Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 5/1/2007

Question
Hello Dr. Bornfeld,
Yesterday I went in for a root canal on tooth #4 and the dentist did it on #5.  We did not discuss the exact tooth prior to him beginning yesterday but I assumed he would do the right one since I was in to see him on 3/14 for pain in #4.  He claims he figured out during that appointment that it was #5 bothering me. He never, ever said that he thought it was a different tooth bothering me. If he had of, I would have corrected him immediately since I know which tooth is bad.  What should I do?  I told him immediately yesterday that he had done the wrong tooth and he disagreed.  I was so upset I could hardly function and am still shaking inside.  Not only do I still have pain in the bad tooth I'm also worried about my healthy tooth that just got an unneccesary root canal. Thank you for any advice.
Pricilla  

Answer
Dear Pricilla,

On the face of it, there is no way to logically exclude the possibility that your dentist is being honest when he states that #5 is indeed the tooth that required root canal therapy. It is too easy for a patient to confuse which tooth is the source of pain, given the tendency for oral pain to radiate beyond its perceived point of origin.

However, it does seem improbable that your dentist would simply perform a root canal therapy on a different tooth without first telling you. It would be foolish as well, especially given the probability of persistent symptoms if the infected tooth was allowed to remain untreated.

The only way to find out is to get a second opinion. You will need to request copies of pre-operative x-rays of your premolars. It is important to get x-rays that were taken recently, but before the root canal therapy was performed, since this may be the only way to assess whether root canal was indeed performed on the correct tooth.

If your dentist did perform root canal inappropriately, he compounded the seriousness of the transgression by lying about it. Whether this rises to the level of professional negligence is a matter for an attorney rather than a dentist, but it definitely would suggest questionable ethical practices, and would be sufficient reason to continue your dental care elsewhere.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.denaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY