Root canal treatment options?

Toothsmith

It's good that things last with you! If you're gentle on your teeth - then chances are you'll be someone making up the longer end of the averages rather than a tooth grinding, bone gnawing, sellotape biting, destroyer of dentistry!

Hoot_Owl

Whoops! I think I did all the above quite frequently, especially the teeth clenching at night which my dentist gave me a night guard to use but I couldn’t get on with it. Maybe I shouldn’t waste my money on fancy private treatment after after all!

elsien

Give the night guard another go? I struggle with mine, and keep waking yo to find I've taken it out in the night, but I'm persevering because the thought of dentures is even worse.

Hoot_Owl

Just an update; I finally went to my consultation with a private endodonist a few days ago. He says there is an 85% chance of a successful root canal, also would need a crown placed by my regular dentist, due to the risk of the tooth cracking.

The problem? The nearest appointment for the Root canal treatment is 3 weeks away! Also by the time I get round to an appointment with my dentist for a crown, it will be January, so I’ll go through Xmas not being able to chew on one side in fear of cracking the tooth!

Now, at least I’m not in any pain due to the nerve being dead. However, I’ve been dealing with this infection for over 3 weeks now, I’m not sure if it would be safe delaying treatment for another 3 weeks?

I’ve read untreated tooth infections that cause a lot of damage if left to spread (worst cases can be fatal). I’ve got a backup appointment with my regular dentist, for an extraction next week if I change my mind.

It’s all a bit of a major headache at the minute, I’m so conflicted on not knowing what to do for the best?

welshdent

Has your tooth been dressed? If you aren't in any pain I would be comfortable with a 3 week wait and even if it is not dressed it could be if it flares up. I am someone that takes referrals for this very procedure and most people have to wait a few weeks because the time needed for the procedure means appointments get booked up. Its unlikely to make any difference on outcome.

Hoot_Owl

welshdent wrote: »

Has your tooth been dressed? If you aren't in any pain I would be comfortable with a 3 week wait and even if it is not dressed it could be if it flares up. I am someone that takes referrals for this very procedure and most people have to wait a few weeks because the time needed for the procedure means appointments get booked up. Its unlikely to make any difference on outcome.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

No, the tooth hasn’t been touched yet. I probably wouldn’t of been too concerned about the 3 week wait had I got it looked at from the offset, but took 3 weeks (error in my part) to get a consultation. So, by the time I get the treatment it will 6 weeks since the infection started!

Would this be a risk, considering everything I read online about tooth infection/abscesses in time moving into the jaw and causing damage, or even worse the infection spilling out into the blood stream causing sepsis and killing you? Again, really dumb on my part delaying the appointment.

Toothsmith

It should be fine - but another dose of antibiotics should it flare up would easily get you through to the appointment.

Hoot_Owl

1 year update! So it’s been a year since I had the RCT on my upper first molar and all was fine, that was up until the weekend, unfortunately I’m experiencing pain in the tooth again!  

I went to my NHS dentist this week and they did an X-ray, but they couldn’t find a problem...no signs of any infection? said the RCT tooth looked good? They prescribed  me 7 days worth of amoxicillin and told to come back next week if I’m still experiencing pain (currently 3rd day of taking antibiotics but so far the pain hasn’t changed, though not excruciating like the first time around, more moderate but still uncomfortable 5 out of 10 pain).

I’m now really concerned about what to do going forwards if this pain doesn’t  go away...do I have the molar extracted even though it appears fine on the X-ray? Can you have hidden infections in Root Canal teeth that don’t show up on X-rays? 

I also made an appointment to see the Endodontist who performed the RCT, but only scheduled as a review/follow up appointment I was supposed to have in the Summer, but was put off due to Covid. I was reading the private practice website and it stated  ‘if you find your filling, root filling, inlay, crown, or dental implant needs replacing within a year of the treatment being performed, you will not be charged for your replacement.’ Does that mean if I require a second Root Canal treatment on the same tooth within a year there will be no charge? I had the work done on 10/12/19 but the nearest appointment I could get to see the Endo again was on 15/12/20, that is just outside the 1 year patient guarantee, does that matter?

If there is a chance of a second Root Canal without paying another £700 again I’ll consider it to try and save the tooth, but that’s even if I can endure this pain for that long of course! Thinking I may just have to have the tooth extracted before then. I knew from the start there was no guarantees of the Root Canal working/lasting but £700 I’ve wasted is a kick in the teeth tbh! In hindsight I should of got an extraction a year ago and put that money towards an implant which at 2-3k is out of my affordability range currently.

Toothsmith

Don't panic or do anything rash & irreversible!

You've had it looked at and the report was good. There are many reasons a tooth can start to hurt for a few days that are perfectly innocent and will go away.

If you've had a night of tooth grinding (a really common thing this year!!) then a tooth can go a bit sore for a while. Upper molars can hurt if you have a touch of sinusitis. There can be many reasons.

Obviously I can't see the tooth or your mouth - but go and see the endodontists for your review, and see what is said there.

The worst thing would be to get the tooth removed, then find you still have the pain! 

Toothsmith

I've just noticed above that tooth grinding has been suggested as a problem you have beforehand. If you've fallen out of the habit of wearing the bite guard - putting it back in again at night wouldn't do any harm, and will probably help.