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Root canal or filling

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  • 16-10-2019 4:38pm
    #1
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭


    I went to a dentist I had been specifically advised against.

    She told me I would have to have root canal and I said "Could you do something on it to give me time to think about it?"

    She said she would give me preliminary root canal treatment and I should get up to 9 months out of it.

    It has settled down now but the filling she gave me was only temporary and so I "top it up" every week or so with tooth-fil.

    Can I go on like this or will I have to go back quite soon to see another dentist? (I have little faith in this one ,it was just that she was so close to where I live)

    Is it worth asking this new dentist if there is any point in giving it a proper filling or does the preliminary root canal treatment already done rule that out now?


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    #2
    Fishorsealant
    Registered Users Posts: 258 ✭✭Fishorsealant


    Can you not just get the root canal finished somewhere?


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    #3
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    Fishorsealant wrote: »
    Can you not just get the root canal finished somewhere?
    Oh yes,that would not be a problem.It is quite expensive though and if I could get away with a standard filling I would go for that. (even if it might not be a permanent fix)

    It would of course depend on what the dentist would advise.


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    #4
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    once you start you need to finish, the door is, and always was closed on a "simple filling".


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    #5
    Pythagorean
    Registered Users Posts: 244 ✭✭Pythagorean


    I was advised by my dentist that I needed a root canal on a back molar. I decided to leave it for the time being, since I had no symptoms. About a year later it suddenly flared up, with a very painful abscess. I phoned the specialist who I had originally been referred to be told that he could not see me for a month, and it would cost close on 1000 euros. A frantic search of the Golden pages turned up a local dentist who does root canals ( not all are equipped for this difficult and specialized job).Two sessions of 2 hours each resulted in a first class job, cost 700 euros. Better to do it sooner rather than later would be my advice.


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    #6
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    Aliyah Rapping Prize wrote: »
    once you start you need to finish, the door is, and always was closed on a "simple filling".

    OK,thanks I get that.

    Should I look for a dentist who does root canals or is it better to aim to see an endodontist?

    (they need a professional referal I understand and I prefer not to go back to the same dentist again to refer me to one.....)


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    #7
    seligehgit
    Registered Users Posts: 9,286 ✭✭✭seligehgit


    amandstu wrote: »
    OK,thanks I get that.

    Should I look for a dentist who does root canals or is it better to aim to see an endodontist?

    (they need a professional referal I understand and I prefer not to go back to the same dentist again to refer me to one.....)

    If as I understand you have had a first stage endodontic treatment done,it requires completion.

    Depending on the particular tooth ( permanent molars with multipile root canals with challenging configurations ) a dental surgeon may be inclined to refer this treatment to a specialist endodontist.An endodontist has specifically trained in this treatment and does it day in day out so will likely have a higher success rate.The treatment will be more expensive than if you have it carried out by your regular dental surgeon.

    A referral is useful as it can outline what the diagnosis was,emergency treatment was carried out and treatments are required.


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    #8
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    seligehgit wrote: »
    If as I understand you have had a first stage endodontic treatment done,it requires completion.

    Depending on the particular tooth ( permanent molars with multipile root canals with challenging configurations ) a dental surgeon may be inclined to refer this treatment to a specialist endodontist.An endodontist has specifically trained in this treatment and does it day in day out so will likely have a higher success rate.The treatment will be more expensive than if you have it carried out by your regular dental surgeon.

    A referral is useful as it can outline what the diagnosis was,emergency treatment was carried out and treatments are required.
    I think from what you say that I would be better off to go back to my dentist and ask her to refer me to an endodontist.

    Can I request her to refer me to an endodontist of my choice?


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    #9
    seligehgit
    Registered Users Posts: 9,286 ✭✭✭seligehgit


    amandstu wrote: »
    I think from what you say that I would be better off to go back to my dentist and ask her to refer me to an endodontist.

    Can I request her to refer me to an endodontist of my choice?

    That's correct.

    You can request them to make a referral to an endodontist of your choice.


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    #10
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    Thanks everyone.I am all clued up now.


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    #11
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    I have had a consultation with an endodontist now and root canal treatment is scheduled for next week.

    I was a bit surprised to be offered "happy gas" sedation as I don't consider myself to be exceptionally anxious at the dentists (not that I enjoy it in any way)

    An internet search indicates that it is usually offered to children.

    Maybe my treatment is likely to be especially tricky?(I see "core build up" and "cement barrier" are listed in the treatment plan.

    Should I consider asking the dentist to not bother with the sedation or should I go along with his idea?

