My root canal saga continues

[sparkythelawyer]

Um, I'm thinking your dentist screwed up big time. I have had four root canals (Thanks, janky Irish teeth!) and never had one fall to pieces on me.

[TrickyBob]

I am guessing they killed the root of your tooth? That is terrifying and not cool.

[TrickyBob]

Nov 13, 2013 14:43:50 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

Nov 13, 2013 14:41:32 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

I am guessing they killed the root of your tooth? That is terrifying and not cool.

A root canal removes the root.  So by definition, a root canal "kills the root." 

I'm sorry, luna.  It sounds like something is screwed up.  They might have to do what's called a post and core buildup before putting on the crown.  It's not a big deal, they just put a metal peg in the center to anchor the crown better when there isn't a whole lot of tooth left. 

Huh, well hey, I didn't know. I thought some was left to anchor any good teeth. Sorry.

[teeah22]

This is exactly why you need a crown after a root canal. The tooth is much more brittle and susceptible to breaking after you have a root canal and the crown is what will keep it strong and protected. You didn't do anything wrong and neither did your dentist. Try not to worry about it too much, it is most likely still fixable with a crown. What makes it not fixable is if the tooth broke off under the gumline a good bit, but you would most likely have some pain and bleeding if that happened.

[teeah22]

Oh and just to clarify, a root canal doesn't remove the root. It does remove the tiny bit of tissue that lives in the center of each root.

[TrickyBob]

Nov 13, 2013 14:48:07 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

Nov 13, 2013 14:44:53 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

Huh, well hey, I didn't know. I thought some was left to anchor any good teeth. Sorry.

They drill down through the center and remove all the pulp, and then fill the canals with a kind of resin.  You have to put a crown over the tooth afterwards because removing the pulp/nerve/roots makes the tooth more brittle -- hence luna's broken tooth.  Can you tell I've had a couple of root canals?  lol.

That does not sound fun. I am sorry you are dealing with this luna. And that you have had to lhc.

[teeah22]

Nov 13, 2013 14:47:48 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

Nov 13, 2013 14:45:05 GMT -5 teeah22 said:

This is exactly why you need a crown after a root canal. The tooth is much more brittle and susceptible to breaking after you have a root canal and the crown is what will keep it strong and protected. You didn't do anything wrong and neither did your dentist. Try not to worry about it too much, it is most likely still fixable with a crown. What makes it not fixable is if the tooth broke off under the gumline a good bit, but you would most likely have some pain and bleeding if that happened.

Even just three weeks? My crown appt was for this coming Monday. 

It hurts, but its not bleeding. 

I have seen them break within just a couple weeks, yes.

[snickers]

I have had 6 root canals (I was born with teeth that have more nerves than they are suppose to which made them really sensitive), and they have never broken. My last one I got before I got pregnant, and still don't have a crown on it. I have to go back in December to get it. In fact,t he temp. filling is still in there.
I hope your dentist can make this right for you.

[mrsjuleshs]

This terrifies me. I am going to the endodontist next Tuesday for a root canal. I was told that I need to be seen by my regular dentist within 2 weeks for the crown. I will be calling before my appointment to schedule that follow up visit after reading this.