Frequently Asked Questions - AbuMaizar Dental Roots Clinic

Occasionally, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial endodontic treatment for a variety of reasons.
These could include complicated canal anatomy or additional canals that weren’t located in the first root canal procedure, the delay in placement of a crown or other restoration, or an insufficient restoration, Sometimes new problems may jeopardize a tooth that was already treated, such as a new decay, a loose, cracked or broken filling, or a tooth fracture. In these cases, revision of the previous treatment may be performed to save the tooth, Always consult your doctor before extracting any infected tooth!

Root canal treatment with a specialist (Endodontist) has a success rate of 95%, and the treated teeth are expected to live many years later.
With proper care, most teeth that have undergone endodontic treatment—a root canal treatment—can last as long as other natural teeth.

Teeth sometimes turn grey after root canal treatment. This is often a result of the medicated pastes that the dentist uses to clear the infection inside the tooth. For many back teeth, this is not a problem as they are not very visible. For a front tooth, turning grey may not match other front teeth. Ask your dentist about internal bleaching to help restore the tooth’s natural colour. Otherwise, a crown or veneer may be needed to mask the color and match the other teeth.

A root canal is an essential procedure that can eliminate infection and save your teeth. But it involves extensive work on the tooth, and some people are concerned that the result might not be strong enough to give long-lasting results.
Although a tooth that is treated in a root canal are weakened by decay and by treatment, they are also reinforced so they’re usually strong enough to last for a long time, possibly decades.
This doesn’t mean that the tooth is dangerously weakened: the cavity can be narrow and deep, leaving most of the enamel and dentin intact. Other times, though, the tooth might have much of the enamel and dentin removed, putting the tooth at risk for failure.
But we don’t leave your tooth weakened. If a significant amount of tooth material had to be removed, we will reinforce the tooth with a post. Then the addition of a dental crown will not only protect the tooth from wear, but also brace it against bite forces.
The result is a tooth that is as strong or stronger than it was before we began treatment.

Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is always the best option. Nothing artificial can replace the look or function of a natural tooth so it’s important to always consider root canal treatment as an option. Endodontic treatment has a high success rate and many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime. Replacing an extracted tooth with a bridge or implant requires more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to neighboring teeth and supporting tissue.

Emergency dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, is necessary.
X-rays are necessary to perform many dental procedures, especially emergencies. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.
According to the American Dental Association, having dental X-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding.
Some women may elect to avoid dental work during the first trimester knowing this is the most vulnerable time of development. However, there is no evidence suggesting harm to the baby for those electing to visit the dentist during this time frame.
Also, if non-emergency dental work is needed during the third trimester, it is usually postponed until after the birth. This is to avoid the risk of premature labor and prolonged time lying on your back.

An untreated cavity is a common cause of tooth infection. As the cavity erodes the enamel, it works its way into the nerve center of the tooth. Once the nerve becomes infected, a root canal treatment is the only way to remove the infected nerve and save the tooth.
Infections inside the teeth do not respond to antibiotic treatment! Nerve inflammation caused by the infection restricts the tooth’s blood supply, so antibiotics can’t easily reach the infected area. When ignored, the infection spreads to the surrounding jawbone and can then travel to other parts of the body. This can overtax your immune system and can be potentially life-threatening. Routine 6-month exams can help prevent dental infections from happening in the first place!

Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there are no symptoms.

Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored.
However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. And, when endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.