Question:
Our dentist called the other day because he say something on my sons
xray that led him to believe that the tooth may be dead. The front
toot is slightly darker than the other so this was a concern for a while.
Apparently some injury previously had caused this. He had us do a test
with an ice cube to the tooth to see if there was any feeling. There
wasn't. The front tooth next to it did have feeling.
A few questions:
1. Is the xray and ice test "proof positive" it's dead?
2. Is it ok to wait or shoud the root canal be done right away?
3. What are the long term hazards, if any, of performing a root
canal at such an early age. Could he loose the tooth at
50 or something?
4. My son doesn't handle pain well. How far has root canals
come since I had mine done 20 years ago?
Answer:
If the tooth doesn't hurt now it won't when the root canel is done. From his
point of view it will be just like having a filling done, except your mouth is
open longer.
Generally if you need something doing, putting it off will not
help at all whatever your age. You asked if it is done now will he
lose the tooth at 50. Well if it isn't he may lose the tooth at 15.
As for the pain, well I have has patients fall asleep whilst I
have been performing Root canal work on them. Anyway anything you may
feel in the chair is nothing compared to the discomfort associated
with an acute abcess (ie extremely painful)
As for if the tooth is dead or not, well if one tooth can feel
the ice and another can't I would say that denotes a problem (sorry if
I sound flippant I don't mean it that way)
In short get the tooth treated as soon as possible. Problems like this
dont go away, they just save themselves up, usually at the most
inconsiderate times. ie Holidays, weddings exams etc.
Couldnt agree more.
1- Yes, it sounds like the tooth is dead.
2- It should be done right away or he could get an abcess. (infection). This
is common on teeth that have had some kind of trauma
3- There are no long term hazards of doing a root canal at his age. He could
loose the tooth at any time if a root canal is not performed.
(he will also need a crown and post.)
4- If the tooth has no feeling, it's likely he won't feel anything while this
is being done, unless the tooth abcesses.
I suspected that. If there were an abscess it would show itself
very quickly. X-ray and ice-cube is not sufficient to decide of
a root-canal. Other tests must be performed. However, do you
have any possibility to scan in an x-ray and a picture of his
tooth it would be a lot easier to help. It is really difficult to say
anything more without this.
Ok, let's say the tooth is dead. Why do we need a root canal? Isn't
that what a root canal does. Kill the tooth?
You also mention that other tests must pe performed. It was stated
earlier that there are no tests that will conclusively rule that
the tooth is dead.
