Maxillary first molarsThe maxillary first molar is the human tooth located laterally (away from the midline of the face) from both the maxillary second premolars of the mouth but mesial (toward the midline of the face) from both maxillary second molars. Maxillary first molars of permanent and primary teeth marked in red.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Maxillary_first_molar
Although any tooth can have decay form and need a root canal, the back molars are the most common teeth to need root canals.
Root canals on front teeth are easier (and less painful)
Root canals done on front teeth can be easier because there's less pulp in thinner front teeth. Less pulp also means it's not as painful, especially because local anesthesia should mean you feel almost nothing.
Typically incisors, canines and premolars will have one root whereas molars will have two or three. The neck is the dividing region of tooth at the gum line, where the crown meets the root.
Curved or narrow tooth canals can make a root canal procedure more difficult. When you arrive for your appointment, the dental staff will take an x-ray of your tooth. Taking an x-ray allows the endodontist to determine the shape of your root canals and the status of the bone surrounding the tooth.
This includes the type of tooth, shape of the canal system, and current or past injury. While an endodontist can perform the procedure regardless of the circumstances of these aspects, general dentists will typically only do so when the conditions are less complex.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
All teeth are covered with same enamel. But, molars are much larger and broad, and have thicker coating of enamel. So, they are strongest.
Root Canal Treatment Success Rate
According to this report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.
Normally mandibular first and second molars have two roots, one is mesial and the other is distal, and at least three main canals. The roots of the second molar can change from one to three, the first molar can have also four roots; the canals can change from three to even six.
How do you know if you need a root canal? Root canals are needed for a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity, or issues from a previous filling. Patients generally need a root canal when they notice their teeth are sensitive, particularly to hot and cold sensations.
An alternative to a root canal is a tooth extraction, in which your dentist can replace a damaged tooth with a bridge, partial denture, or implant. This can be an expensive treatment and usually requires several visits to your doctor. If you're a candidate for a root canal, you'll likely experience less pain over time.
Dental treatment alternatives to a root canal include direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
Root Canals Aren't Possible with Severe Infection
If the deepest layers of the pulp become infected, it may be too late to save the tooth. In addition, if a large portion of the tooth is lost and a crown cannot be placed on what's left, root canal treatment is no longer a viable solution.
For example, certain general dentists will do their own root canals on anterior or bicuspid teeth, because these teeth are easier to access and only have one or two roots. However, with a molar tooth, these are far back in the patient's mouth giving the dentist limited access and have 3 to 4 canals.
After a root canal, they can simply be restored with dental filling and left without a crown. However, if the front tooth has been discolored by decay, then a crown should be fitted for cosmetic purposes.
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, you have a second chance.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
Quick answer: The average root canal treatment is 30 to 60 minutes long. More complex cases may take around 90 minutes. A root canal typically requires one or two appointments to complete.
Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy
Teeth whitening treatments usually work by stripping or entering the outer enamel layer, which makes teeth weaker if done many times. So, more often than not, yellow teeth are actually stronger than pearly white ones–so long as they're cleaned regularly.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Ingredients in these foods can seep into your enamel (the outermost covering of your teeth) and cause discoloration.
Teeth ultimately turn yellow as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a grayish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.
Antibiotics are not absolutely necessary after a root canal. After a root canal, you need very little time to recover, and post-operative care is the best way for fast healing. However, a dentist may recommend antibiotics before root canal to improve the chances of a successful outcome.
A root canal can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours. It can sometimes be done in one appointment but may require two. A root canal may be done by your dentist or an endodontist. Endodontists have more specialized training for root canal treatment.
How many visits does it take for Root Canal Treatment? You can expect two or three visits for an endodontic treatment, better known as a root canal. Your first appointment works on fixing the pain you probably have, and that shouldn't take too long. Once that's settled, your next appointments will treat the root canal.