Q. I lost a top tooth, fourth from front, due to infection four years ago. My dentist fitted a bridge to the next ajoining tooth which lasted three years and then decayed underneath. It kept falling out and in June my dentist removed it, used the remainder of the tooth,strengthened with metal pins and bridged from the my next tooth at the back. On July 6th I went to have my permanent bridge filled. The temporary had been fine but sensitive to cold, which I mentioned. The temp had to be drilled off and this was very uncomfortable in contact with cold, which I mentioned. When the new bridge was fitted it felt fine apart from sensitivity which I hoped would improve. It did not and became worse with my jaw and ear aching and so I returned to the dentist last week who gave me 400g ibuprofen and anti -biotics as he said there is now an infection in the root. He implied that is was my fault as I had not returned early enough, however I had explained about the sensitivity when it was being fitted and was told it would settle down. It had only been fitted two weeks before. I paid £1200 for this work and am very concerned about the resolution of this problem and that I may loose the tooth and bridge. I am also due to go on holiday in less than two weeks time and have lost faith in my dentist. Please advise.

A. It might be possible to either root treat the tooth through the bridge or remove the bridge, root treat the tooth and cement the bridge back in. Either way it sounds like you need to get this sorted ASAP. You could try another dentist maybe an Endodontist who specialises in root canal work if you have lost confidence in your existing dentist? Regards Andrew

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG