- Joined
- Jun 9, 2017
- Messages
- 1
During my bi-annual exam the dentist didn't even notice my cavities until I asked about a small sharp place between 18 and 19 that tended to collect food. He said he could fill them "they were small" and "not an emergency" so I got an appointment several weeks later. No pain in the teeth whatsoever, just the chip or sharp spot that snagged food.
I get the cavities filled. On the way out of the door, the dentist says, "that back one, if you have any problems with it, you'll need to see an endodontist, it was deep". I was very sore after the two fillings and within 2-3 days realized there was a problem. Pain getting worse and worse to the point it was constant and had a deep hurt that was so bad I couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from. I made an appointment with an endodontist to likely get a root canal.
The specialist test both 19 and 20 and did xrays and he pointed out that on 19, the previous dentist had drilled really close to the pulp which was likely cause of my pain. But, he had a twist, he said, "it could also be 20, it is close to the pulp, too". So, essentially, I needed two root canals. I was in so much pain that I said, "fine, do it".
I am speculating that my normal dentist drilled too deeply into these cavities and ended up making me need root canals. If they had been deep cavities and described as such on xrays prior, maybe I wouldn't think this. But, i had no pain before the first dental visit as he filled the cavities. But, shortly after - less than a week later, I'm sitting in the chair getting two root canals. This has wiped out my dental benefits for the year and has me over $1000 out of pocket. Oh, and now I assume I will need two crowns, too. With no dental benefits left for this year - how much is this likely to cost me?
I like my dentist - nice guy. But, I think he is at fault here by overzealous drilling. I don't want to see a malpractice attorney and go that route. More of a rhetorical question than anything else... But what is the likelihood of him realizing he may have created this situation and offer to "make it right?"
For you dentists, I realize you cant see the xrays and are limited in what you can say. But how often does overzealous drilling happen and lead to root canals that might not have been necessary?
Thanks in advance.
I get the cavities filled. On the way out of the door, the dentist says, "that back one, if you have any problems with it, you'll need to see an endodontist, it was deep". I was very sore after the two fillings and within 2-3 days realized there was a problem. Pain getting worse and worse to the point it was constant and had a deep hurt that was so bad I couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from. I made an appointment with an endodontist to likely get a root canal.
The specialist test both 19 and 20 and did xrays and he pointed out that on 19, the previous dentist had drilled really close to the pulp which was likely cause of my pain. But, he had a twist, he said, "it could also be 20, it is close to the pulp, too". So, essentially, I needed two root canals. I was in so much pain that I said, "fine, do it".
I am speculating that my normal dentist drilled too deeply into these cavities and ended up making me need root canals. If they had been deep cavities and described as such on xrays prior, maybe I wouldn't think this. But, i had no pain before the first dental visit as he filled the cavities. But, shortly after - less than a week later, I'm sitting in the chair getting two root canals. This has wiped out my dental benefits for the year and has me over $1000 out of pocket. Oh, and now I assume I will need two crowns, too. With no dental benefits left for this year - how much is this likely to cost me?
I like my dentist - nice guy. But, I think he is at fault here by overzealous drilling. I don't want to see a malpractice attorney and go that route. More of a rhetorical question than anything else... But what is the likelihood of him realizing he may have created this situation and offer to "make it right?"
For you dentists, I realize you cant see the xrays and are limited in what you can say. But how often does overzealous drilling happen and lead to root canals that might not have been necessary?
Thanks in advance.