4 months of debilitating pain and it was just an undiscovered cavity

[KapokLeGrand]

This story is frankly unbelievable but I lived through it. I began experiencing severe dental pain in early May. I visited a local dentist who took x-rays and informed me that I had peridontal disease and my 11 remaining molars had to be extracted. Thinking this was a bit extreme, I was visiting my GP in a week anyway so I asked him about that. He examined me and said that it was likely sinusitis pressing on the top roots so sent me for a CT scan and referred me to an otolaryngologist. The specialist found no signs of sinusitis so he referred me to an oral surgeon. This specialist examined me said there was no need for extractions and prescribed Lyrica. Note that by now I'm in my third month of excruciating, debilitating pain. I went back to my GP asking his opinion on "just take Lyrica" and he referred me to another oral surgeon. This one said that 37 and 46 had to be extracted and booked it for November! I visited another dentist who took photos with an oral camera and found that 47 had a huge and very visible cavity in it. Note that this is after 4 months of specialists poking around my skull and this is the first time anyone mentioned this. He referred me to a third oral surgeon who agreed and extracted 37, 46 and 47. The IV sedation had barely worn off when I realized I HAD NO MORE PAIN (other than what would be expected by the extractions), It's been a week since and the 4 month pain adventure is over. All it was was a single cavity!

How can it be that all of these experts missed a huge and very obvious cavity as the source of the pain? I went through 4 months of Hades and spent several thousand dollars for what should have been a single quick fix and am absolutely flabbergasted!

 

[honestdoc]

What location are you in? Any licensed dentist would be able to diagnose the cavity.

 

[KapokLeGrand]

I'm in British Columbia, Canada. And these are the original x-rays taken four months ago. These were seen by all of the professionals I listed. And no one mentioned anything about this until last week. As I said, it's hard to believe!

 

[honestdoc]

I'm very surprised that your dentist and various oral surgeons did not detect that lesion on the x-ray when you pointed out that area has severe pain. Medical physicians would not know how to interpret dental x-rays.

 

[KapokLeGrand]

What is even worse is that the original dentist right after informing me that all my molars needed extraction called in the hygienist and had her do a full cleaning. Exactly why you would want to clean teeth that were going to come out is beyond me. The cavity in 47 was so large and clearly visible you could easily place a dental tool in it and move it around... and of course still no one ever mentioned anything about that tooth specifically. Nothing but a money grab with no concern whatsoever for the patient condition. Unfortunately in this province there is no Dental organization to complain to, so I have zero recourse. I am totally disgusted.

 

[honestdoc]

I still don't understand. Something is missing. Canadian dentists are very capable like in the US. Did the original dentist wanted to take the problem teeth out?

 

[KapokLeGrand]

Yes, generally I have had very good luck with dentists in Canada but I guess my luck ran out with these folks. As I stated in the original post, the first dentist took those xrays and wanted to remove all 11 remaining molars. That's when I started seeking second opinions which turned into the 4 month nightmare. The very first time anyone mentioned anything about that huge comma-shaped cavity in 47 was about 10 days ago. It's crazy.