What is the alternative to a dental root canal?

Question

My dentist tells me that I need a root canal to my right lowerr #22 middle big tooth. I do not have any pain now but when he touches the back part of the tooth, I feel it in the nerves. I hate to remove the tooth because the space will cause the other teeth to shift which will create space in between my teeth. I had a root canal years ago and eventually had to take it out years later ( directly above this tooth) because I developed an abscess ( a bump sticking out the gum). I am 41 years old. I try to floss daily but the dentist said food got trapped in between the tooth because it shifted.Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The alternatives to having a root canal done (once diagnosed) are to extract the tooth or to do nothing (which is not recommended).

Tooth #22 is a canine, and as long as there is sufficient tooth structure to restore after the root canal is done, you definitely want to keep that tooth.  It has a long root and is one of the most important teeth to hold onto from a restorative standpoint.  

It is a good tooth to use for bridges, partials, or just normal function (if you aren't missing any other teeth).

If you remove that tooth, you definitely will make your problems much bigger.  It will be hard to replace if possible at all, and if you ever lose any other teeth, they will be much harder to replace as well.

Tooth #22 normally only has 1 canal, so doing a root canal on this tooth hopefully should go ok.  Like the other person said, teeth in back normally are crowned after root canal treatment, but #22 may not need one.

Like the other person said, if you do have doubts, you can get a second opinion, or ask to consult an endodontist (although most general dentists are perfectly capable of doing the root canal on #22- the specialist will probably be more expensive).

In case you were wondering, if you need a root canal now, ignoring it won't make it go away.  The sensations may come and go, but they'll eventually get worse; so get it treated ASAP.  

Answer 2

If you have enough decay in your tooth that it has opened up the pulp chamber inside, you'll need a root canal. Your other option is to do nothing and eventually lose the tooth (most likely with a lot of pain). Usually, after a root canal the tooth is then crowned. Root canals take the nerve and blood supply out of the tooth, leaving it more brittle. Sometimes front teeth are not crowned, as there is not a lot of tooth structure present, but premolars and molars are normally crowned once the root canal is completed. Root canaled teeth are weaker than your other teeth. The tooth that you lost due to an abscess - I would have to see your chartings - but it is possible to re-treat a tooth that has had a root canal. Teeth that have abscessed are treated with root canals. Sometimes the abscess comes back, I would seek a consultation with an "endodontist" (root canal specialist) in your area if you are having concerns. No one would fault you for getting a second opinion. I would not take my time, however. If it has been suggested to you to have a root canal done and you are having second thoughts, seek another opinion soon so that more decay and tooth structure loss doesn't take place, making it impossible to save the tooth. Good luck!