My son (6 years old) has a growth on the back of his palate. I took him to see an oral surgeon - they have no idea what it is. All they can do is excise and biopsy.

They want to put him under general anesthesia for the procedure which isnt covered by insurance (about 2k).

Has anyone seen anything like this before? He's an otherwise healthy child. He does have decay (silver diamine floride treatment) on his front teeth but thats it. None of my younger children have it either.

My mom tripped over her flipflop and fell face flat on the road while taking out the dog. She fell face flat and has broken her two front teeth. The right front tooth is broken but the broken piece is still in her mouth. The left front tooth is also broken diagonally. We are not able to find the broken part. Her two front teeth are still in the mouth and are not wobbling.

Would this require an extraction?

The first image is a front view. The second is from the bottom when it freshly happened.

I feel so upset for her. She has a beautiful smile.

I’m looking for advice from dentists because I don’t know what my options are anymore.

Timeline

July 9,2026
A root canal was started.
I underwent multiple root canal appointments, but the pain never resolved.

July 21, 2026
During my third root canal session, let’s call him Dr. Two, took another X-ray because I was still in pain.
He told me that my canals were “deviated,” that the case was honestly too complicated for him to handle, and recommended extraction with an implant instead.
I had already paid a $500 down payment toward treatment.
The implant treatment would cost me around US$3,000, which is simply a very very significant financial burden for me.

July 22, 2026
Before agreeing to extract the tooth, I sought a second opinion with Dr. Three.
He took new X-rays and examined the tooth.
He found that there is a separated canal file lodged inside the canal (I forgot what exactly he called it).
According to Dr. Three, the separated instrument prevented the canal from being completely cleaned.
He attempted to see if the tooth could still be saved but ultimately concluded that it can no longer be salvaged and now also recommends extraction.

What concerns me
I understand that instruments can sometimes separate during root canal treatment, and I’m not saying that alone is malpractice.
What concerns me is that:
- I was never told an instrument had separated.
- I was never informed that this complication had occurred.
- I was told instead that my canals were “deviated.”
- I was never referred to an endodontist after the complication.
- I only learned about the separated instrument after seeking a second opinion because I wanted to avoid extraction.

My questions

1. Is it standard practice to disclose a separated instrument to the patient?
2. If an instrument separates and prevents proper cleaning of the canal, should the patient typically be referred to an endodontist?
3. If you were in my position, how would you handle this with the original dentist? Would you request a refund of the treatment fees or pursue another course of action?

I’m attaching:
The original X-rays.
The X-ray taken when extraction was first recommended.
The X-rays from today’s second opinion.

I don't drink or smoke. I do drink coffee. I had a long dentist visit a couple of weeks ago, which included a root canal.

The side of my mouth that they worked on was sore after, because it was a long visit. And this part of my mouth just felt weird. But I figured it was just healing.

Then the last couple days, I started having really bad breath. Like, rotten breath. And then this gross taste in my mouth. Then I looked at this and it looks just weird.

It feels like there are layers of skin pulling off of it.

Idk if it's infected, but it seems gross. I should be going to the dentist again in the next couple days but I wanted to ask here.

Edit to add details

I took antibiotics for a week following my appointment. I am bad at remembering to take meds, so it took me longer than a week to finish them, but I did finish them. It has been about 6 days since I finished the antibiotics.

I'm mostly worried that it could be infected because of the taste and smell. It's really gross.

Hi! i recently got told i have a shit ton of cavities, like A LOT, an absurd amount. i do snack a lot on sweets and had other problems that probably contributed to this, but still it was shocking.

i’ve started brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and swishing my mouth with water after everything i eat.

i don’t know if ill be able to get them filled soon, as i have very little money saved, but that is on my agenda.

anyway, i enjoy eating out, since im not too good of a cook. i like subway, qdoba, and other fast food restaurants like that. obviously i should avoid desserts and stuff, but what would i be able to eat today without making the decay worse? i want to look after my teeth, but still enjoy my life and not obsess over it.

any help is appreciated!

