Any Dentists or Endo Docs on the forum? (Root Canal #2 question)

[Old No7]

Are there any Dentists or Endo Docs on this forum?

Here's my situation and questions.........

Do you know if “NOT treating” a small abscess on a prior root canal is a potential health risk? They tell me that you can’t just inject any antibiotic directly into it (I asked), and they have to try and redo the root canal (#2) again. But it is not bothering me at all, and it never has since Root Canal #1 was done 4 years ago. But they say that a small gray area (abscess) showed up on a recent x-Ray.

--> My endo dentist is eager to retreat it -- and he gets $1,900 (which costs me $800 out-of-pocket if it works, or $400 cash if it doesn’t).

--> And if Root Canal #2 fails, it will cost me $2,000 more out-of-pocket from my regular dentist to pull the tooth and put in a bridge — ouch!!!

That's either $800 and it works -- or $2,400 if it doesn't... Money that would be better spent on a new levergun!

Questions:

* What is the health risk of just leaving it alone, until or unless it flares up??

* And if it does, and if taking an oral antibiotic calms it down -- then why should I even bother to have root canal #2 done?

For $20 I can get the oral antibiotic… If that happens 3 times over the next twenty years, I'm hundreds of $$ ahead.

I really feel like they are more concerned with "picking my pocket" than ensuring good dental health.

Any thoughts please ? ? ?

Thanks.

Old No7

[.45colt]

I'm not a dentist. I had three dentists tell Me in the last fifteen years that most of the molars in my mouth needed to have all the fillings re-done or the teeth capped. one group wanted $13k . got fired by one dental group because of a charge of $50.00 because My wife called and cancelled an appointment as she was exposed to covid. I went into the office and complained loudly.... After that I found a Lady Dentist who fixed a broken tooth, pulled one wisdom tooth and said everything else is fine. All for less that $500 .
I would try to find another dentist for another opinion and if your not in pain listen to your body. Good Luck!

[TomF]

I'm not a dentist either. I have had 2 root canals and both caused me trouble and we're eventually extracted. Both, at separate times, were inflamed, treated with antibiotics until cleared up and at separate times were removed. Since then, no more root canals.

[.45colt]

And I should add that two weeks ago We were in Tennessee and took the "Tasting Tour" at Jack Daniels. You know what I recommend for Pain. . .

[Ysabel Kid]

And I should add that two weeks ago We were in Tennessee and took the "Tasting Tour" at Jack Daniels. You know what I recommend for Pain. . .

I bet "Old No7" agrees!

[Old No7]

And I should add that two weeks ago We were in Tennessee and took the "Tasting Tour" at Jack Daniels. You know what I recommend for Pain. . .

I bet "Old No7" agrees!

Heck yeah!

I did the tour last summer! I probably need to post some pictures on this forum.

O'ld No7

[piller]

I have had problems with my teeth. Every root canal eventually ended up in a broken tooth being totally removed. I trust the antibiotics more.

[Ysabel Kid]

Heck yeah!

I did the tour last summer! I probably need to post some pictures on this forum.

O'ld No7

Yes you do!

[Sixgun]

It’s all a racket to get you to keep on coming back………..”fill it or pull it”…anything else is going to cost you money and within a few years they are gonna pull it anyway………I’ve been there …….pull it…..well, let the dentist pull it and if he refuses just tell him you will find a dentist who will.

[6pt-sika]

There hasn’t been a human tooth in my mouth in about five years now . Had total uppers for 7 or 8 years and finally got the last four out of the bottom in 2019 and put in three implants to hold a complete set of bottoms . No more tooth aches etc . Time to time I might get a gum rub from something getting under one of them but I can deal with that.

[Blaine]

Sure, just pull 'em.

[Grizz]

works for me