Root Canal Failure? Need Help to Decide What to Do

[Sash]

My dental problems started 15 years ago while I was pregnant with my daughter. One of my front upper teeth had a root Canal. It all went well and not much drama. Over the last 15 years I have had to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed. (one at a time), all due to infections. One of them was so traumatic it left me with TMJ and a terrible fear of the dentist.

I then had a lower tooth removed, but the shonky dentist told me the extraction was perfect, only to find out months later he had left part of the tooth behind. It cause horrific infections that would cause me terrible dizziness, my face would hurt, my neck ached, I always had a headache. Everytime I get a tooth infection I have the same symptoms. It's almost like I have a really bad case of sinusitis. So for that one I had a surgeon remove the left over tooth and clean out the infection. As always I ended up with an infection afterwards.

For the last few months my tooth that had the root Canal has been aching. I've been getting the same symptoms I always get, even had sinus xrays to ensure it really was not a sinus problem. I went to the dentist, (a new one). He removed the filling, cleaned out the root Canal and refilled it. The gums ached for a few days, I could not eat on that side at all. I went to my doctor and she gave me antibiotics. It all cleared up. Two weeks later I have the same symptoms back again and the root Canal Tooth is aching and hurts when I eat.

I think I want the tooth removed, but I've read it's a more complicated procedure when you've had the root Canal for years. I don't really have the money to see a surgeon at the moment but I cannot continue like this. I am in pain an so dizzy all the time I can't drive. Does anyone else have experience with this kind of thing?

 

[carole]

Hi I have heard it said on here that a rct'd tooth is no different to remove than a tooth that isn't. The dentists on here have said so too. Try not to worry too much, I know that is hard after your experience but with the right dentist you will be fine. I think you need to discuss with the dentist how the gap will be filled before you have it removed so that you aren't left with a gap in front. You could have a partial denture to begin with then after about 6 to 12 months when your gums have settled you could have a bridge or an implant if you could afford it. This would need discussing with the dentist.

I think your first move would be to make an appointment with your dentist and see what they advise. If you want the tooth removing they will be able to do this but they may offer you an alternative if they think it could be saved. The decision is yours and if you want it removing then they will be able to do that.

 

[Suzie]

Hi Sash, just read your post. I'm sorry your struggling at the moment. Hope you don't mind me sharing my experience which i hope will help you to know that your not alone.

I have had problems with an upper back tooth, aching and causing what feels like toothache over the last 10 years. it has had root canal treatment many years ago but it still aches every now and then. The dentist can't find anything on xray and I'm told I clench and grind my teeth and have TMJ. Eventually I was given a scan, which showed inflamation of the sinus, 3 roots in the sinus and 2 abcesses. I just dont understand how that was missed on 2D xray, but there you go.

I was seen by a specialist who gave me the option to monitor the tooth, have it retreated or taken out. Iv'e chosen to monitor as the lesser of all the evils. When the tooth aches and sometimes give a sharp pain, i think about the other options, but always come to the conclusion that the pain I get it fair less than the fear of having the tooth treated or extracted. Previous dental treatments have not gone well, with local aneasthetic not working or wearing off quickly and a dentist refusing to treat me any more when I grabed his hand when he didn't stop on my signal. I feel like the most difficult patient there is.

The option to monitor has given me a way out. Whether its the correct option to take remains unclear to me, even after searchng and questioning how to deal with my problem. I feel left to fend for myself. I'm told the abscesses shouldn't cause any major problems, but Iv'e had teeth removed for less, so i'm very confused. I wish they'd tell me what I should do for the best.

Root canal retreatment will cost me £800, which I can't afford and with extraction there is a high probablity of a mouth/sinus hole. The dental hospital wont treat the tooth because its a second molar, it has complex root shapes and other things wrong with it, and they don't take patients that are anxious!! They look for cases for research and to teach students depending on funding. i suppose the likes of me will take up too much time and resources.

For me, showing fear and anxiety has created barriers to treatment.