Bad root canal
Added: February 27, 2008 - 2:50 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Wayne, NY
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
No
X-rays Available:
Yes
Case Summary
Gum Surgery
Extractions / Oral Surgery
Dental Implants
Teeth: 2
Last Cleaning: 6 months ago
Case Description
I have a 17 year old root canal and have been having pain on and off for the past year.. It is my upper right molar in the back of my mouth. I finally went to see an oral surgeon who advised me not to get and apico because he would have to chip away at good bone to get to the infection which down the road would cause problems if I needed an implant. He said the apico has a 50% failure rate. We don't have dental insurance and the cost of the implant is 4x as much as the apico. I was wondering if I should seek a second opinion of is there any validity to what the oral surgeon has said.
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: Bad root canal
added: February 27, 2008 - 3:41 PM
Based only on the description you provided, the oral surgeon is apparently providing you with accurate information and an excellent course of treatment with a high success rate. My response is in no way intended to provide you with any advice as to treatment since I have not personally evaluated you. It is only to provide you with information based on the limited information I have in your case extrapolated to the generally healthy population with similarly described symptoms. Every patient and situation is different and you should keep that in mind.
Reply: Bad root canal
added: February 27, 2008 - 4:50 PM
Hi,I dont know enough about this particular tooth to give you a specific answer. What kind of restoration is on the tooth now? Did any one discuss trying to retreat the root canal?Redoing the root canal MAY solve the problem, but then the tooth will also need a post and crown to restore it. That could cost $2000-$3500 depending on where you go.Apicoectomies on Molar teeth are not always sucessful although 50% does sound a little low.In this matter I would definitely seek a second opinion. We offer free consultations. I do root canals, even though I am a General dentist. An extraction future implant is certainly another alternative. (around $3000)Call us if you are interested in the consultDr Gochman718 359-3555
Reply: Bad root canal
added: February 27, 2008 - 8:30 PM
Dear Bad Root Canal,You should see a root canal specialist (endodontist) who uses a surgical microscope. The success rates are much higher and the minimal bone that is removed can be regenerted. I recommend Dr Kim at 630 5th ave. 212-757-1000. He is exceptionally talented.
Reply: Bad root canal
added: February 27, 2008 - 9:57 PM
Dear patient:I am a surgical Prosthodontist (the specialist when it comes to implants and restorations) and I recommend you seek a second opinion from an Endodontist as well, before you rush into extraction and implants. Dr. Kim or his partner Dr. Iofin are an excellent choice and I know of several others who do excellent microscopic surgeries with excellent success rates (much higher than 50%). Please call my office and I can guide you further. Remeber, if you try to save a penny now, it will cost you major dollars later.
Reply: Bad root canal
added: February 28, 2008 - 12:07 AM
Hello,This is a common dilemma. Most of apicos used to be done by oral surgeons and prognosis was 50 % at best due to technique/materials used. When done by a properly trained endodontist as a microsurgery (under microscope with the best performing filling materials and with very little bone removed) the success is much higher-80 to 90% range. Of course a lot depends on your particular situation. Some teeth are not worth saving and implant is a better options. But in many cases microsurgery will save your natural tooth. You can always get an implant, but once the tooth is gone there''''s no way back.Hope this helps.Dr. Iofinwww.rockendo.com
Get Dentist Opinions