Discussions

Root Canal

LiVe LiFe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36

LiVe LiFe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36

Root Canal
7/21/2015 at 2:38 PM

I am looking for some information regarding a root canal. Recently my dentist started a root canal procedure...I was told it should only take 2-3 visits. Well I have now had 3 visits, told my roots/nerves are "tuff" and it's about half way there. So 2-3 more visits yet.....
After my 3rd visit (yesterday) right after I left I found that a piece of my molar broke off, so I held on to the piece and turned the car around, went back to the dental office and showed the hygienist. I was told that this is normal and root canals can cause teeth to become brittle, if it is sharp they can file it down or just wait the almost 3 weeks until my next appointment. So i sit here with a broken tooth, half performed root canal and not sure what to do. The whole point was to save my tooth. Not knowing if this is normal practice as I have never had any procedure f this type done before.
PugMom*
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 34

PugMom*
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 34

.....
7/21/2015 at 2:49 PM

Which dentist are you using? I used to go to Victoria Dental and they told me initially that I had 4 cavities that needed filling but every time I went to get them filled, they seemed to magically discover more cavities. Seemed fishy to me, I have dental insurance so I wondered if they were just milking my blue cross....you would think they'd see all the cavities the first time considering all the other times they never did X-rays, the guy just said "oh there's 2 more"
creativity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 29

creativity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 29

Dr Kauffman
7/21/2015 at 2:56 PM

I was referred for a root canal to Dr Kauffman in Winnipeg. He is a root canal specialist. Root canals are
all he does. He also teaches dentistry at U of M. You can visit his website. I think after all that hassle it would be worth getting a second opinion from someone who knows what they are doing.
foxtrot11
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2688

foxtrot11
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2688

Wouldn't hurt
7/21/2015 at 3:51 PM

To get a second opinion, especially if teeth are falling out and they seemed less than concerned from what you are saying.

I don't personally have experience with root canals other than my former dentist insisted my hubby needed a couple of them but we got a second and third opinion just in case and both of them insisted he did not need any.

Ten years later and he has never had another tooth issue. Sometimes another opinion is needed.

Good luck - sounds awful.
Mickolene
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 27

Mickolene
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 27

go elsewhere
7/21/2015 at 4:03 PM

At this point I'd say you are being jerked around and would go somewhere else. Sounds like you're dealing with someone inexperienced.

I have had 6 teeth done with root canals. After being diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia I realized I likely didn't need 3 of those root canals but that's another story.

Last week I had a molar done and it took an hour and a half sitting in the chair with my mouth open but it all got done in one visit. My next appointment will be to prep for a crown.

I have had a root canal done with a temp filling or packing of some sort and sent home with antibiotics because of an infection. Then a week later for a permanent filling. Never have I been more than twice for the procedure or have been told that the roots/nerves are tough.

Hopefully it doesn't get infected with bits of nerve still being left behind. Now that you are missing a chunk out of your tooth hopefully it isn't causing pain and you can likely expect a crown too.

Good luck. Go to another dentist ASAP!
Mickolene
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 27

Mickolene
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 27

*sigh*
7/21/2015 at 4:04 PM

this was to be attached to the root canal thread
Wam22
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 253

Wam22
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 253

I've had a root canal
7/21/2015 at 4:23 PM

Mine was 2 visits at westman dental and then I was good as gold.
frivolouspink
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 417

frivolouspink
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 417

I
7/21/2015 at 4:28 PM

have had a number of root canals. They have been two appointments. After the tooth is root canalled, it can become brittle and they need to be capped to preserve them. Dr. Pappas has done all my work and I'm very pleased with him.

Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 8881

Dr. Pappas

7/21/2015 at 4:45 PM

frivolouspink said "have had a number of root canals. They have been two appointments. After the tooth is root canalled, it can become brittle and they need to be capped to preserve them. Dr. Pappas has done all my work and I'm very pleased with him. "

did mine earlier this year and had no issues. 2 appointments was all it needed. After the root canal part was done and before he put a plug and filling in, with my tongue I could feel the size on hole in my molar and it was BIG! Between the 2 appointments he put in a temporary filling.

Truthie

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 885

Truthie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 885

Yeah
7/21/2015 at 5:53 PM

That's about right unfortunately. Usually dentist will drill, put some medication into the root, temporarily fill for about a week then you come back, have the actual root canal done, they might fill and take impressions for a crown as there won't be too much tooth left, then you'll come back to have the crown attached. My dentist messed around with my tooth too much before just doing the root canal and getting it over with and now my insurance won't pay for the crown so I've been crossing my fingers that the tooth and filling will last for a few years lol.
Kim W
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 189

Kim W
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 189

Over the years ...
7/21/2015 at 8:58 PM

I had two teeth that needed root canals. The first time I was in so much pain following the first appointment that they had to pull the tooth. Second time they pulled the tooth at my request because I was not taking a chance on another painful situation with a root canal.
Rebeldawn
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1862

Rebeldawn
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1862

Dr. Hayward
7/22/2015 at 12:09 AM

is who did mine at westman dental, both of my root canals and crown impressions were done in one visit (1 visit per root canal not both on same day lol) And I just had to go back for 2nd appt to get the crown in. Same for my husband, he see's Dr. Kruk.

I would get a second opinion from another office. But thats just my opinion.

Edited by Rebeldawn, 2015-07-22 00:11:58