Root Canal Failed - is it my Dentist or just something that happens?

[DFC16]

So I went for my root canal today. After 1hr, my dentist seals everything and tells me he couldnt get to the end of all the roots. This is my back molar - closest to the wisdom tooth. He said i have 3 roots. One was cleaned fine but the other two have very thin, curved roots and he couldn't get to the end. He put a temp seal and said to come back for another try next week. He said if he fails the second time - we can extract.

He didn't charge me for this treatment.

I am grateful for him telling me it failed instead of closing n pretending nothing happened until I end up with infections. Also grateful that he didn't charge since it wasn't completed satisfactory.

But I am wondering - is this something that happens in rcts or is my dentist not good enough? Should I find someone else?

He's thus far been stellar. I have seen 4 dentists in my life and he was the only one who did thorough checks (sometimes for free) and could most often pinpoint exactly what the problem was... Now I am beginning to doubt...

 

[Torrentula81]

Since you have a good feeling about this dentist it would reinforce the idea that he must have felt the root canal was doable. Yes it can take a few tries to get everything out. Consider that a good sign of someone who takes pride in doing thorough job. All in all he seems to honest person by telling you what the situation and a bonus of not charging for it. I would definitely keep him as a dentist. It would show him that yes you can make a profit while being honest. Even though he didn't make money off that visit he has you're loyalty and trust.

On you're second appoint I would ask what goes into him deciding to do the root canal vs referring it out to an endodontist, How did that apply to you're situation, and is seeing one now a good option vs extraction? Just have a conversation about it.

 

[carole]

I agree 100% with Torrentula81

 

[Chandler]

I had a failed root canal on a pre molar (only 1 root) and the dentist didn't tell me so it got infected again. I then went to a endodontist for specialist treatment to redo it. Like others have said, he's been upfront with you which is worth its weight in gold so I would stick with him and see how the follow up appointment goes.

Molars with multiple curved roots are hard to clean out and refill without specialist equipment so I wouldn't think it is a lack of ability from his part and more than the tooth is awkward and may require someone who only does root canals all day every day.

 

[comfortdentist]

I had a failed root canal on a pre molar (only 1 root) and the dentist didn't tell me so it got infected again. I then went to a endodontist for specialist treatment to redo it. Like others have said, he's been upfront with you which is worth its weight in gold so I would stick with him and see how the follow up appointment goes.

Molars with multiple curved roots are hard to clean out and refill without specialist equipment so I wouldn't think it is a lack of ability from his part and more than the tooth is awkward and may require someone who only does root canals all day every day.

So Funny story..........
Mature male patient of mine said his mother told him that if he ever had to have a root canal to see an endodontist. While of course he had some pain in a molar tooth with a zirconia crown which are very difficult to cut a hole into. I thought he needed endo but his symptoms were mild so I sent him to the endodontist .The endodontist who is very good took a CBCT which showed a clear lesion thus explaining his pain.

Problem- Patient is a severe gagger and so the endodontist sends him back to me to do the root canal under sedation.

So everyone has made good statements to the OP but none of us know for sure what to do.

 

[DFC16]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your viewpoints. I decided not to obsess over this and just let it go.

I was given a contact of the endodontist but I couldn't get a weekend appointment. She could only do Monday and I am all out of time-off from work from this horrendous back and forth dental problems. Also, I realised going to the endo would cost much more and I already had problems paying the regular dentist - no way I could afford the endo.

Looking at my situation frm all sides, I decided to stick with my dentist. You all are right - he was honest enough to tell me it failed. In the past week, I've had no pain and no sensitivity - I am back to eating normal. In such a situation, I would never have guessed my root canal failed had he not told me. I am sure a less honest dentist would have just said it was done and charged me. Few years down I may have the same problems.

My second procedure is today. Please pray it takes this time!