Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Endodontic Therapy?

Root Canal or endodontic therapy is performed when the pulp of the tooth has been damaged, usually by decay or physical trauma.  Treatment consists of removing the pulp and cleaning, sterilizing, filling and sealing the root canals.  The tooth remains alive, nourished by the adjacent tissues of the gums and jaw.

 

What Are The Alternatives To Endodontic Therapy?

Extraction is the only alternative.  And, unless the tooth is replaced, adjoining teeth will shift, interfering with biting and chewing.  Loss of a tooth can lead to periodontal disease and loss of additional teeth.  Replacing a tooth with an artificial one often requires dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth.

 

How Long Will The Tooth Last?

Although the tooth may be somewhat more brittle than before treatment, with proper restoration and care it may last a lifetime.  Proper dental care includes regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic dental check-ups.  Your dentist can best decide what type of permanent restoration is necessary to protect your tooth.

 

Does Endodontic Therapy Hurt?

Most stories of pain related to root canal therapy are a holdover from the days before good anesthetics and modern instruments.  Today, root canal therapy usually involves little or no discomfort.  When there is pain before treatment, endodontic therapy provides relief.

 

My Tooth Had A Root Canal.  Why Does It Still Hurt?

The answer has several parts. First, we must be absolutely sure what is meant by the word hurt.

• Let us make sure that by hurt, we all mean that the tooth is sore and tender to bite on, touch, or otherwise manipulate. This is a tooth which you will generally be able to point to or touch, and be very specific as to which tooth is hurting. "This tooth right here hurts, when I put my finger on it."
• If you mean the tooth with a previous root canal is still sensitive to thermal changes, or if you have a toothache in an area but you cannot tell which tooth it is, then an entirely different problem is posed. The answer is not here. Only two things describe a continued problem to temperatures in an area of a tooth with a previous root canal. The most likely problem is that you need another root canal on an adjacent or nearby tooth. The second problem is far less likely but possible, that there is a missed or untreated canal in the tooth having had the root canal. If it is possible through thermal testing to absolutely confirm that the tooth with a root canal still responds to temperature changes, then the root canal previously performed did not treat all of the nerves, canals, or roots and should be redone.

The part of the nerve and feeling to the tooth that is removed with a root canal is the part that responds to temperature changes (hots and colds) and sweets. The tooth has another set of nerves that are never changed, removed or altered during root canal therapy. That part feels pressure and touch.

The tooth is surrounded by bone and tissue. The roots are embedded in the bony socket and the tooth is held in place by small ligaments. The gums surrounding the tooth are attached and sealed to it as the tooth protrudes from the bone and tissue. The feeling to these two elements (bone and gums) are never changed with root canal therapy. You still can feel the pressures of biting on the root canal treated tooth, and still feel the soreness of the tooth being bumped. The bone and gums surrounding the tooth still have a blood supply and a nerve supply. Therefore, the tooth with a root canal is not dead but is a continued viable and live component of the dentition.

If the bone and gums are not healthy, then periodontal (gum) disease may cause you pain. If the bone at the root tip is abscessed, then an endodontic problem may cause you pain. Your dentist must diagnose and treat the many potential pathologic variations that exist.

 

Will Antibiotics Cure A Root Canal Infection?

Absolutely not!!  Antibiotics are useful in treating root canal infections because they help relieve symptoms associated with teeth that have non-vital pulpal pathology.  Antibiotics are indicated when there is swelling, a temperature or other systemic signs of infection.  Antibiotics may be useful to diminish symptoms such as biting pain before the root canal can be started, and may help prevent some types of post treatment pain involved with having the root canal performed.  Antibiotics cannot cure a root canal infection because the source of the infection is inside the tooth where there is no blood supply and where antibiotics cannot get to.  The cure is the complete cleaning, shaping and obturation of the contaminated root canal space.

 

Will The Tooth Turn Dark After Root Canal Treatment?

With modern techniques, discoloration of the tooth seldom occurs after endodontic (root canal) treatment.  However, there are treatments to bleach the tooth internally if discoloration occurs.

 

Further Questions?

Throughout your root canal treatment you may have questions or concerns not covered in this pamphlet.  We will make every effort to ensure your comfort during root canal treatment.  And we're happy to answer any questions you may have.  Our concern is your comfort and confidence.  Our mission is to help preserve your natural teeth for a lifetime.

 

Have Questions Not Listed Above?  endoinfo@dietzrootcanal.com