How Can I Tell if I Really Need a Root Canal?

Question

First some background: I am 30 years old and since I switched dentists I have had 2 root canals. In general I am good to my teeth and I have been complimented regularly by previous dentists. I know I do grind my teeth but I have an excellent night guard now. My friend also goes to this doctor and is now on his 3rd root canal in a year. In addition, I know this doctor is a prominently used for root canals and it is a major point of income for him.

Anyway, how I would go about sniffing out an unnecessary root canal procedure? I hate that I could be taken advantage of without knowing it.

For the record, I really like this dentist and the service is impeccable... I just am not 100% the services have been necessary to date. He even says I have two fillings which I failed to spot in the xrays he showed me ('they are hard to see' he said... "they are light shadows")

Answer 1

One question you need to ask your self is does the tooth he's talking about doing a root canal on hurt? What are his reasons for wanting to do it? Usually a patient will experience pain; an abscess present, or a fracture or cracked tooth causing pain. In most cases the fracture or cracked tooth can just be crowned if the patient has no pain with the exception to percussion and the crack isn't right on top of the nerve. If it were, you would be having pain to bite, which you didn't mention. Even then the most noninvasive procedure would be to place a crown and see if the sensitivity would stop. They usually do settle down and don't require a root canal treatment. A crown simply keeps the crack from getting larger or spreading.

My thoughts are that if you already doubt this dentist ability to care for your dental health, with thoughts that he’s doing unnecessary work, then it’s time to find another one. Even if his care is excellent, you really like him and his staff, it’s not worth having unnecessary work as dramatic as a root canal and then crowns on these teeth. If he’s seen “shadows” on an x ray, you should be able to see them also. That could be just the angle the x ray was taken at. I would not rely on that alone for a reason to have a filling done. I wouldn’t have a restoration, root canal or any other procedure done from this dentist without consulting another, and have him look over your x rays. You are right to question this, and it’s not uncommon for some dentist to do this. Even so, it doesn’t make it right. I am sorry this has happened to you, but at least you’ve realized it before too much damage is done to your teeth. Don’t feel bad for leaving him (and take your friend with you) you have every right to expect excellent dental care from who ever you choose to have treat you. Good luck!

Answer 2

If you think he's doing unnecessary work, root canals and such, you need to make an appointment with another dentist to get a second opinion. Root canals are very expensive and can be very painful. Go to another dentist you have heard good things about, and just tell him/her that you want a second opinion about whether you really need a root canal.

Answer 3

If cold causes pain and lasts for longer than a few seconds, begins throbbing, you need a root canal.

If tapping firmly on the tooth, or chewing hurts, you may need a root canal.

If x-rays show a shadow at the end of the tooth root, you may need a root canal.

Pain/throbbing is the number one symptom.
Some people have more sensitive teeth than others and may need root canals.

Answer 4

One test dentists use is to tap the tooth lightly with the mirror handle. If the tapping hurts, then you need a root canal. Try this with the handle of a better knife.

Answer 5

ROSS,
YOU MAY LIKE THIS GUY'S CHAIR-SIDE MANNER, BUT AT THE RATE HE'S GOING EVERY TOOTH IN YOUR HEAD WILL BE ROOT-CANALED, AND CROWNED THEREAFTER.
NO HARM IN A SECOND OPINION, OR EVEN THIRD....
DON'T LET HIM SERVICE YOU UNNECESSARY DEBT.

Answer 6

get a second opinion from another dentist if possible. just have xrays done and have them tell you what they see before you tell them anything.