'm thinking that I've been getting screwed by this quack dentist for so many years. Who knows what he did to that prior molar that is perforated and now has to be pulled. What is he doing? I can't even begin to explain the frustration I'm feeling.
Stribe
03-06-2009, 10:10 AM
Mlgemi,
Ask your second dentist if the tooth can be saved without a root canal. If he says no, I would say find a third opinion. If the tooth is only sensitive and does not spontaneously cause pain you do not need a root canal. This is called reversible pulpitis, and as the name suggests it can be fixed. You will know when it becomes irreversible if one of two things happen:
1) Spontaneous pain
2) Tooth throbs for more than 30 seconds after cold water/air/icecream touches it
There is a short window however, as reversible can become irreversible fairly quickly.
If its been less than 2 years, you can still call your state dental board and log a complaint. You might even be able to sue him. Perferations happen, and thats not the issue. However, NOT telling you is negligence.
Ask your second dentist if the tooth can be saved without a root canal. If he says no, I would say find a third opinion. If the tooth is only sensitive and does not spontaneously cause pain you do not need a root canal. This is called reversible pulpitis, and as the name suggests it can be fixed. You will know when it becomes irreversible if one of two things happen:
1) Spontaneous pain
2) Tooth throbs for more than 30 seconds after cold water/air/icecream touches it
There is a short window however, as reversible can become irreversible fairly quickly.
If its been less than 2 years, you can still call your state dental board and log a complaint. You might even be able to sue him. Perferations happen, and thats not the issue. However, NOT telling you is negligence.
Thelma-Louise
03-06-2009, 11:43 AM
I would still see an endo - and maybe its due to my experience with root canals so far - but I have had 5 done - 2 by general dentists and 3 by the same endo. The first 2 done by a general dentist eventually had to be retreated as a slight infection developed at the very tip or base of the root which btw often appears as just a slight occasional throbbing or sensitivity and the others done by the endo never gave me any other problems. Unless the general dentist has the right tools to get to this and knows what he is looking for its going to be missed or thought to be insignificant. Personally if comes down to losing a tooth or seeing an endo - I would just go for the consult to see what they would recommend and if there is a chance of saving it.
Mlgemi
03-06-2009, 02:24 PM
Thank you for your response. I feel a little better knowing that I might not need a root canal. It doesn't hurt unless I have something cold, And it never hurts for 30 seconds, just for a few seconds after I drink a cold beverage.
Honestly, I feel like every dentist out there is trying to make money out of patients. I feel like they will go out of their way to make the procedure complicated so then I would have to pay more. I don't think they are looking out for my interest and rather I pay for a 1000 dollar root canal instead of a cavity filling procedure.
Honestly, I feel like every dentist out there is trying to make money out of patients. I feel like they will go out of their way to make the procedure complicated so then I would have to pay more. I don't think they are looking out for my interest and rather I pay for a 1000 dollar root canal instead of a cavity filling procedure.
Stribe
03-06-2009, 07:51 PM
Mlgemi,
Unfortunantly, some dentists are crooks (just like some people in EVERY profession). You could probably look at any profession and see about 10% unethical and another 20% either too old or too stupid/unskilled to do their job correctly...unfortunantly dentistry is no different than any other in this respect. Good news is, this leaves a good majority who can treat you correctly. The trick is finding a good one. A few pointers:
1) Ask questions! A dentist who does not have time to answer a few questions will not have time to do a decent job.
2) Avoid dental mills. This pretty much means any location with more than 2 dentists. They generally focus too much on production and less on quality or patient care.
3) Price- Do not go for the highest, but absolutely not the lowest half either. You get what you pay for, and in healthcare thats not worth the risk.
4) Age - Dentistry is an ever changing profession. Many older dentists are set in their ways and have not paid attention to a single CE course in decades. This means they are not up to date on the best techniques or materials (example is diagnosing your tooth as needing a root canal). Typically younger dentists have been trained with the better ways of doing things.
5) Referrals! Find a friend or family member and see how they like their dentist.
6) Similar to #5, talk to the dental staff. You might be surprised what some of them will say if asked the right questions.
I hope this helps. Not all of us are so horrible ;) Good luck in your search!
Unfortunantly, some dentists are crooks (just like some people in EVERY profession). You could probably look at any profession and see about 10% unethical and another 20% either too old or too stupid/unskilled to do their job correctly...unfortunantly dentistry is no different than any other in this respect. Good news is, this leaves a good majority who can treat you correctly. The trick is finding a good one. A few pointers:
1) Ask questions! A dentist who does not have time to answer a few questions will not have time to do a decent job.
2) Avoid dental mills. This pretty much means any location with more than 2 dentists. They generally focus too much on production and less on quality or patient care.
3) Price- Do not go for the highest, but absolutely not the lowest half either. You get what you pay for, and in healthcare thats not worth the risk.
4) Age - Dentistry is an ever changing profession. Many older dentists are set in their ways and have not paid attention to a single CE course in decades. This means they are not up to date on the best techniques or materials (example is diagnosing your tooth as needing a root canal). Typically younger dentists have been trained with the better ways of doing things.
5) Referrals! Find a friend or family member and see how they like their dentist.
6) Similar to #5, talk to the dental staff. You might be surprised what some of them will say if asked the right questions.
I hope this helps. Not all of us are so horrible ;) Good luck in your search!