Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, but it's always best to be prepared. The ABs should help for now, but they won't fix the long term problem, that's why you need to see the endo.
Try not to stress about it, there's all sorts of things they can do!
Thanks Janie, i know what you mean about preparing myself for the worst i have already been googling implants and then freaking out about how painful one of those would be!! alternatively i could just save the money and have no tooth and join a football cheer squad or soemthing lol!
thanks though i see the endo on sept 11 for a consult so hopefully it will be good news that day!
I found this on a dental site could this be a possibility in the front lower tooth:
"I once sent a patient to an endodontist because of persistent toothache in a tooth that had a root canal treatment. The endodontist said that the root was cracked and he couldn't do anything to save it, and sent her back to me to take the tooth out. When I took it out, I could see plainly that it wasn't cracked at all, but there was a fourth root canal on the tooth. The canal was hidden on the x-ray, but when I had the tooth in my hand it was plain to see. This root had been missed in the root canal, and THAT was the reason the tooth was hurting. So he missed the diagnosis, and just by re-treating the tooth it could have been saved. But then it was too late--the tooth was out. But I never sent any more patients to that endodontist."
Last edited by YDI; August 29th, 2008 at 09:47 AM.
it's possible to have a second root canal procedure on the same tooth if the actual root is stable. i have had ongoing root canal treatment on a front tooth that is yet to be finalised. i had a cyst at the end of the tooth (not sure if cyst caused death of tooth, or vice verse), so first root canal worked temporarily (about a year), second time i had to see endodontist and resulted in having the cyst first lanced, and then removed (this is something i would consider worst case!). i am yeat to have the final filling of the tooth as everything has had to be done in conjunction with the surgeon, and around ivf treatments (and endodontist is 130k's away and has himself been sick so not working as much - appointments are bloody hard to get!)
don't have the tooth extracted until you've had the consult with the endodontist - and if something doesn't feel right about it (if they just "give up" on saving the tooth) push to get answers about why!
Most Endos will give you an idea of what chance they give the tooth. If it's only a 20% chance do you really want to spend all that money? It's a decision only you can make, but generally, you would do well do be guided by your specialist.
I think what that person/dentist was trying to say is that the tooth had ONE extra CANAL. Yes, a front tooth only has one root, but occasionally they can have an extra canal. This is well-known by endodontists, but not so much be general dentists. In fact, it is pretty widely accepted now that upper molars often have four canals, whereas previously it was thought they usually only had three. Endodontists are trying to get this information out to general dentists, as it's a pretty common reason for RCT to fail. If you don't fill in every single canal it's so easy for bacteria to move into the root again, and cause infection. The extra canal is often very small, and difficult to locate, hence why they're mostly missed. Endodontists use specialist equipment, such as microscopes, to give them a better chance of successfully completing the RCT.
ETA I should say that general dentists usually do a great job of RCT - it's just not always simple, and it's great when they know when to refer a patient.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I went to the doctors a couple of weeks ago and got some antibiotics which made a bit of a difference. the ache is not completely gone though. I went and saw an endodontist this afternoon who took an xray and examined the tooth and said that there was no sign of infection. he commented on the root canal work that the dentist did on the tooth in december and said she used thermafill and he would never use that as a root filler. he said the filler didnt go down far enough and fell short and he would take the filler all the way down the canal. he said the filling was too high and he would lower it and seal it with some protective plastic. he also said that there appeared to be some opaque bits on the lower right side of the tooth which he wont know what it is until he goes in there but said it could be a bit of instrument??
all in all he wants to re do the work and repeat the root canal in the tooth. he said the first bit he will treat and medicate the tooth and 4-6 weeks later he will fill it all for a lazy $1600!!! this tooth has cost me a fortune!
i told him i researched implants and he laughed at me and said they wouldnt put an implant to replace tooth number 32 as there isnt enough room and the gum wouldnt handle it!!! so i freaked out again haha and still wonder how they would replace the tooth if RC fails me again.
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