Root canal didn't go through well, what to do with tooth?

studysep

Around August I went for a root canal but the dentist (still training) said she couldn't do it as the angle was difficult so referred me to the hospital. The hospital said to get it removed, so referred me back to the dentist (but not heard anything). In the meantime my dentist put a soft filling in which I had to get replaced a week later.

The other day I woke up to find some hard thing rolling in my mouth, which must have been part of the filling. I put it back in (even though it's loose and probably shrunk because of whatever I have eaten) and eventually it completely fell out (don't know where) so I'm left with half a tooth.

I know I need to do something about it as I am not eating that side of the mouth, and it will probably cost me £47 to get it removed, but I don't have much teeth on that side (right at the back - lower teeth - one was removed before but I think it grew back slightly) so I will have a tooth next to it but braces won't really bring that one to fill the gap when this tooth is removed.

It won't be painful will it? Probably need calming really as I am afraid of the dentist.

BitterAndTwisted

Why would it need to be removed? Go back to the dentist asap and ask if it can be crowned. Losing a tooth is a last resort and never a healthy one.

studysep

The hospital said it was better to get it removed as there was so less of a tooth left there was no point trying to root canal it.

jugglebug

studysep wrote: »

Around August I went for a root canal but the dentist (still training) said she couldn't do it as the angle was difficult so referred me to the hospital. The hospital said to get it removed, so referred me back to the dentist (but not heard anything). In the meantime my dentist put a soft filling in which I had to get replaced a week later.

The other day I woke up to find some hard thing rolling in my mouth, which must have been part of the filling. I put it back in (even though it's loose and probably shrunk because of whatever I have eaten) and eventually it completely fell out (don't know where) so I'm left with half a tooth.

I know I need to do something about it as I am not eating that side of the mouth, and it will probably cost me £47 to get it removed, but I don't have much teeth on that side (right at the back - lower teeth - one was removed before but I think it grew back slightly) so I will have a tooth next to it but braces won't really bring that one to fill the gap when this tooth is removed.

It won't be painful will it? Probably need calming really as I am afraid of the dentist.

You say your dentist is still training? Apart from a few outreach centres you wont come across any dentists in training in general practice.
There is a scheme for newly qualified dentists to work with a mentor. Used to be called vocational training, now changed to Foundation Dentist, but these guys are qualified.
NHS endodontics within the hospital system (Root filling) is a bit of a rare animal nowadays. The department of health will tell you that it is available, but the practical constraints put on it tell a different story.
In my career I have managed to get a hospital to do a root filling for one of my patients precisely once, and that was about 10 years ago.
You may find that a private specialist will be able to carry out the procedure but that obviously carries a higher cost. Your dentist should know of someone local they can refer to.
There is no point crowning the tooth if the root treatment is necessary of course as you would be paying for something doomed to fail.

welshdent

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Why would it need to be removed? Go back to the dentist asap and ask if it can be crowned. Losing a tooth is a last resort and never a healthy one.

If a tooth is deemed to need root filling then a crown should not be done until this is carried out. It's all about getting the foundations right.

terra_ferma

I had a couple of root canal treatments and my dentist was able to perform miracles, with very bad problems. He said it may not work, but he tried anyway (private practice though) and it went fine.
I'd say find a good dentist and listen to their advice.

studysep

The reason why they said no root canal can be done is because I hardly have a tooth left (one side probably nearly totally gone) so even if a crown was put, it wouldn't have anything to really sit on.

lollipopsarah

Get the thing pulled out before an infection sets in.
xx

tokkiandoliver

I highly recommend you going to a proper dentist and not someone in training.
My brother is an oral surgeon, and I always consult with him prior to any dental work.

Last year I had a similar situation as you. Same tooth too. It cracked in half. I had a root canal and a cap placed on top. If the other bit of my tooth broke off, they will have to pull the entire tooth and you will need an implant.

Either way, don't go to someone in training. I think you need a new dentist.

Good luck!

welshdent

Dentists working in practice are NOT in training. They would not be allowed out of dental school if they were not qualified

coldstreamalways

tokkiandoliver wrote: »

I highly recommend you going to a proper dentist and not someone in training.
My brother is an oral surgeon, and I always consult with him prior to any dental work.

Last year I had a similar situation as you. Same tooth too. It cracked in half. I had a root canal and a cap placed on top. If the other bit of my tooth broke off, they will have to pull the entire tooth and you will need an implant.

Either way, don't go to someone in training. I think you need a new dentist.

Good luck!

Wow, what a lot of assumptions in such a small post.