to be this devestated?

[januaryblues123]

Even I think I may be being a little unreasonable as this is exactly a third world problem but here goes.

Two weeks ago I went to the dentist and he told me I would need root canal on one of my molars so I booked in for a week later (last week). When I got there I had to see a different dentist as he was off sick but I got reassured she was the head dentist and was very good so I saw her. She told me the tooth was dead and needed to be removed, I was unsure but went ahead. First of all it really hurt she had to saw the tooth in half to get it out, then she really had to put a lot of pressure on my face as I would not loosen up or come out eventually she did it but I could literally feel it happening which I thought was unusual?

Today I was supposed to go for a check up and again was told I would have to see a different dentist yet again, so I decided to go to another practice all together as I wasn't happy with the treatment I had had. When I got seen today the dentist was unsure as to why the tooth had been pulled and said root canal should have been sufficient. She also told me that the brace i'm due to have on next month was unlikely to be able to close the gap (which the other dentist had assured me it would otherwise I wouldn't have had the tooth removed) now my only option is to have a dental implant which I really can't afford at the moment or be left with a huge gap.

I went home and burst out crying, I feel like such an idiot, I was insecure about my teeth and smile in the first place and now I have a huge hole in my mouth.

The sensations sound about right i'm afraid, but the advice seems conflicting

can you make an official complaint and demand some answers?

If the tooth was already removed how could the new dentist know it didn't need to be?

I wouldn't necessarily trust this new dentist over the old one if you don't have experience of them. Is it worth trying the brace for a while to see if it helps?

Oh no, I’m not surprised you are devastated! Sounds like a lot of pain and I know what you mean about teeth affecting confidence.
Does the dentist you saw today have any advice on what you could do to make your teeth something you would be happier with? Is it worth getting a third opinion from a recommended dental clinic? Whereabouts are you, someone on here may be able to suggest one?
I’d also advise following the complaints procedure. My dad had an awful experience with a dentist a few years ago, left him with terrible damage which has cost thousands for him to have fixed (like you he was devastated). The dentist was fined and struck off from practising (turned out my dad wasn’t the only one to complain!).

Lots of unmumsnetty hugs to you.

How would the todays dentist at a different practice have the foggiest clue what state your tooth was in? No one will see the gap, it's at the back.

TBH, sounds like he's touting for business.

It's a molar so unless you try swallow someone like an anaconda, it's unlikely people are going to spot it and even if you did, they won't have anyone to share the news with.
TBH, I can't imagine how a dentist would be able to see what the tooth was based on the hole itself. They don't now your dental history. Seems like he was angling for a bit of a business, implants are expensive.

Trying to be positive....

Root canal is super expensive and a tooth removal is cheap so one consultation is the cost!! I've had a few root canals that don't work properly and have needed redoing. It's very expensive and has sometimes been extremely painful.