Root Canal Needed  Changing Your View Of Root Canals

Is a root canal needed? That's a question I've heard many times during my 20+ years as an endodontist (root canal specialist). Everyone wants to avoid a root canal if at all possible. Here are some frequently asked questions about root canals I've heard from patients:

I recently had some silver fillings placed and I have some tooth sensitivity. Is this normal and is a root canal needed?

It is possible to have some tooth sensitivity that can be treated without endodontic therapy (root canal). On these occasions you might have what is known as reversible pulpitis. This means the pulp on the inside of your tooth is inflamed but will eventually return to normal.

Is a root canal needed for reversible pulpitis? 

No. You may have had some silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings, or a crown that caused this reversible inflammation of the dental pulp. Your tooth will be sensitive for a few days but this tooth sensitivity gradually resolves.

But, is a root canal needed if this tooth sensitivity doesn't resolve?

It is very possible that your tooth has irreversible pulpitis. This means the inflammation has caused damage of the dental pulp to the extent that it will never heal and return to its normal state.

My tooth woke me up during the night throbbing. Is a root canal needed? 

Spontaneous and throbbing pain is one of the classic root canal symptoms. So, yes you will need a root canal if this is the case.

My tooth is hurting but I can't tell which tooth is the one hurting. Is this normal? 

This is not uncommon. Your dentist has been trained in locating the bad tooth. A dental x-ray along with diagnostic tests will usually identify the bad tooth. On occasion the task of localizing the root canal symptoms to one tooth can be very challenging even for your dentist.

I had a crown placed on my tooth years ago. It has never bothered me until recently. Now it is sore when I bite on it. Is a root canal needed?

This is not uncommon at all. Usually teeth that have crowns had silver fillings in them prior to the crowns. The pulp tissue in a tooth like this has mild inflammation that never causes any root canal symptoms. The pulp finally yields to this chronic, low grade inflammation and it becomes infected. Usually you'll know it is a bad tooth because it will be sore to biting.

My front tooth has become discolored. It doesn't hurt at all. Is a root canal needed? 

This usually occurs when a tooth has been bumped at some time in the past. You could have had a prior sports injury or automobile accident years ago that caused this. Most of the time a front tooth root canal will be required. You dentist will need to take a dental x-ray and do some tests on the tooth to make this determination.

Is a root canal needed?

You'll need your dentist to ultimately answer that question. If the answer is yes you may be nervous about having the treatment. I've seen thousands of nervous patients through the years. Many times their nervousness comes from having heard root canal myths.

I wrote The Relaxed Root Canal to dispel these myths. In this book I answer more than 80 of the most commonly asked questions about root canals. You'll know everything you need to know about root canals.

But I also want you to relax for your root canal. I'll give you practical tips on how to relax before, during, and after your root canal.

In Chapter 5 I'll give you the ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD  ASK BEFORE YOU HAVE YOUR ROOT CANAL. You must get a YES answer to this question. I'll recommend what you should do if you get a NO answer.

CLICK HERE for more information on The Relaxed Root Canal.

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