My dentist took the crown off an abscessed molar and did a second root canal on the tooth. I had my first root canal in 2013. After the root canal, I had an ongoing infection for six weeks. My dentist referred me to an endodontist who got rid of the infection, but he told me not to wear a crown for a few months. I decided that if the tooth gave me any more problems, I would have sedation and an extraction. My dentist ordered a new crown, which I paid for half in advance. I asked for a refund because the specialist told me not to get a crown for a while, and I want to see if the tooth will last. But my dentist’s office will not refund me. Am I unreasonable? – Lola from SC

Lola,

Your request is polite and reasonable. It is not wise to crown a root canal tooth until you know treatment is successful. And the specialist recommended that you wait, too. Some root canal treatments fail the first time. But this is the second treatment for your tooth. So, the risk of failure increases. And your next appointment may be for sedation and extraction.

Getting a Refund for a Pre-Ordered Crown You May Not Need

Your dentist did not necessarily do anything wrong with your root canal procedure. But it is fair for him to be responsible for ordering a crown without knowing the treatment results. Your dentist should be aware of the risks of repeat root canal treatment and be willing to refund you for the crown and all fees.

You can contact your dental office again and ask to speak with your dentist. If that doesn’t work, you can schedule an appointment with your dentist to examine the tooth and use the time to talk about your concerns. Other options are to report the issue to your insurance company or the state dental board or file a case in small claims court. Or a call from an attorney’s office might work, too.

Miranda Lacy, DDS, a Plano, TX female dentist, sponsors this post.