Abscess 2 months after root canal (tooth, pulled, pain, molar)

[Zdp]

I recently had a root canal and crown on my bottom back molar done by my dentist. I had 9 fillings and bottom wisdom done before we got to the root canal. I went back to the dentist about 2 months after In severe pain the x ray machine was down and he offered to give me painkillers and antibiotics in the waiting room. Luckily the X-ray machines worked and he took a look and gave me painkillers and said I had three options wait out the trauma, go back in and place medicine in, see a specialist and or extract it! I was not happy and saw a new dentist the next day and he said it is an obvious abscess! My question is if I have to go to an endo now should the doctor who did the failed root canal be obligated to reimburse me. The secretary from the second opinion office has called me and said that she believes I should get my co pay back. I just don’t see how he took xrays aNd didn’t see an obvious abscess while a differemt doctor took xrays the next day and obviously saw them. The original dentist called for the new xrays as well which is fishy. Help!!!

[crd08]

In my opinion, a reputable dentist will NOT do a root canal on a back molar. You should have seen an endo from day 1. It does sound like he/she did see the infection when you went in, which is why they gave you antibiotics and said to see a specialist or have it extracted. Are you 100% sure it's the same tooth? You did have a lot of work done.

My knowledge is limited, but there are a few things that I think could have happened. Debris could have been left behind in the tooth and caused an infection. A canal could have been missed. This can lead to the development of a repeat abscessed and the need for more treatment. A root could be cracked, which are almost impossible to detect at the time of root canal and are only confirmed after a tooth that will not heal is pulled. You could have a leaky crown. A leaking crown allows bacteria in and can lead to an infection of the tissue around the tooth.

I'd go see that endo as soon as you can unless you just want to have it pulled.

[toofache32]

My dad had a heart attack which required stents in his coronary arteries. A few months later he had another heart attack! Should I ask for a refund for those stents? That cardiologist obviously didn't know what he was doing since ALL medical care should result in perfect results!!