Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 9/5/2007

Question
Okay this is a long one, but maybe someone can help me because not one of the dentists that I am dealing with can.

This started on 6/30/07 I went into my primary dentist and he said I needed a root canal…

I went to the endodontist on 7/20/07 and had my first root canal. The procedure went well according to her, but the pain was so intense I just could not take it.

So she made an incision to let the infection drain. That did nothing so they decided to do another root canal to the tooth… During this procedure the pain was so intense across the front of my face – several times I wanted her to stop! But I though that if this works – great so keep going. She mentioned something about a tooth stone? Nothing was explained very well and I really don’t know what she did or why. Well it did nothing and again I was in pain this time she did not fill it so I had to go back a third time this time she filled it, but it abscessed and there was a huge bubble that formed above the tooth and she again made an incision to let it drain (still no relief).

So I went to my primary dentist when he took the picture he said this has to come out now. He also said that he though she should give me some of my money back.

Now in her defense I did not want to loose the tooth, but she is the specialist.

So I had the tooth extracted on 8/24/07. I had to go to see him on 8/31 because there was a bunch of red spots around the tooth and spreading – he said it was a dry socket (not 100% sure) but mentioned some thing about an over extended root canal and would not explain that the reason he pulled the tooth was an over extended root canal? I asked for this to be explained several times, but he did not respond once.

I had to go back 9/4/07 and he had to repack it. His bed side manors were the worst I have ever seen I cried through the whole procedure and he was nothing but be a jerk the whole time.

O’ as I was taken back by the assistant she mentioned that my chart said I had a perforated sinus? When I asked her what it was she went and got the Doctor. Still not explaination.   

Now I have to go back on 9/7/07 to have him check the packing.

During all of this I have now been diagnosed TMD the pain is the most intense pain that I have ever had. They tell me to take Advil, but I can’t with my stomach. I have Vicodin left over from the extraction, but I do not want to become addicted, but I also can not live like this and need some help.
I was told to prove malpractice would almost be impossible. I was told to file a claim with the Dental Association, but I do not want repercussions when I am still not healed. I am looking for some answers and explanations on what to do.
One what is an over extended root canal
Two what is a perforated sinus
Three what is a tooth stone
Four what do I do – I have two dentist appointments on 9/7/07 and I am scared…  

Answer
Hi Jen

It really sounds like you've been through a horrendous time!

OK - an overextended root canal is where the root filling material goes out through the tip of the root into the tissues surrounding the tooth. This is often not as bad as it sounds - in fact it is fairly common for some of the root canal sealer to pass through and generally is of little concern. If the amount of filling material that passed through is large then that's a different matter.

The roots of your top molar teeth and sometimes premolar teeth are very close to your sinus. The sinus is just an air space within your upper jaw bone. Occasionally you can get a perforation through to the sinus when a tooth is extracted, and this will usually heal OK, but on occasions it becomes infected and needs further treatment.

A tooth stone is a build up of dentine within the pulp chamber in the middle of a tooth. It can make root canal work tricky!

I'd see another dentist - preferably a sympathetic one! Ask for copies of your records and x-rays from your original dentist and the endodontist then hopefully someone will be able to explain everything properly to you and sort you out.

Regards and good luck

Tony Appleton