Depending on the circumstances, the dentist might recommend an extraction instead of a root canal. It can be due to the tooth being too damaged or infected to save.
The biggest factor a dentist looks at when deciding if a tooth can be saved is how much “good” tooth structure there is left. If the tooth is broken at the gumline and has a big cavity that goes down to the bone then there is little hope that the tooth can be saved.
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.
If the infection spreads to the innermost layers of the pulp, it is possible that the tooth cannot be saved. In addition, root canal treatment is no longer an option if a significant amount of the tooth has been lost and a crown cannot be placed on the portion that is still present in such a case.
Root Canal Performed on the Wrong Tooth
It sounds crazy, but you'd be truly amazed if you knew how often dentists perform root canals on the wrong tooth. This is an absolute nightmare for the patient, not just because of the pain involved, but also because it shortens the life of the otherwise healthy tooth.
Overextensions of root filling materials. Improper coronal seal (leakage) Untreated canals (both major and accessory) Iatrogenic procedural errors such as poor access cavity design.
Damaged roots or loss of bone around the tooth are among the most common situations where a tooth can't be saved and needs to be extracted. If that's the case, we will strongly recommend removing the tooth.
Root canal therapy is recommended when teeth can be saved with treatment, while an extraction is performed when the tooth's structure is too damaged, or a crack goes beneath the gum's surface, not leaving enough structure for stability or use after the repair.
If the tooth was not infected around the tip of the root, that's when overfilling is likely to cause pain after a root canal. It's rare, but a tiny bubble of air can also be forced out of the root tip, causing pressure and pain. It may take some time, but the pain in either case should subside on its own.
A negligent provider may be guilty of malpractice. However, a bad root canal is often not the fault of your dentist. If they made every good faith attempt to treat your tooth and it did not work, you cannot hold them responsible. Going to an endodontist for a root canal is a better option than seeing a general dentist.
Cracks in the root: The root of the affected tooth may develop a fissure or fracture deep beneath the gum, making it impossible to fully seal the canal. This allows for the possibility of an infection that leads to increased sensitivity, pain and the need for retreatment.
If the root canal is not complete this can allow bacteria to enter the area again and cause infection. The infection can spread to other areas of the mouth or jawbone. Leaving a root canal unfinished can put the patient at risk for serious dental problems and medical conditions.
As you can see, dental crowns are highly versatile in terms of how much tooth is needed for their placement. They can be placed when as much as ¾ of the natural tooth has been damaged or decayed, and can also be placed when the tooth is lacking both external and internal support.
After an exam and x-rays, a dentist may determine that it is impossible to save a tooth for these reasons: Not enough healthy tooth structure – If most of the tooth is damaged or decayed and building it up for a crown will not work, a dentist may recommend removing it.
Severe Tooth Infection Is Irreversible
We cannot save a tooth because this type of infection is different. The tissue in your tooth (dental pulp) is infected and inflamed. Antibiotics cannot adequately reach the tissue and clear the problem. The tissue will not heal.
You might have heard that root canals hurt. The truth is it's your tooth that hurts, not the actual procedure. When you need a root canal, it's usually because there is an infection deep within you tooth or decay that is so bad your natural tooth is at risk. That infection or decay is the reason you're in so much pain.
During any root canal, body tissues not directly being treated have a chance to become agitated and mildly inflamed. In the case of throbbing pain after a root canal, the culprit is the bone surrounding the tooth. The bone tissue becomes irritated and provokes some discomfort. For most patients, this is very mild.
Once a tooth has a root canal it is brittle because the blood supply to the tooth has been filled in. It's still possible to bite down and crack the root or an existing crack under the crown may grow down the root. This may cause pain when biting down on the crown in certain ways. Sometimes the pain will come and go.
What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract. The higher the degree of impaction, the more difficult the extraction.
During a root canal, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is then cleaned and sealed. It's important to note that a root canal does not kill the tooth. While root canals do remove the nerves inside the tooth, these nerves serve little function in a fully formed tooth.
The extensive procedure for a root canal treatment and the soreness after each procedure with mild discomfort for a few days makes the root canal a more painful treatment. A dental implant only involves pain when the effect of the anesthesia wears off when the tooth to be replaced by an implant will be removed.
A dead tooth can stay in the mouth for days, or even months. The problem, however, is that leaving the tooth in your mouth can leave you susceptible to infection, it can cause pain and discomfort, and it will also look very unsightly as well.
The main argument against dental implant tooth replacement is that, in general, it's better for patients to retain their natural teeth. There is also a small chance that the dental implant will not heal into the jaw, although implants are known to be successful over 95 percent of the time.
If a cavity goes untreated for two years or longer, severe damage to the tooth is likely. You will notice discoloration around the tooth, swelling around the gums, and severe pain and sensitivity. The bacteria will probably have damaged the tooth root and pulp at this point. You may lose the tooth.
The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition.