Root Canal questions

[roomservicetaco]

I visited the dentist a little over a month ago. I had never gone to this dentist before and it was my first visit to any dentist in several years. Dentist told me I had 5 cavities - 3 on top and 2 on the bottom. He said the 3 on top could be filled and the 2 on bottom would require root canals to fix. I told him to proceed with the fillings on the top 3.

When he was done with the 3, he told me that on one of them, the cavity was deep and that he could just start to see the pink from the nerve. He said that the tooth may be sensitive for a little while.

For several weeks, the tooth was sensitive - hurt when I drank cold water and could not chew food on that side of my mouth. Then, about 5 days ago, it started to really hurt. First few days, it hurt for 5-10 minutes at a time, then would go away. Finally, 2 days ago, the pain was really intense and I could not bear it unless I swished cold water around in my mouth to soothe the pain.

Called the dentist and he wrote a prescription for an antibiotic. Took the antibiotic and also advil and the pain subsided. The tooth is still uncomfortable, in that I can feel some pressure on it, but it is not painful.

Went to the dentist today and he said that the tooth would require a root canal. He suggested (if I understood correctly) a 3 step process: 1. he'd drill into the tooth and clean out the infection 2. I'd come back in 2 weeks and he'd remove the nerve 3. I'd come back in another 2 weeks and he would put in a crown.

I was very disappointed that I now need a root canal, given that he had said it would require only a filling. I'm also very nervous about the root canal procedure, primarily because I don't understand it and also a little skeptical of the dentist. Had a few questions:

1. Is it common to diagnose a cavity as requiring a filling and then have to do a root canal on the tooth?
2. Is the root canal required due to poor execution of the filling by the doctor?
3. Did he do anything wrong (or right) in filling it when he said he saw the top of the nerve?
4. Is this proposed root canal procedure the proper one?
5. Is it possible that the root canal is not needed and that there is a way to avoid it by removing/killing off the bacterial infection?
6. Based strictly on the information above (I realize I'm not providing any x rays or clinical data, etc.), should I have this dentist do the root canal or should I go to a root canal specialist? If so, what kind of doctor and with what credentials should I look for?
7. Is a crown required for a root canal? If not, what are the other options and pros/cons?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[allbaj]

I visited the dentist a little over a month ago. I had never gone to this dentist before and it was my first visit to any dentist in several years. Dentist told me I had 5 cavities - 3 on top and 2 on the bottom. He said the 3 on top could be filled and the 2 on bottom would require root canals to fix. I told him to proceed with the fillings on the top 3.

When he was done with the 3, he told me that on one of them, the cavity was deep and that he could just start to see the pink from the nerve. He said that the tooth may be sensitive for a little while.

For several weeks, the tooth was sensitive - hurt when I drank cold water and could not chew food on that side of my mouth. Then, about 5 days ago, it started to really hurt. First few days, it hurt for 5-10 minutes at a time, then would go away. Finally, 2 days ago, the pain was really intense and I could not bear it unless I swished cold water around in my mouth to soothe the pain.

Called the dentist and he wrote a prescription for an antibiotic. Took the antibiotic and also advil and the pain subsided. The tooth is still uncomfortable, in that I can feel some pressure on it, but it is not painful.

Went to the dentist today and he said that the tooth would require a root canal. He suggested (if I understood correctly) a 3 step process: 1. he'd drill into the tooth and clean out the infection 2. I'd come back in 2 weeks and he'd remove the nerve 3. I'd come back in another 2 weeks and he would put in a crown.

I was very disappointed that I now need a root canal, given that he had said it would require only a filling. I'm also very nervous about the root canal procedure, primarily because I don't understand it and also a little skeptical of the dentist. Had a few questions:

1. Is it common to diagnose a cavity as requiring a filling and then have to do a root canal on the tooth?
2. Is the root canal required due to poor execution of the filling by the doctor?
3. Did he do anything wrong (or right) in filling it when he said he saw the top of the nerve?
4. Is this proposed root canal procedure the proper one?
5. Is it possible that the root canal is not needed and that there is a way to avoid it by removing/killing off the bacterial infection?
6. Based strictly on the information above (I realize I'm not providing any x rays or clinical data, etc.), should I have this dentist do the root canal or should I go to a root canal specialist? If so, what kind of doctor and with what credentials should I look for?
7. Is a crown required for a root canal? If not, what are the other options and pros/cons?

Many thanks in advance.

Cavities can be more involved (advanced) than apparent on an x-ray. The likelyhood of the body repairing the tooth pulp in cases of advanced decay decreases significantly with age. Seems like you have an irreversible pulpitis. The treatment plan appears sound. My recommendation is that you spend time to make sure your dentist explains things fully, and make sure you understand!!!!!

 

[Maya_siva]

I too had the same problem with my tooth.Still am having two of mine undergone with RCT treatment.But unfortunately one of them had a failure.Now for last two years i am suffering from severe pain and the dentist told me to have a re-RCT session.Just be careful when you are going through this session.