Root canal retreatment?

08-25-2005, 07:17 PM

Oh boy...here's my story if you are interested.
1. Started working for a dental office that was only interested in money. I had a large filling done and afterwards it was really uncomfortable. I told the dentist and he told me it was normal. I kept harping on it and he told the assistant to deal with me. She said it was normal. I kept insisting that it was hurting and they told me to give it a few months to "settle". When I quit 2 months later, in pain with this tooth, I went to another dentist.

2. By this time, the new dentist said the tooth was abscessed and needed a root canal. Excellent....

3. I have the root canal. Was great for a few months then I'm back to agony. The temporary filling had a hole in it so I went back to the dentist, figuring bacteria and germs were gettting into the root canal. I ask if it would be best to get a crown put on and they say it is okay to wait and seal up the hole without cleaning it out. This was the assistant, I didn't even get to see the dentist that day.

4. Still in excruciating pain, I go back. Why, the root canal has failed! Seems bacteria has reinfected the root. I now have to either 1) lose the tooth which I really don't want to do or 2) try again, but the success rate is lower. I don't have insurance and the first one cost $700 and this one will probably cost more.

Any tips???? I really don't want to lose the tooth and do a bridge but I'd hate to waste all that money if it won't work. Why are dentists so expensive???

08-26-2005, 03:05 PM

I had the same problem. My root canal retreatment, however, came years after the first one. I was told that I needed another root canal but if that did not work I would need an apiectomy which runs between850 and 1000 dollars. Well, surprise, surprise, that is what I am now facing. It probably is actually cheaper in the long run than a bridge. I wish you the best of luck. It is awful to have dental pain. I don't think there is anything quite like it.

08-26-2005, 03:23 PM

after a root canal is done it is important to protect that investment with at least a permanent filling if not a crown. unfortunately you are past that point now

. what tooth is it?

retreatment works, and is ok. but remember to put something permanent on top of it. temporary materials are notorious for leaking bacteria which is why you are supposed to have something else put in afterwards.

teeth do two things,...
1) aesthetics - front tooth? i'd say save it.
2) function - back tooth? you'll have a space if you have it extracted, but you save some money by having it extracted. as long as you can still eat you are good to go.

08-27-2005, 04:19 PM

I went through something pretty similar--root canal, root canal retreatment, crown--but none of it worked because the tooth had a fractured root (which no one knew until after it was extracted). It was a lower molar, and I just left the hole there. I can still eat, so it's really been no big deal. But of course, if it were a front tooth, I would have done something to replace it, not just leave a hole there!

08-27-2005, 07:10 PM

If you want to increase your chances of success w/ re-treatment, have it done by someone w/ does it alot. If you trust your dentist then great, if he recommends seeing a specialist, do it. You're already spending lot's of money, do it once.

08-28-2005, 07:13 AM

It is my second to last tooth on the bottom left, so I use it ALOT! I would like to save the tooth definitely but I'm nervous about the success rates of a retreatment.

08-28-2005, 02:51 PM

If you are having the root canal re-done by the same dentist that did the first root canal, they shoud not charge you the full price the second time. The endodontist who did mine actually did the retreatment for free, and then still gave me a 50% refund when I had the tooth extracted. If your dentist hasn't discussed pricing for the retreatment w/ you, I would ask about it. Good luck . . . I know what you're going through.

Root canal retreatment?

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