Why Would I Need a Root Canal on a Tooth with a New Crown?

Posted by AllSmiles

In October, my dentist put a crown over one of my upper right molars. The tooth was cracked and had an old silver filling in. The dentist had problems getting my tooth numb, so it felt like electric shocks when she was drilling.

When the dentist checked my bite with my crown, I told her that it was uncomfortable and hurt to bite down. She adjusted the crown twice while I was there. And when I still wasn’t happy, she told me to give it a couple of weeks. It hurt to floss around the crown. I gave it a couple of weeks, and nothing improved. In mid-November, I called the office again, complained, and insisted on a new crown. My dentist adjusted the crown instead and started talking about two more crowns that I needed.

I declined to get two more crowns until I knew the first one was okay. My dentist asked me to wait two more weeks after adjusting to the crown. Shouldn’t a crown fit correctly when I leave the dental office? Anyway, the crown still wasn’t right, so I had another appointment with my dentist. She replaced the crown with a temporary one and said I needed root canal treatment. I wonder if this is an issue my dentist should have noticed before placing a crown. Now she says that the tooth has a periapical abscess.

My dentist has not offered a refund or admitted that she misjudged the condition of my tooth. I want to get a refund before switching dentists. Do you have any advice? BJ from Georgia

 

BJ,

Although you need to see a skilled dentist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, we will provide general information.

Treating a Cracked Tooth with an Old Filling in It

When a tooth cracks, it often needs treatment in addition to a crown. However, putting a crown over a tooth with internal damage will not resolve the underlying issue.

• A cracked tooth may require root canal treatment.
• Some sensitivity after getting a crown is normal, but it shouldn’t linger. You should not feel pain.
• A well-made and correctly placed dental crown will blend with your bite without you noticing it. Your dentist should have told you that you might need a root canal.

Based on your conversation with your dentist, she seemed more concerned about completing your dental work than doing it well. However, getting a refund may be tricky in your situation.

Can You Get a Refund from Your Dentist?

It is possible to get a refund from your dentist if you can prove that your dentist didn’t meet the standard of care she promised. You have several ways to try to get a refund. Although you may not have a case against your dentist for wanting to place two more crowns, your new faulty crown might give you a good chance.

• A lawsuit – A lawsuit requires you to prove your dentist’s negligence. Your description sounds like your dental was negligent, but the details you gave us aren’t enough to determine if she is liable. A malpractice attorney can decide that for you.
• Complain to the dental board – Although you can file a complaint, the Georgia State Dental Board may not consider your case as a dental procedure that went bad. Although your dentist doesn’t know how to adjust your bite, she did not drastically deviate from protocol.
• Online reviews – You can tell your dentist that you will leave negative online reviews about your experience. Check her current online reviews. If they are mostly positive, a negative review will concern her. Otherwise, it might not have an impact.

Periapical Abscess and Root Canal Treatment

A periapical abscess is a collection of pus at your tooth root that results from an infection. It means that the pulp—living tissue, vessels, and nerves—inside the tooth is dead. Dead nerves inside a tooth mean that you won’t feel any pain inside the tooth from root canal treatment.

An upper molar tooth is more challenging to treat. An endodontist (root canal specialist) can treat your tooth; you probably won’t need an extraction. If you ask a dentist to extract the tooth, you must replace it. Otherwise, your teeth will begin to drift, disrupt your bite, and possibly cause jaw-joint discomfort.

If you are uncomfortable with your dentist, we recommend getting a second opinion from a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite. The dentist will understand how to achieve harmony with your bite so you can speak and eat comfortably.

You may also need a referral to a root canal specialist to save your tooth and avoid needing a dental implant or partial denture.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. We cater to patients with dental anxiety.