How bad does a tooth have to get before it can't be saved by root canal treatment?

Question

Its a molar with a big hole. Some small fragments of the tooth have fallen off.

I'm wondering if i should get a 2nd opinion or complain. My NHS dentist said it needed to be extracted (its my wisdom molar) yet from what i'm reading below from Dr Albert my bone support seems ok (still have to wait for results of x-ray) and there's still plenty of tooth left, Ice Queen says even the most rotten tooth can be saved, so should i complain? A lot of the tooth is black but white on sides. There is some swelling of the gum.
Sissy says if "decay was so bad that the decay went into the nerve,then the tooth would be considered hopeless" but surely the dentist will remove the nerve/pulp anyway?

Answer 1

i don't know if this helps but a couple of years ago i had the most terrific pain in my tooth it had a huge hole in the back molar and i had lost half the tooth i thought it would have to be taken out but the dentist said no i needed root canal treatment they cleaned the tooth out and packed it with a gauze then i had to come back and have it filled with a root canal filling by that time more of the tooth was coming away but my dentist said the tooth could be saved i have had it refilled twice now and i would say there is more filling than tooth but my dentist said even the most rotten tooth can be saved if the nerve is causing the problem because its the nerve that causes the pain and if its a permanent tooth they would rather save it than take it out good luck

Answer 2

Root canal treatment (RCT) involves removing the nerves and blood vessels that occupy the canal of the tooth root - in a molar tooth there will be a canal in each root. The empty canal is then filled with an inert material to stop infection getting into the empty space. Almost always this procedure is needed where a tooth has a large hole such that the decay has pentrated down to the tooth pulp and the delicate tissue is infected with bacteria.

For a tooth to be so bad as to not be saved by RCT one or more of the following will apply:

a. Very little sound tooth structure left once the decay is fully removed.

b. Disease of the bone surrounding the tooth (periodontal disease) to an extent that the root(s) is poorly supported.

c. Inability to carry out the RCT because of anatomical difficulties in the tooth.

d. History of failed RCT in the same tooth.

e. Patient has high caries risk and will not modify diet/oral hygiene to reduce the risk.

f. There are certain rare medical conditions that contraindicate RCT

Mostly, though, as long as there is sound tooth tissue to work with RCT will save very broken down teeth and the tooth can be repaired after the RCT is complete. Can get expensive of course - sometimes it can be better to just lose the tooth and get over it!

Answer 3

It would have to get back and very weak. When they do a root canal they grind down most of the tooth, but leave enough to build up on. Then they put a cap on it. Now if the tooth is too broken, then it would have to be pulled. I Know from experience. I cracked a tooth in half both ways, and they couldn't save it.
Good luck.

Answer 4

A tooth can crack down its root and may not be able to be saved by rct. This can happen simply by biting down hard/or the wrong way on something. A root canal will not work as once its filled, the tooth continues to flex letting in bacteria. Also, a tooth that has bad decay that extends below the gum line may not be able to be saved. If your Dentist suggest rct get it sooner than later as it will be less expensive in the long run as opposed to replacing the tooth with bridgework or an implant or a denture. Also infection may soon follow.

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aykYk

Root canals are procedures that are done to save a very compromised tooth that would otherwise need extraction. A collection of data from diagnostic tests is usually done. The point of the tests are to reproduce the symptoms the patient is having to determine which tooth is affected if it is not clinically obvious visually and by xray. The tests include electric pulp testing to test nerve vitality, cold and hot test, periodontal probings and percussion. Usually after these test the tooth causing the problem is identified. Sorry you had such a bad experience. Get your wife to a good dentist. Avoid clinics that are big group practices. Private practice is the best care.

Answer 6

ADRIAN,

THE ONLY REASON TO NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE A TOOTH WITH A ROOT CANAL IS THAT THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT BONE SUPPORT FOR THIS TOOTH.SINCE A ROOT CANAL ONLY REMOVES THE NERVE AND SMALL BLOOD VESSELS FROM A TOOTH, THE TOOTH EVENTUALLY BECOMES BRITTLE AND WILL NEED A CROWN BEFORE IT BREAKS.
IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH BONE TO HOLD THE TOOTH A ROOT CANAL IS A WASTE OF GOOD MONEY.

Answer 7

Sounds like a quack to me. Root canals are big money too. l had 4 years ago. lf you noticed, l said '' had ''. An X-ray was standerd pratice when mine were done. My root canals never lasted and were much more bother that they were worth. l'd look for an attorney who does malpractice. And a good dentist, she had the right to be made whole, at least. Good luck

Answer 8

It depends on how badly the decay is in the tooth. Once all the decay is removed and there is not enough tooth structure left of the tooth,or the decay was so bad that the decay went into the nerve,then the tooth would be considered hopeless and it will need to be extracted.

Answer 9

In my case the rot had seeped down below the gum-line and before I knew it - crack. The lower it goes the harder it is to fix. I had to have the tooth out because it was almost shattered. Only the one tooth in the whole mouth was bad, though. Strange.

Answer 10

Sounds as though the tooth is very weak,if it cracks into the gum there's nothing to be done.It hs to be removed.