I had tooth pain and based on x-rays and my symptoms, a dentist recommended a root canal. There is not much bone loss and the pain has disappeared with an antibiotic. Why not just forgo the root canal and have a cap put on the tooth? I have a meeting with a dentist tomorrow.
Thanks for your input.
2007-01-22 12:47:41 · 4 answers · asked by Plaidman 2 in Health ➔ Dental
The antibiotic has stopped the pain and reduced the swelling. If the dentist said you need a RCT, then I suspect he sees an abscess at the apex, or root of the tooth. This is the bone loss you are referring to. Once the nerve has had too much bacteria, which causes the abscess, there is no way to "heal" it. You have two choices, a root canal therapy or an extraction. You don't want to put a crown on it right now, and then have to drill through the crown in a month to do a root canal. Not to mention the fact that sometimes the crown has to be removed to get to the canals. That would probably involve having to remake the crown. Once they are cemented they don't come off unless you cut them off. Now I can tell you that if you want to wait a few months on doing the root canal to see if the tooth flares up again, you can do that. Just make sure your Dentist gives you a prescription for another antibiotic and something for pain as well. Because it will flare up again, and it's usually on a weekend or at night. That way when you feel it starting to throb you can be prepared. If your still not sure tomorrow, I would wait. Just hold off on the crown, you don't want to do the prep and irritate the pulp of the tooth right now either. You surly will send it back into pulpitis working on it. Talk to your Dentist about your uncertanity and ask him about waiting a month or two. If there isn't any chance the tooth is about to break or fracture, then I'm sure he won't mind waiting. Good luck, hope I've been of some help.
2007-01-22 13:11:53 · answer #1 · answered by HeatherS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar issue. Two teeth that potentially needed root canals, got temporary crowns over them both once they were cleaned up. However, one of the teeth ended up needing a root canal about a year later. Luckily it was only a temporary and not a permanent (and expensive) crown that had to be taken off to get the root canal. The other has been fine and I have a permanent crown now. Probably wouldnt hurt to see how the tooth does with a temporary. Would be nice to avoid a root canal if possible. The pain was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but the price sucked!
2007-01-22 20:54:54 · answer #2 · answered by jprn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they are not always necessary, but if you dont get one chances are the infection will come back. Root canals are not that bad. All the dentist does it put what they call "files" into your roots and they clean out the infection. I just had one 2 weeks ago and I was scared ****-less, but it didn't hurt at all. it just a long process.
2007-01-22 21:31:43 · answer #3 · answered by brittany_michelle_3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the dead root needs to be removed or you will become infected again.so you need a root canal or the tooth needs to be removed.
2007-01-22 20:54:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