    I have had root canal treatment on one occasion previously and on a very similar tooth ..
    ..did not find it unusually unbearable on that occasion.


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    #12
    Fishorsealant
    Registered Users Posts: 258 ✭✭Fishorsealant


    The level of sedation required is less procedure dependent and more patient dependent.

    What type of patient are you, in terms of anxiety?

    If you think you can tolerate the procedure under local anaesthetist then you don’t need it.
    If you cannot tolerate it under la then you probably do need some form of sedation.

    Core build up is similar to when the dentist puts a filling in, you won’t be able to tell the difference.


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    #13
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    Fishorsealant wrote: »
    The level of sedation required is less procedure dependent and more patient dependent.

    What type of patient are you, in terms of anxiety?

    If you think you can tolerate the procedure under local anaesthetist then you don’t need it.
    If you cannot tolerate it under la then you probably do need some form of sedation.

    Core build up is similar to when the dentist puts a filling in, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
    Well there is no charge for this sedation ,so at least that is not an issue.

    Since I have had a root canal in the past I would be confident in going through the same procedure again without sedation ,but I am not sure whether it might not be lengthier this time (about 1hour 45 mins I think I was told)

    I imagine there are few people who are not anxious to some degree about the dentist.My main worry is the discomfort over a lengthy period rather than any panicky feelings.

    I also wonder whether the sedation might actually make things easier for the dentist and I would be happy to go through with it if that was the case (a more relaxed and focused dentist probably means a better job and a more pleasant time for me)


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    #14
    Fishorsealant
    Registered Users Posts: 258 ✭✭Fishorsealant


    Students sometimes spend 3 hour sessions doing root canals. If you do experience pain then it’s a simple job of giving some more LA and since your soft tissue is already numb it is pain free.

    I see your thought process but it should be pretty routine treatment for a specialist and I wouldn’t validate the making their job easier thinking for choosing sedation in this instance.

    In its core, it comes down to the type of patient you are and the treatment you are willing the tolerate with local anaesthetic alone.

    Past experiences are a reliable indicator in my experience.


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    #15
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    (OT)When I was in Cork,I slipped on the pavement and dislocated my shoulder.

    Although the hospital was just up the road ,the swelling was too bad to just put it back into place and they put me out and kept me overnight.

    That was some freaky stuff they gave me and certainly worth the price of admission ;)

    This laughing gas they are offering me sounds like fun in a more minor way but I would normally say no to recreational drugs (which this sounds slightly and suspiciously like)

    I also tend to go along with authority (in this case the dentist )��


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    #16
    grazer
    Registered Users Posts: 195 ✭✭grazer


    I had a molar crowned, then had a lot of pain with an abcess, and needed root canal treatment. I didn’t have sedation (it wasn’t offered, and I hadn’t had root canal done before so didn’t know what was involved). I really really wished I had. It’s a long very physical process - tugging and drilling. If sedation is being offered, why not go for it? I was in awful pain for a period after it was done. And a year after that, the tooth needed to be extracted anyway. Which was also extremely unpleasant, even though I requested and received sedation - I don’t think it had much effect.
    Personally, I’d go for any sedation offered.


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    #17
    amandstu
    Registered Users Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭amandstu


    One other thing.My endodontist has told me to get a crown from the dentist who referred me to him.

    How can I get out of going back to her without letting on to him that she has a bad reputation?

    Is he going to leave my mouth in such a condition that I will have to get a crown
    very short order .

    Unless I say something to him ,will he refer me back to her as a matter of course? (Since she referred me to him)

    Can I expect to have the option of delaying the crown until later ? Is that something I will have to ask the endodontist?


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    #18
    grazer
    Registered Users Posts: 195 ✭✭grazer


    amandstu wrote: »
    One other thing.My endodontist has told me to get a crown from the dentist who referred me to him.

    How can I get out of going back to her without letting on to him that she has a bad reputation?

    Is he going to leave my mouth in such a condition that I will have to get a crown
    very short order .

    Unless I say something to him ,will he refer me back to her as a matter of course? (Since she referred me to him)

    Can I expect to have the option of delaying the crown until later ? Is that something I will have to ask the endodontist?

    Yes without any input from you, the endodontist is likely to refer you back to the original dentist, thinking that's 'your' dentist. Can you find another dentist you want to go to, and tell the endodontist (what is an endodontist?!) to refer you to X. If the dentist has such a bad rep, how come you saw them in the first place? And why not let the endodontist know you don't want to go to that dentist?


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