Dr. Hall,
One specialist tells me I have a fractured root on a 3-year old root canal on my lower left molar (#19). There is an abscess/burst/bad taste/mild throbbing, sensitivity, and generally, I feel tired and foggy-brained since this started swelling 3 weeks ago. I’m scheduled for an extraction and implant later, but must wait over 3 more weeks for the extraction. It feels urgent to have this tooth out and to start feeling better. I’ve asked the specialist to get me in sooner, but it looks like I will have to wait. Should I find another specialist to remove the tooth? What are the consequences of waiting for the extraction/infection growing? Thanks for your advice on this.
– Jeanne in Arizona
Jeanne,
Unless they’ve given you some clinical reason that you should wait to have this tooth extraction done, I’d find someone who can get this done faster. You’re not saying what specialist you’re dealing with – I’ll assume it’s an oral surgeon as that would be the normal situation. You don’t necessarily need an oral surgeon to take out tooth #19. I doubt it would be that complicated. I’d tell your dentist who referred you to this specialist that this is unacceptable to you and you want him or her to refer you to someone who can get you in faster. Or you can go out and find someone on your own. You can call oral surgeons’ offices, or you can call general dentists. Unless there’s something unusual about this tooth #19 besides the fractured root, a good general dentist who does a lot of extractions would ordinarily be able to take it out.
In the meantime, before you get it out, this infection can grow, and it can become more entrenched. It PROBABLY won’t cause any serious complications to wait, but it could, and there’s apparently no reason to wait except that you have to deal with the schedule of the specialist. The biggest reason is that you’re uncomfortable. It also makes you more vulnerable to other ailments, while you’re battling this infection.
Good luck,
Dr. Hall
Related links:
Ask Dr. Hall a question
Infected tooth
Failed root canal
We thank our advertisers who help fund this site. |
|
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
Leave a Reply