Dental Clinic Northville, MI

Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why would I need a root canal?

A. When the nerve of a tooth becomes irreversibly damaged -- due to decay, trauma, or a crack in the tooth -- you'll need root canal treatment.

Q. How can the dentist tell if I need a root canal?

A. Often nerve damage causes tooth pain, swelling and sensitivity to hot or cold. You may also notice that the tooth is becoming darker in color. Sometimes, it can only be diagnosed with an X-ray or other tests.

Q. What happens during a root canal?

A. During root canal treatment, the dentist cleans out the infected pulp tissue within the roots. After all the nerve has been removed, the canals are filled with a sealer.

Q. How long will it take?

A. Usually, root canal therapy takes one or two appointments for a front tooth (anterior), and two or three appointments for a back tooth (posterior). A tooth can have from one to four roots and all the roots must be treated.

Q. After the root canal is finished, will the tooth need more work?

A. The tooth is more brittle after a root canal and requires a permanent restoration. This could range from a simple tooth filling to a large build-up with posts and pins. If the tooth filling is large, the tooth may also need a dental crown to protect the tooth from breaking.

Q. Why not just take out the tooth?

A. It's usually healthier and less expensive to save the tooth with root canal treatment. Replacing an extracted tooth involves either expensive bridgework or a partial denture. If the tooth is extracted and not replaced, adjoining teeth can move into the empty space, creating even more problems.

Q. Will root canal treatment be painful?

A. Your tooth will be numb during the treatment. If your tooth was aching or sensitive prior to treatment, it may take a few days for the tooth to get back to feeling normal. You can take a mild painkiller during that time. If it's necessary, something stronger will be prescribed. If the tooth had been badly infected, you may need to take an antibiotic.

Q. How much will it a Root Canal cost?

A. The cost of root canal treatment usually depends on the number of canals which are infected and need treatment. There will be a separate charge for the restoration, which will vary from the cost of a simple filling to a crown. All expected treatment charges will be discussed with you before treatment.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Root Canal Dentist, Tooth Pain and Endodontic Disease

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Endodontic Disease?

Endodontic disease can manifest itself with a wide variety and combination of symptoms. Common symptoms of endodontic disease include:

• Lingering tooth sensitivity to cold liquids.
• Lingering tooth sensitivity to hot liquids.
• Tooth sensitivity to sweets.
• Tooth pain to biting pressure.
• Tooth pain that is referred from a tooth to another area, such as the neck, temple, or the ear.
• Spontaneous toothache, such as that experienced while reading a magazine, watching television, etc.
• Constant or intermittent tooth pain.
• Severe tooth pain.
• Throbbing tooth pain.
• Tooth pain that may occur in response to atmospheric pressure changes, such as when flying or scuba diving.
• Tooth pain that may occur in response to postural changes, such as when going from a standing to a reclining position.
• Tooth Swelling.

If you have any of these symptoms, it would be wise to see your dentist because you might have root canal disease or another dental problem.

Some of these endodontic disease symptoms may also be attributable to decay, defective fillings, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, or other tooth or bite-related problems.

On other occasions, the symptoms may even be caused by disorders that are not related to the teeth.

Why May Endodontic Disease Cause Swelling?

When the pulpal tissue becomes severely diseased and necrotic, the resultant infection can spread from inside the tooth into the adjacent bone and soft tissues. As a result, swelling can occur in the tissues immediately surrounding the tooth.

If this situation is not treated and the endodontic disease process is not kept under control by the body's defenses, the infection can begin to spread into other tissue spaces, such as those around the eye or in the neck. In some situations, this can become a serious medical emergency.

By Clifford J. Ruddle, DDS, in collaboration with Philip M. Smith, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.