One thing after another...hole/cavity in root canal

[claireytoo]

So I'm back again. After managing to get my broken root canal (1st upper molar) extracted after 18months of fear. It wasn't as bad as I thought and has healed OK (now 6 weeks on).
I'm booked to have my lower right wisdom tooth extracted on Thursday. Again petrified. But have been prescribed diazepam and I'm committed to getting it done while I'm still in Thailand and it is more affordable!!

When I first arrived in Thailand April 2024 I got off the plane with a swollen face from a cracked upper back molar I had been ignoring pain for months.
They performed a root canal and advised a crown, but Inhave been unable to afford this.

Now, 2 days before my wisdom extraction I have noticed a small hole and some discoloration on the root canal performed last year. I think I need to focus on getting thru this before starting to worry about the root canal. It's all too much with what seems like a new problem arising eash time I get another fixed.

I guess my question is, how long can I wait to address the hole/cavity/failed root canal? And whether a retreatment or maybe just another filling would be options while I try to save for a crown might be an option?
It seems quite small and it isn't causing any pain and there is no swelling or redness (at the moment)!! I only have 2 more weeks before I return to the UK. And although treatment there is more costly, I've had about all I can take with constant dental treatments and then ensuing anxiety whilst here. Plus I'm worried about the recovery from the wisdom extraction before starting new treatment. Again.

Totally fed up, constantly in a state of freeze from anxiety. Seems the more I try and take care of my teeth. The more problems arise. But I suppose they were always there. I'd been avoiding dentists after a rather uncaring chap who berated me for letting 'things get this bad' 3 years ago. I left in tears after a panic attack and didnt return to fix the tooth which ended up being the one K had to get extracted 6 weeks ago.
My oral hygiene had really suffered after years of depression, general dental fear and lack of funds.

Thanks for taking the time to read this slightly rambling post if you got this far!

 

[Stewart]

Youve already got over the worst in the previous appointment. The previous appointment will have set you free. Hold your head high with confidence, there is nothing to be anxious about as youve been for treatment already and seen there is nothing to be anxious over.

The anxiety is imagined, its not real.

You will meet these issues head on as you already have done and will succeed. Good luck.

 

[Gordon]

I guess my question is, how long can I wait to address the hole/cavity/failed root canal? And whether a retreatment or maybe just another filling would be options while I try to save for a crown might be an option?

Chances are they put in a temporary filling over the root canal as they thought you'd be doing a crown soon. Mention it before they do the extraction and they can probably patch things up while you're going numb for the extraction. It'll be fine.

 

[claireytoo]

@Gordon thanks for the reply. sadly the RCT is on the upper left and the wisdom is lower left. It does make me worry about being able to eat!
The root canal was done by a different dentist when I was in the north last April.

The surgeon here on Thursday only comes in to the clinic every 2 weeks specifically for extractions, and I don't think the general dentist will be there. I can certainly try to ask him though. The Thai health system has an interesting hierarchy so I fear he will only do what he is there for!

I'm assuming LA won't be necessary for a replacement filling as the tooth/nerve is already 'dead'?

If it needs to be done the following week, is that pushing my luck? Will it depend on the healing progress of the extraction. I'm also fearful of complications in that respect.

 

[claireytoo]

@Gordon the dentist clinic let me pop in this afternoon and I saw a different dentist from normal. She was quite abrupt
First she didn't believe the tooth had been root canaled as she didn't have access to my xrays (?!?) She did relent eventually and said yes, the filling is broken on that tooth and also on the other side (also root canal) she pushed for a crown but I explained I couldn't afford that and wanted the fillings fixed.
She didn't have time today and said to wait for a week after my extraction.

Obviously I won't be up for more dental work for at least a week after the extraction anyway so I guess I'm stuck with this plan.

I'm just so worried about an infection in either tooth and needing the root canal redone (which I also can't afford).

I guess I'll be i soft foods for the next week anyway, and super diligent with hygiene and salt rinses. Is there anything else I can do? Is waiting that long likely to get the root canals re infected?
Such bad timing.

 

[Gordon]

I guess I'll be i soft foods for the next week anyway, and super diligent with hygiene and salt rinses. Is there anything else I can do? Is waiting that long likely to get the root canals re infected?
Such bad timing.

Your diet's consistency won't make any difference to this tooth. I don't really see the need for a soft diet for more than 48 hrs after the extraction either, but I like to eat

Waiting is fine, the canals are very unlikely to get reinfected.

You're right about not needing local.

 

[claireytoo]

@Gordon thank you so much for your replies and support.
Similar to the last extraction with the same surgeon.
2 weeks worrying myself sick, 45mins to get numb, and 30seconds to get the tooth out!
Also £45 in cost so we'll worth pushing myself to do it before I return to the UK!!
Here's hoping the recovery is also as smooth as last time