Yet another root canal query...

Laprincesse

Hi All,

Would love some opinions...

Back in July, I started to get pain in an old white filling in an upper molar. Eventually went to a new local dentist who removed the filling & replaced it with a temporary filling containing some medicine and told me to return in 12 weeks. I was pain free for almost exactly 12 weeks, at which time the pain started to return. The dentist said that more than likely I would need a root canal, when I hesitated she re-filled it again with the temporary filling & sent me off for 2 weeks. No change :-( I was advised by everyone to get a 2nd opinion so I went to a more expensive, recommended dentist who x-rayed me and said she could give me a filling, but it may not work. She said it was reasonable to give it a try.

So, I got the filling this week and to be honest, I'm still in pain. My face is slightly swollen and it's still sensitive to eat on that side. I'm on anti-inflammatory meds and, since yesterday, an anti-biotic.

My query is - could it settle at this stage? I am very very nervous about getting a root canal...1) They're not guaranteed 2) My mother has had very bad experiences with them and has never had a successful one 3) My MIL is convinced by the bad press and has me worried about the serious & negative side effects 4) The cost...

Finally, is it "safe" to let my local dentist do it or should I go to an endodontist?

Any advice greatly appreciated....!

Oral Surgeon

Sounds like you are in root canal territory op.
Get it seen to asap. Ask your dentist of they do these types of root canals as a lot of general dentists don't do molars... If not, see an endodontist.....

Laprincesse wrote: »

Hi All,

Would love some opinions...

Back in July, I started to get pain in an old white filling in an upper molar. Eventually went to a new local dentist who removed the filling & replaced it with a temporary filling containing some medicine and told me to return in 12 weeks. I was pain free for almost exactly 12 weeks, at which time the pain started to return. The dentist said that more than likely I would need a root canal, when I hesitated she re-filled it again with the temporary filling & sent me off for 2 weeks. No change :-( I was advised by everyone to get a 2nd opinion so I went to a more expensive, recommended dentist who x-rayed me and said she could give me a filling, but it may not work. She said it was reasonable to give it a try.

So, I got the filling this week and to be honest, I'm still in pain. My face is slightly swollen and it's still sensitive to eat on that side. I'm on anti-inflammatory meds and, since yesterday, an anti-biotic.

My query is - could it settle at this stage? I am very very nervous about getting a root canal...1) They're not guaranteed 2) My mother has had very bad experiences with them and has never had a successful one 3) My MIL is convinced by the bad press and has me worried about the serious & negative side effects 4) The cost...

Finally, is it "safe" to let my local dentist do it or should I go to an endodontist?

Any advice greatly appreciated....!

Laprincesse

Thanks for getting back to me. My local dentist says she does them all the time and costs half of what the endodontist does. I'm just nervous because I know it may not be successful and therefore should I see a specialist?

Do you know anything about the negative rumours about root canals?

FullblownRose

Hi, I had a root canal with no issue at the time, or since. I've heard they are difficult but in my case it was not problematic. Mine was done by my dentist.

Laprincesse

Thanks FullblownRose, nice to hear a positive story!

Oral Surgeon

Laprincesse wrote: »

Thanks for getting back to me. My local dentist says she does them all the time and costs half of what the endodontist does. I'm just nervous because I know it may not be successful and therefore should I see a specialist?

Do you know anything about the negative rumours about root canals?

What negative rumours are you talking about??

Laprincesse

That it can lead to various auto-immune diseases in addition to cancer etc due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the canals..

Oral Surgeon

Laprincesse wrote: »

That it can lead to various auto-immune diseases in addition to cancer etc due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the canals..

Absolute rubbish, there are no peer reviewed studies to support anything like this.

The only decision you have to make is whether you want to keep that tooth or not, root canal sounds like your only option….

bonaparte2

mine was a complete success fifteen years ago

Laprincesse

It would seem that way :-( I would really like to keep the tooth if I can.

Thanks for your help.

Laprincesse

Thanks Bonaparte2, wish I hadn't listened to all the bad press!

digzy

Laprincesse wrote: »

That it can lead to various auto-immune diseases in addition to cancer etc due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the canals..

Oh sweet Jesus........
I dunno whether to laugh or cry

Laprincesse

Digzy I know, my rational side is laughing, but my in-laws are really convinced of this and have gotten inside my head :-(

FullblownRose

Laprincesse wrote: »

Digzy I know, my rational side is laughing, but my in-laws are really convinced of this and have gotten inside my head :-(

Well there's nothing wrong with keeping yourself up to date, as many things that were previously accepted to be harmless have turned out to be a bit dodgy!

As I understand it though the procedure has advanced so much that it's a lot safer nowadays

Oral Surgeon

Yes we have advanced but it never did cause cancer!!

FullblownRose wrote: »

Well there's nothing wrong with keeping yourself up to date, as many things that were previously accepted to be harmless have turned out to be a bit dodgy!

As I understand it though the procedure has advanced so much that it's a lot safer nowadays