#14 Possible Apicoectomy
Added: November 16, 2005 - 5:27 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Nashville, TN
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
Yes
X-rays Available:
No
Case Summary
Root Canal
Extractions / Oral Surgery
Teeth:
Case Description
Had Root Canal on #14 tooth in April. The day of R.Canal had sensitivity in gum are which has subsided mostly. The temporary crown came off and hygenist put crown on backwards (which he said he gets confused on which way) and told me to bite down. The next day an 'absess' came out the side of gum above tooth. This has subsided mostly but stll there.... I saw the dentist again and he said that "we are going to have to do a root canal" until I informed him we already did one and as he said "during" the first canal.... he "hasn't done many" which was scarry when he was putting that 'toothpick' looking thing in........ After more of this, then was sent to Endodontist where a they cut the gum above the tooth to allow it to breathe or drain? It has been nine weeks and they put a 'wire' into where they cut it and said it went to the root. They said I need an apicoectomy and that they do this, send a piece of bone to pathology and said it was "major surgery". I was hoping it would just be a retreat root canal. No insurance and they are saying 2,200.00 with their discounts. Have second opinion from another Endodontist tomorrow. I have never had trouble with my teeth and this is incredibly frightening. Can you tell me what the real story is and which direction I should be looking etc.? Thanks
Request Consultation
Get Dentist Opinions
Compare Ratings
Select Dentist!
Are You This Patient?
When selecting a new doctor, consider the following:
Quality of Explanations: Compare dentist replies. Give preference to well-reasoned, detail-oriented, transparent explanations.
Experience & Qualifications: If a dentist has a practice listing, check their practice description,
special training, typical office procedures and before & after case photographs.
Other Patients' Freedback: If a dentist has reviews, read other patients' reviews. The more
reviews they have, the more likely it is that other patients' feeback is accurate.
Treatment Costs: Dental procedure costs vary from practice to practice and depend on a variety of factors.
Because quality of patient care and treatment results vary from practice to practice most dentists will not "price-match" treatment fees of others.
Reply: #14 Possible Apicoectomy
added: November 19, 2005 - 7:38 PM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Dear patient,the good news: you do not need an apicoectomy.The bad news: your most predictable treatment is to extract the tooth, repair the bone with bone grafting (i routinely do this at the time of extraction), and then proceed with a dental implant to replace this tooth. Truth is, apicoectomy is a pretty much old and obsolete procedure in the age when dental implants offer the most predictable long-term solution for replacing teeth. It is not unusual that the root canal treatment may not resolve the infection within the tooth 100% taking into account this particular tooth type and its variable anatomy. I advise to seek a periodontist or an oral surgeon who can take the tooth out, augment the bone, adn then proceed with implant placement in a few months.Good luck.Dr. B.
Get Dentist Opinions