Is it normal procedure to have a tooth extracted after the failure of a root canal treatment?

Q. I am concerned that I made the wrong decision on having a tooth removed last year as I was explaining the situation to a friend and I wanted to seek some clarification so I can put my mind at rest about the decision I made. I hope this is appropriate for me to ask the further steps I have now taken to resolve this has been to have a bridge fitted. I was experiencing toothache on a tooth that had a large filling- half the side of it had come away previously. I had root treatment carried out and was told it would be difficult with it being a back molar. The root treatment failed so I had this done again and was given a course of antibiotics. However, a week after the second root treatment I was still in pain and my dentist said that extraction was the next option or to take another course of antibiotics. I chose extraction as it was a difficult tooth and when I asked my dentist about having it built up should it be ok I was informed that ‘It would be tricky to build it out on the palatal aspect and it would cause difficulty in cleaning, stagnation and further disease’. I know there’s no point in looking back now as the tooth has gone but it this normal procedure if root canal treatment does not work? Thank you.,
A. Dear Enquirer, Root canal treatment on a back molar can sometimes be quite tricky. it seems as though your dentist has tried his/her best to try and save the tooth by carrying out a second root canal treatment. Unfortunately, as you were still experiencing pain with this tooth, the only alternative would have been to extract the tooth. It is advisable to have the extracted tooth replaced with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture to help with chewing/eating and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Kind regards, Sunita
Dr Sunita Verma Sparkle Dental Boutique 311 Boston Road, Hanwell, London, W7 2AT Web: www.sparkledentalboutique.co.uk Tel: 020 8567 4344 View My Profile Dr Verma

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