What is a root canal and why do you need one?

Question

The teeth in question are my molars. I have cracks in two of them. Should I just have them extracted instead?

Answer 1

The molar teeth have several canals that encase the pulp or nerve of the tooth that is the blood flow that supplies nutrients to the tooth to maintain it's vitality. When a crack is present in the tooth, it's during mastication or chewing that the forces applied to the tooth push the crack apart or cause it to separate at these cracks. This allows the saliva which contains bacteria, to seep into and through the cracks. From there it reaches the dentin tubules that are like vessels that transmit impulses to the nerve which are causing the pain you've been experiencing. So in other words, every time you bite these teeth together, you force the crack apart making the tooth hurt. Usually the cracks are caught early enough that they can be crowned to stop the crack from spreading further. Obviously your cracks are too deep or are too close to the pulp chamber and root canal therapy is warrented prior to placing the crowns. It's always a shame to place crowns and have to drill a hole in them to do a root canal later, so he's probably being cautious.

A root canal requires removing the pulp or nerve from the chamber inside the tooth, cleaning it out and filling it. It's a simple procedure to remove the pulp with a small broach, and then enlarge each canal. This is done with endodontic files, each one a little larger, these scrape the walls of each chamber cleaning and enlarging them. Then they can be filled with a gutta percha material, which is much like rubber. Each canal has this material cemented in place (replacing the pulp or nerve in the tooth with a filling) from the floor of the tooth (inside but deep where the pulp chamber was exposed) to the apex or end of the root. This chamber must be filled and sealed in order to keep bacteria from growing and causing an abscess to form. That in a nut shell is basically what a root canal is. The procedure is a little time consuming, but it won't be painful. The only discomfort most patients have is from holding their mouths open for so long while the filing of the canals takes place. Ask for a mouth prop if ones not placed, it helps keep your jaw from getting so tired and sore. After the root canal is complete the dentist will want to wait a couple of weeks before starting the crown procedure. This is to make sure the tooth settles down and is sound enough for the crown to be done.

As for having these teeth extracted instead. You will need to replace them with something. It's a tough decision to make but most patients opt to keep their own teeth with the RCT and crowns. You have several choices here other than the RCT and crowns. Those are a bridge, implants or a removable partial. To replace the teeth with a bridge, you would need a sound 3rd molar tooth behind the teeth in question and also two bi's and quiet possibly the cuspid or K-9 in front, these would be used as abutment teeth. For the best results and longitivity, a long span bridge of five or six units would be advisable. That would consist of a bridge of 5 to 6 units around $700.00 each averaging $3500.00 to 4200.00 not counting the extractions about $120.00 - 200-00 depending on the difficulty of removal. Where as if you do the RCT's and crowns on average cost for 2 teeth about $600.00 each for RCT's, and $700.00 each for the crowns, approximately $2600.00. So financially it's more feasable to do the RCT's and crowns and retain your own natural (with a little help) teeth to boot. On the other hand, you would never have to worry about those teeth again if you go with the bridge. Implants are a very good alternative although they are expensive and take about 6 months healing time before the crowns can be placed. It's something to think about. The removable partial is not something I would advise going with unless these teeth are non restorable and you can't do a bridge or implants, or basically you have no other options available. I would recommend discussing all these options with your dentist, he will advise you which he feels will be the best for longivity, in your situation based upon the condition of your teeth and over all dental health. Which is something I'm not privy to. Well once again I've given a lecture in dentistry, sorry I do get carried away when I try to inform people with all the options so they have an idea of what the dentist is talking about rather than just going with what ever he suggest. I've had too many patients ask me after he walked out of the operatory "what did he say I was getting?" It's always best to have an idea ahead of time. Hope I've done just that as well as answered your question. Good luck in which ever procedure you choose.

Answer 2

Just in case someone hasn't mentioned it among your answers. I had two root canals done in the past. And, today, the teeth that I had the root canals on, have been pulled out because of later problems. All of my other teeth are still with me. My root canals were done on both sides on the top. I still have the last tooth on each side. I've always taken good care of my teeth and have regular check up. I often wonder if I would still have the four that were taken out if I had left them alone.

Answer 3

It's basically a way to save the teeth that are damaged. It hurts alot too of course. If you had a root canal at least you would still have the teeth that are damaged, however if ya have the teeth pulled ya won't have em! Don't know about anyone else, but I'm partial to my teeth! LOL

Answer 4

I had 2 back teeth that I cracked because I grind my teeth at night. I spent $700 for a root canal on the first one, went back a week later to get fitted for my crown to find out that it fractured and it had to be removed anyway. The one next to that one kept giving me trouble, went back to the dentist, again a root canal was recommended. Paid $400 for my portion to have it done, once again, went back to have the crown put on, and wouldn't ya just know it, that one was fractured too. Had to have it extracted. Now, both of mine are upper back teeth. To me, it was better to just have it pulled then go through the pain and expense of having the root canal, BUT if they are lower teeth, you have to take into consideration that by having the lower teeth removed, you are creating a gap for gravity to cause your upper teeth to eventually become lose. I know it sounds weird, but thats what happens. It took a lot for me to get used to having the teeth gone because your mouth no longer lines up correctly, you end up pinching your tongue in your sleep. If I could do it over, I probably would have just had the crowns put on anyways.

Answer 5

a root canal procedure involves taking the nerve that has died out of the tooth, people are genuinely afraid of having root canal but its either root canal treatment or having the tooth taken out. its just a matter of the dentist cleaning out the canals of the tooth that the nerve has died in a filling it up with a permanent restoration, it can be costly and takes a little of time, but worth it if you want the tooth saved.

Answer 6

I would have them pulled. I had a root canal and all was ok for like the first 5 yrs. But then the metal rods they run into your gums and bone to make a firm hold for the crown they put on started coming through my gums and abssessing very easily. It was quite painful at times. PULL THEM

Answer 7

hello do you want to know what is a root canal OK here we go:
is probably the most maligned of all dental procedures but the reputation of pain typically associated with having a root canal is really no deserve

Answer 8

You may wish to read an article called “Root Canal Fillings(Root Canal Teeth) Can Cause Serious Side Effects”. You can find it at:
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/san-diego-dental-root-canals.htm
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us
http://san-diego-dentists.blogspot.com
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/san-diego-dentist-tijuana-dentist.html
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/tijuana-dentist.htm
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/san-diego-dental-implants.html
http://www.medical-research-study-directory.info/san-diego-medical-research-study.htm
http://www.las-vegas-nevada-lawyer-attorney-legal-injury-defense-directory.com
http://www.acne-treatment-medicine-1.info

Answer 9

hurts like hell even with anesthesia so i'd get them pulled