Root Canal or Extraction with a Disastrous Dentist

I cracked a molar and my dentist said that I needed a dental crown, which I got. The process was awful and I felt like the tooth was being electrocuted. Even after it was done it didn’t feel right. I had trouble chewing where they put the crown and the tooth was very sensitive. The dentist told me that this was perfectly normal at first. Yet, months later it was still bothering me when I went in to get a crown placed on a different tooth. I really wanted them to fix the first one, but they said the priority is the second tooth. When I insisted, they put some numbing medication on it and told me that I should reschedule and they’ll adjust the first crown. I was very frustrated with that. Then, the tooth developed a periapical abscess. They want to schedule me for a root canal and new crown… more money. I’m thinking I should just extract the tooth because all the dental appointments with them were so painful. I just wonder if they should pay for the extraction because they waited so long to fix the crown. Actually, they still haven’t fixed it.

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

It may be tricky to get them to pay for the extraction or even a root canal treatment without proving that they were the ones who caused the need for it. However, I do not think that they are the best dentist to do any more work for you. They appear to be more interested in getting money from the next procedure they can do for you where they will collect a fee than in making sure that you are well cared for.

Before deciding on whether you will get a tooth extraction or a root canal treatment, I want you to look at a dentist who offers dental sedation options. You’ve already had a lot of trauma with this and I want you to have a good experience at your next visit. One that is anxiety-free as well as pain-free. They can give you a medication that will allow to to sleep through your dental procedure if you want to.

Another consideration is that you will still be able to save your natural tooth structure if you get a root canal treatment. That’s the ideal. If you do an extraction, you will then have to replace the tooth. If you don’t, the adjacent teeth will shift or tip into the empty space, which will throw off your bite and can lead to painful TMJ disorder. If I were replacing a tooth, I’d recommend a dental implant. It is the closest thing to a healthy natural tooth you can get. There are other options as well. The important thing is that you fill in the space so your teeth don’t shift.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Endodontist Dr. Scott Janse.