Should I go back to the dentist?!

Should I go back to the dentist?

I had a tooth out last Friday (nightmare) the dentist started panicing as he couldn't get it out - I'd got an abscess he kept drilling - giving me more anaesthetic - drilling - pushing for over an hour. I was terrified enough without him saying how it wouldn't come and he'd have to try something else - he was sweating profusely, complaining his hand was hurting and getting bad tempered as the phone kept ringing. It was awful...if I thought I was dreading the experience before I got there, now I swear I can't go thru such a thing again. My face is badly bruised, but I've got toothache in the opposite side of my mouth and in my lower jaw...I've also got something sharp sticking out of my gum. He did tell me, he'd had to leave some root in, saying it would make its way out, perhaps taking a couple of years. I've lost faith in him as a dentist, but didn't know if I should go and see another one for a second opinion.
Do I need to go back regarding the sharp object and toothache though

Yes, you need to go and see a dentist, but it doesn't have to be the same one. In the UK you are entitled to simply visit another dentist without even informing the previous one or giving a reason. If you have trouble locating another dentist near to you you can use the NHS Dentist Search facility www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/De... or ring your local Primary Care Trust (PCT - in the phone book) for a list. Alternatively ask friends and family for a recommendation.

To clarify though, it is relatively common practice for very small fragments of root to be left behind provided they are smaller than about 2-3mm in, well below the surface in bone and that digging around to take the fragment out would cause more trauma than simply leaving it. Yes, there is a small risk of infection but there is also good evidence that the majority of these roots cause no problems. A large percentage will work themselves out over a period of time.

Since, however, your dentist had so much trouble with getting the piece out, it is unlikely to have come loose enough now by itself to work to the surface. The sharp fragment you describe is actually more likely to be a piece of bone which has broken off, a common occurrence following extraction of molars. They can usually be removed very easily.

The pain in your jaw is unsurprising given the difficulty of this extraction. You obviously had your mouth stretched open for a long period of time, and considerable pressure placed on the muscles. These will heal, but will take several days. Taking painkillers and using either an ice pack, or a warm pack - whichever you fnd most soothing - can help.

The "toothache" you describe could be related to muscle spasm and bruising rather than actual toothache, but it would be best to get this checked out at a early stage. Early toothache can often be successfully treated without needing to extract the tooth, and I'm sure you want to avoid another extraction!

Only examination by a dentist can confirm all these things, or find out what the actual problem is. I hope it all gets sorted out for you.