I’ve been a patient of Dr. B Goodman for over 10 years. For routine teeth cleanings, I was pretty content with Dr. Goodman and his staff. The trouble started when I initially complained about a toothache, but it was dismissed because the x-ray didn’t show signs of a cavity. I was relieved to hear that I didn’t have a cavity but within the next 2 visits, the same tooth was still giving me trouble and it was uncovered that I indeed had a cavity. The cavity was now deep enough that I needed a root canal.
May 2021, I had the root canal. This was my first ever root canal.
July 2021, I noticed a gray line near my gumline and called the office. Dr. Goodman had me come in for a replacement crown. He explained that when blood leaks into the bonding mechanism, it creates discoloration.
Nov 2021, the tooth was still achy. So, I made an apt and saw him again Dec. 2021.
Dec 2021, it was discussed that the replacement crown was too small (they didn’t have the image of the original tooth when they made the 2nd replacement) and that food was getting trapped causing discomfort. He had to “shaved” down a neighbor tooth to make the new crown fit tightly. This was now my 3rd crown on that same tooth.
Jan-Feb 2022, I was still experiencing achiness and now heat/cold sensitivity. I called the office and was informed that this was now out of Dr. Goodman’s scope, and he will be referring me to an endodontist for a possible “treatment”.
I didn’t know what/who an endodontist was but being newly pregnant, I was advised by my OB to wait until my second trimester.
Aug 2022, I went in for a consultation with my endodontist. After a 3D x-ray it was confirmed that I needed a root canal treatment. During my initial root canal (May 2021), the previous measurement of my canal was 19 mm. The root canal treatment measured the length of my canal at 20 mm. Because the initial root canal filling didn’t extend far enough, I had a bacterial infection which was why I was experiencing pain/discomfort.
Giving my time as a patient, I had a lot of trust in Dr. Goodman. I wish I was informed prior to my root canal that there are specialists who are qualified to perform this procedure. I am extremely disappointed that my post root canal visits with Dr. Goodman did not include thorough examinations to determine the underlying issue as to why I was feeling discomfort. It was always, “oh, it’s the crown that’s the issue”.
In my opinion and experience, giving that the cost of the initial root canal with a general dentist is the same as one with an endodontist, who specializes in root canals, I will be choosing the service of an endodontist moving forward.