Seeking a second opinion, they are causing me no pain 19F

My daughter is 6 and has a dental abscess from a cavity. We were just at the dentist in April and she goes regularly. She just had X-rays done and aside from that abscess (on abx), she has 3 other small cavities. I feel like the most awful parent in the world but also blindsided because I’m very adamant about my daughter’s oral health. She brushes 2 times a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and flosses. Dentist says her molar contacts are very tight putting her at high risk for cavities. Next week is extraction apt for the one tooth (upper right molar). He says he will probably fill the other small cavities since she won’t lose those for quite a while.
I’ve discussed this with my daughter and ensured her that I and my husband will be right there with her and she will be able to watch a movie on the tv that is right above her and the appointment should only take about 15 minutes so it will be very quick.
I just feel defeated because as a parent I thought I was doing everything I was supposed to.
Looking for reassurance I guess. Is this common in kids? It’s it common even kids who brushy their teeth?

I haven’t got my teeth cleaned for 2 years now due to losing insurance and not having any. My teeth feel like they are at their worst state, even after brushing them they feel rough. Whenever I floss my gums bleed. Some parts of my gum especially in the first picture beside my canine tooth stays red and inflamed and has been like that for weeks now. The redness won’t go away. I have a lot of plaque buildup and decalification. I also have really bad health anxiety. I’m in a situation where I don’t know what to do since I don’t have insurance.

Saw this in the back of my mouth by my uvula, and need a little help. It doesn't hurt and I don't have any problems swallowing. I don't even feel it, just saw it today.

I was told they would go away by themselves 5 years ago.. but they are still here (maybe a little less pronounced now). If I shave them would it be just for cosmetic reasons or is there a physiological benefit? Will it hurt? Thanks

How bad does it look? I quit going to the dentist during Covid as I was 17, then my parents took me off their insurance at 18. I haven’t had good dental insurance since until now. I’m 22 F, just had a baby. My teeth look worse now than ever. I admittedly am not great at the upkeep of my teeth. I have recently been brushing/flossing everyday at night for about 2 weeks. Gums are more swollen now than they were and bugging me. Why would they get more swollen? They have stopped bleeding on top and stopped bleeding as much (still a bit) on bottom as they were 2 weeks ago. What are the overly white sections? I used to only have one section of overly white on my front tooth for as long as I can remember growing up, but now it’s all 4 front teeth. The bottom front tooth now the gum is lower in a spot and can be moved

Non-smoker.

What could it be?

For context I have one impacted wisdom tooth on the right side and I was advised to take it out about six months ago..

ive been in a lot of pain over the last few weeks and its been impossible to brush my teeth on the right side too because it just bleeds too much.. it looks like my wisdom tooth is emerging somehow? but now the gum around it looks weird i don't know if just getting a cleaning will fix this or if its finally time for me to somehow get my wisdom tooth removed.

I have a problem and it has occurred throughout my life over the past ~20 years at many different dentists.

It is clearly a me problem and not a them problem. For treatments like fillings and root canals I can never get fully numb. 

I am not lying or trying to make anyone's life or job more difficult. I can feel pain. It's almost the exact same pain as when a nerve has died and you need a root canal.

I have told dentists this in the past and they either do not believe me and say its impossible as they've already done such and such block or that they are almost done and I just need to push through.

I try to push through. Believe I am not one to speak up.  I take it as long as I can until I feel on the verge of blacking out or crying. Even when I get my monthly pedicure my foot will be rubbed raw and she will ask why I didn't say something.  I truly hate bothering people especially when they do not believe me.

​I know this can happen with infected teeth but it has also happened to me on fillings both large and small in all 4 mouth corners. 

I also do not have red hair but much of my family does. I do suffer from severe anxiety and panic disorder but premedicate with a double dose of my benzo (with doctor's okay) as well as a beta blocker. I know it may help if I was able to relax and have less adrenaline but I am simply not able to. 

Is there anything specific I should tell the dentist in advance? Is there anything that be done for me besides paying thousands for IV sedation each time?

Thank you for your time.

I'm quite prone to cavities, however in my last 4 dental visits my Doctor didn't varnish my teeth. I could have asked but it just came to my mind, and my next appointment is on Monday. I was wondering what you guys think.

Hey,

For context, I was on braces 9-10 years ago, and I recently noticed a change in my smile. Wore my retainers for those 9-10 years, and now the bottom ones are loose, also noticed a slight open bite. Asked dentist what to do, and they said probably get new retainers and MAYBE Invisalign, but ask ortho just to be sure. Ortho quoted me $5700 for Invisalign, said I'd need 36 trays, and even offered me multiple payment plans ($1700 down payment for $200 monthly for 20 months, or they'll give me a "student discount" for $5500 if I paid in full).

