'I wouldn't wish what happened to me at the dentist on my worst enemy'
11.11.2023 - 21:17
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It can take just one mistake to leave someone with life-long dental problems – resulting in pain that can impact every part of their daily life.
That’s exactly what happened to Dr Mustafa Alchelabi, whose simple tooth issue led to suffering he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy.
READ MORE: 'My headache was so bad I had to pull over in the Peak District... what a stranger did next blew me away'
READ MORE: 'People call me selfish for not wanting children... but I don't want to sacrifice my holidays and lie-ins'
The University of Salford maths lecturer had been attending a practice in Greater Manchester for more than 20 years without any issues.
In 2018, he noticed one of his upper-right teeth had become increasingly sensitive, prompting him to book an appointment.
Mustafa was seen by a different dentist – not the one he had been treated by for more than two decades – who told him he needed root canal treatment.
However, the dentist wanted to get a second opinion and sought advice from the dentist Mustafa usually went to see.
The 51-year-old’s normal dentist said he just needed another filling and Mustafa went ahead with this treatment.
But once the filling was complete, Mustafa’s tooth was even more sensitive and he was unable to eat or drink properly.
“I really trusted [my dentist] as I had been seeing him for 20 years, so wanted to get his opinion,” he said.
“He informed me that I just needed another filling and to clean out the tooth more. After the filling was done, my tooth was extremely sensitive but I was told it would eventually settle.
“I was experiencing real difficulty eating and drinking and was in a lot of pain and discomfort when cleaning my teeth, so I went back to see [my dentist].
“I told him