Dental Series: How to Avoid Regret Part 1
“I Wish I Didn’t Have to Get That Tooth Pulled… Cases of Extractions Due to Misdiagnosis or Insufficient Diagnosis, and the Importance of Second Opinions”
Tooth pain is a universal suffering, causing significant distress to anyone, regardless of race or country. Imagine the anxiety and panic if you were struck by severe, unexplained pain in a foreign land where you couldn’t communicate.
Let me share a recent case involving a woman in her 40s I treated. She was the wife of a diplomat at an embassy in a certain African country. She explained that she had experienced pain in her upper left tooth while still in her home country. At a local dental clinic there, the first tooth was extracted. However, her symptoms didn’t improve, so a second tooth was extracted. Yet, the pain only continued to worsen.
The “True Cause” Found Under the Microscope
Upon examining her mouth, I confirmed two teeth were missing in the front left upper area, one of which had a wound that appeared to be healing. For upper teeth, I suspected possible bone infection, healing failure, or even maxillary sinusitis. However, the wound itself looked clean and showed no signs of inflammation.
Therefore, as usual, we used a microscope for a thorough examination and discovered a surprising finding. Hidden on the “back side” of the deepest left upper wisdom tooth was a deep cavity. While the tooth appeared clean at first glance, there was a hole in the part hidden behind the cheek, something easily missed with the naked eye or a regular mirror.
The cavity had progressed internally from an area with poor cleaning, causing inflammation all the way to the nerve. In other words, the true cause was the wisdom tooth.
Lost Teeth and Regret
Once the diagnosis was confirmed, extraction was the only viable treatment option. Losing three teeth in quick succession was a significant shock for the patient, and it was a difficult decision for me as well. Fortunately, the post-extraction recovery went well, and at a follow-up visit, the patient expressed gratitude, saying, “The pain is gone, it’s like a miracle.”
However, the first two teeth that were extracted cannot be brought back. If the diagnosis had been correct and the cause identified earlier, those two teeth might have been saved. This is by no means a special case; it’s a reality that can happen to anyone.
The Importance of a Second Opinion
The decision to “extract” a tooth is irreversible; once done, it cannot be undone. That’s precisely why I strongly recommend seeking a second opinion when faced with an extraction diagnosis.
- Hear another dentist’s diagnosis and compare
- Get examined at a clinic equipped with precision diagnostic tools like microscopes
- Receive explanations until you are fully satisfied
Following this process can prevent the regret of thinking, “I wish I hadn’t had it extracted…”
Summary
This case may seem extreme, but the loss of teeth that didn’t need to be extracted due to inadequate diagnosis is a real possibility. Teeth are precious; once lost, they cannot be regained.
When you question, “Is extraction truly the only option?”, that’s precisely when a second opinion is essential. Obtaining a correct diagnosis and a sense of satisfaction before proceeding with treatment is the first step toward avoiding regret in the long journey of life.
Please, everyone, consider seeking “another opinion” to protect your precious teeth.