Just am not really sure if it's worth it to be on Invisalign. I only have $2000 in my bank account and I work retail and am in school part time (hence the student discount thing). Been told that regardless I have an amazing smile.

I am kind of thinking about getting new retainers and maybe dealing with this issue when I am more financially stable. But I don't know if this is something I can sleep on. Am going to head back to my dentist and ask if they have a better deal than $5500 for Invisalign. If not, I'll probably just get new retainers. Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance.

Smoke/Drink: Yes drink.
Medical conditions: N/A

I went to Dr. A in December and he said I have cracks in some of my old silver fillings as well as cavities under them. I felt like he was pushing treatment so I didn’t get them filled.

Today I go to a different dentist and he says I don’t have any cavities and it’s just staining. I don’t know what to do now. Obviously I don’t want to walk around with cavities but I also don’t want to have unnecessary work done especially when I’m paying out of pocket.

I would really appreciate a professional opinion from dentists or endodontists.

I had a lower second molar that was planned as an abutment for a 3-unit zirconia bridge.

During the root canal treatment, my dentist told me he could only treat one canal because he could not negotiate the other canal.

According to my records:

only one canal was filled,

I have no documentation of a post-operative periapical X-ray,

the definitive zirconia bridge was cemented about two weeks later.

About six weeks later I developed pain, the tooth became infected, and it had to be extracted. The bridge was therefore lost.

My question is:

Would you consider it acceptable to use such a tooth as a definitive bridge abutment, or would you normally wait, refer to an endodontist, or confirm healing first?

I am not asking for legal advice, only whether this treatment would generally be considered good clinical practice.

For the past month, it has been a constant dull pain. Sometimes would get quite sore, but manageable. But now, in just a day, the pain has gone! But it keeps coming back as a SEVERE sharp pain across my entire right side of my face. From the top of my head, to my ear, to my jaw. It only lasts 5 or so minutes. But it's extremely painful, much more than it has been. I know some people have relief from the aching when the nerve dies. I know the infection is still there, and I plan on having it out still even if the pain did stop. But I hope it is my nerve that's dying, and once it has died. The pain stops even for a few days. Because right now it's almost bringing me to tears

I drink alcohol 1-3 times a week, dont smoke, and don't drink much sugary drinks.

Trying to make a decision if I really need to spend all this money for a crown.

I have a filling that was done less than 2 years ago(Its the tooth circled on the left) and my dentist recommended I should get a crown for it back in January.

They asked this again when I went back recently because now I am going to have to get 2 cavities filled they say (circled on right)

Usually I follow a doctor's instructions but this office will have their nurses constantly try to sell stuff (IE electric tooth brushes and water picks) during the appointments.

So Im not sure if I am being ripped off or not.

So im not afraid of a dentist but really hate being poked and prodded so I avoid it. My genetics have great teeth and my smile is good and im almost 30 and have insurance. But was recently experiencing jaw pain and some tooth pain as I grind my teeth at times. So I booked the first place who could get me in(a nationwide chain) and then one after with a private practice who i wanted to see as well. Wow. The difference was so drastic i was dumbfounded. The treatment plans between the two were a $15,000 difference with insurance. I need some fillings in molars and a mouth guard nothing crazy like a little over $1k. The chain dental plan was 2 root canals, 6 crowns, and that i had early periodontal disease and needed thousands in treatment for it and it all should happen asap. The private practice tried there best to keep a straight face when I asked about my bone loss and what that means for the future because there was no signs of periodontal or gum disease. There evaluations were nearly identical. Is that a typical experience with a chain vs private or could it be the difference between young vs older dentists? Im not too familiar with dentistry so im curious

Description of the problem: I noticed some small dark spots inside the grooves of my lower molar. As far as I can remember, they have looked like this and remained stable for about a year. I don't have any pain, sensitivity to hot/cold, or discomfort when chewing. I already have a routine dental check-up scheduled soon, but I wanted an initial opinion based on the photo.
Smoking and alcohol: I do not smoke and do not consume alcohol.
Medical history & medications: I have no relevant medical conditions and do not take any regular medications.
note: the photo was taken right after eating
I tried using a toothpick, but they don't come off, which seems strange to me

I got 4&13 extracted along with a bone graft yesterday ! I’m not in pain and stopped bleeding. I didn’t swell up either. But when I bite down it sometimes feels like I have small pieces of sand in my mouth so I want to make sure everything looks normal bc it looks very white in these two areas.