Q. I had a root canal about 5 years ago, earlier this year I developed an infection in the gum above this tooth. Xrays show that the end of a metal tool was left in the gum. Is it possible that my dentist was not aware of this, as I think it unlikely. She never told me about it and I have been told that I must have the tooth extracted due to the infection. This dentist also broke off a drill bit under my sisters tooth, who had to go to the dental hospital to fix it so this is by no means a one off. Is this a regular thing that happens? Is there anyway, seeing as part of one of her tools would be missing, she would have not known about this to inform me. Another dentist has told me that I can take it further, is there a ‘offcom’ for dentists? And as I now face a large bill to sort this how would I go about trying to make a claim of she was at fault.