I asked a question not long ago about a root canal I had done, and I'm now trying to find a little more advice

Question

This root canal was done several months ago, and from the beginning it didn't feel right. I went in to have it checked a couple times and was told it was fine. A few months passed and it hadn't really changed, then I woke up and there was a large absess growing off of the side. I was put on antibiotics and it was cleaned and was better for a while then it came back. I was put on antibiotics 2 more time with the same results (it has cost me about $150 for antibiotics). I just called again to say it was back and my dentist told me to make an appointment with the specialist, but to let them know I had a recent x-ray so I wouldn't have to pay for another. Is this right? Shouldn't they back up their work that cost me about $1000 dollars? I don't have insurance and truly can't afford to see a specialist, is there anything I can do? Thanks so much for any advice.

The first time I asked this question a person said I something about signing a waiver saying that I understand if the procedure doesn't work. I would like to point out that I never signed anything, and I wasn't asked to sign anything. I'm really bothered be the lack of integrity this dentist has shown. I have had so many bad experiences like this with the dentist and am getting really fed up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

Ok. A well performed root canal treatment, rarely and I mean RARELY, causes an absess later on.
Although, some teeth have accessory canals that sometimes need x-rays with different angle positions in order to discover them. This could be an explanation for your absess; but in this case your dentist should take an x-ray on a different angle to see if an accesory canal shows up (If the original treatment appears to be well performed on a normal x-ray). The dentist may charge an additional cost (lower than first time) in the case of an accesory canal.

If he can't find the cause of your absess then he is not quite sure of what he's doing and you should be able to get your money back (the cost of the root canal plus the cost of the restoration and the cost of the antibiotics).
If you had an absess after the root canal and this situation has repeated again after an antibiotic treatment then he should have repeated the treatment WITH NO COST AT ALL (usually the proffessional doesn't wait for the absess to show up for a second time).
Though an antibiotic treatment may be used during the treatment, there should be no need for a second antibiotic treatment after the root treatment.
Also, try to remember if during the last session of the root canal treatment you felt any pain at all, since this last session must be performed without any anaesthesic or pain killer, because any sign of pain means something is wrong and the treatment can't be finished yet.

Go to another dentist, get an x-ray (don't explain your situation from a start, just say it hurts and show the absess... he/she will notice it anyway) and listen to his/her diagnosis. Then, if you feel comfortable,explain your situation.
If you feel like to, you may scan your first x-rays and send them to me... I'll try to give you a hand on this, I know very good dentists.
Regards, Lifeguard.

Answer 2

This is a tough question.Sometimes even the best root canals need additional treatment. New trauma,deep decay or a loose,cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in a tooth. Sometimes when a tooth has persistent symptoms after having a root canal but no problems appear on the x-ray,the tooth may have a tiny fracture or canal that could not be detected during treatment. If this is the case then you will need root canal surgery called a apicoectomy.Usually a tooth that has undergone a root canal can last the rest of your life and never need further endodontic treatment. However, in a few cases,a tooth may fail to heal. The tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.A apicoectomy is done when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of the tooth. The dentist will open the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue.The end of the root is also removed.A small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal and a few stitches are placed.

In most cases you really cant blame the dentist. Dont get me wrong,there are a few exceptions ,but this doesnt sound like one.If he is a decent man then maybe he will do the surgery free of charge or help pay for a specialist to do the surgery.

Answer 3

The topic of dentists comes up a lot. Dentists seem to be so uncaring anymore. So many of us have had bad experiences and are not getting justice. Call a couple of lawyers and tell them the situation. Tell them that you are not looking for a law suit that you just want to know the law. Call the specialist and ask them. Just do not let that dentist get away with this problem. I am so mad at my dentist and the thing is that no other dentist will look at me because of the fact that these professionals stick together. That leaves us out in the cold. I contacted several government officials and they would not help. Good luck.

Answer 4

call a lawyer. they should be made to back up their work. i had the same problem. i would fix one problem and it would move. now i'm just having my teeth pulled. it cost to much money for it to keep coming back. my mom spent 4,000. on her teeth till she decided to just pull them all. good luck.