I had a root canal done on a back tooth and am now planning on getting an infected and impacted wisdom tooth extracted. The tooth which had the root canal treatment still bothers me. I want both teeth extracted, but my dentist only wants to take out the wisdom tooth. I’ve decided to wait until I can get a dentist who will do both. But, it’s hard to get second opinions right now with COVID-19 going on. Can you recommend someone who would just do the procedure?
Mandy
Dear Mandy,
I can’t tell you what dentists will agree to what you want, but I do have something for you to think about which may help you decide how to proceed. I’m trying to picture your dentist being offered to take out two teeth instead of one. He’d certainly make more money doing that. Who would want to turn down more money, especially now when dentists are having a severe loss in income due to the COVID-19 quarantine?
I can only think of one reason. He’s a man of integrity and feels the tooth treated with the root canal treatment is fine. Often an infection or impaction in one tooth can refer pain to another. Plus, he’s saving you significant money. Not only will you not have to pay for a second extraction, but you won’t have the cost of replacing that second tooth.
Don’t Put Off Treating Tooth Infections
I’m concerned that you’re putting off getting an infected tooth treated. These are considered dental emergencies for a very good reason. Your jaw is in close proximity to your brain, heart, and lungs. Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone aren’t enough for treatment. All they do is temporarily hold the infection off.
In order to treat this, a dentist has to physically go in and remove the infected tissue. This is typically done with a root canal treatment unless the tooth is too far gone or, like in your case, it is an impacted tooth which needs to be removed anyway. When that happens, they extract the tooth.
I’m going to strongly suggest you get the wisdom tooth extracted. If after you’ve healed from that your tooth with the root canal treatment is still bothering you, then you have all the “I told you so” rights and can have the second tooth extracted.
This blog is brought to you by Emergency Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis of Portage, MI.