Ok, so I have had a root canal, and three (3) root canal surgeries afterwards due to pain. I’ve been offered a tooth implant, but my fear is that if I do get an implant, that the pain will still be there, and I no longer have my #9 tooth. And, I do not like to be vain, but I have a great smile and I’m scared that the implant will not look like my current tooth. I’ve been seen by an endodontist recently who said that he could do a 4th surgery but the chances of it being successful gets smaller with the amount of surgeries I have already had. Now, what makes this all questionable to me and I have no idea what’s been done right or not, is that the root canal and the three surgeries were done at an Air Force Base. What would you suggest I do? I would like to explore all other options before extracting my tooth and getting an implant. Is there a chance that the pain could continue after the tooth is exacted? Right now, I can not chew with the tooth and it’s extremely sensitive right under my nose (hurts to blow my nose, because of the pressure applied). I guard the tooth by pushing my tongue up against it in the back so that it does not hurt. Just by placing my finger on the tooth and not pushing on it causes pain. Any suggestions would be great, thank you!
- Jamie from Kansas
Jamie,
I can’t tell, from what you’re telling me, what is the right thing to do here. Sometimes these pain issues are tricky, and it can feel like your pain is coming from a tooth but it’s coming from somewhere else, so you have to take what I say with a grain of salt. But if the pain is coming from the tooth, and the tooth is taken out, that should end the pain. An implant will not have that infection around it.
I would agree that after a root canal treatment has failed, and you’ve had three root canal surgeries, the chances that another surgery would work are slim. Generally, we quit after one surgery. Though having them done at an Air Force base raises the question of whether or not they were done well. But your endodontist should be able to tell you that. Endodontists generally are a little on the pessimistic side. They tend to underestimate the chances of success.
If the tooth can’t be saved and you need a dental implant, it can be made to look very esthetic and matched to your other teeth, but you need an excellent dentist. Ask around to get a good referral – that would be my suggestion.
Good luck.