Root canal? How do I know that the nerves are dead?
How does the dentist know that the nerves are dead, and hence RCT? Can't the infection, no matter how deep it is, be treated? Why should a RCT be introduced so easily?
Answers:
There are many ways to tell if the nerve is dead, and not all of them present initially with pain. If you doubt what your dentist has shown you, go and ask him why. He should be able to explain what he used to diagnose and why you need the root canal. If you don't trust him, see another dentist and he will be able to help you.
You can treat the infection with just anti-biotics, but if you do not remove the cause of the infection, it will just come back and you will have to start all over again. Also, if you treat the infection, it comes back, and you don't have time to get in to get another prescription for an anitbiotic, the infection can spread to other teeth, can get into your maxillary sinus, which leads back to your brain and to the "retroperitoneal space" which runs back behind your heart. So an untreated infection can cause all sorts of medical problems that may lead to death. Sorry to sound dramatic, but a young boy died in a D.C. hospital a few weeks ago from an untreated dental infection. So, go see a dentist, whether your previous one or a new one and don't be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help.
They have a tool that tests the nerve of the tooth; it is through electric shock that they can determine if it is dead or not. Because it is dead they have to clean the cavity before it gets infected. Your dentist should have pamphlets about that in the clinic for you to read about before you decide to go ahead with the procedure. I had RCT last year and I was surprised I had a dead nerve since there were no signs at all. The dentist noticed it because of the discoloration (graying) of the tooth and then it was confirmed dead after the test. The procedure is almost painless as far as I'm concerned.
I find it strange that the dentist recommended a root canal and there is no pain. I have had a couple of root canals and they were always due to an abcess which I can honestly say hurt worse than childbirth. You may want to get a second opinion before going through this procedure, not only is it time consuming and costly, but it makes your mouth very sore! The way that they know or think they know the nerves are dead is they open the tooth up and take files attached to the drill and file the nerves out and x-ray to see that the nerve is gone. Then they rinse the roots out and apply medicine to cleanse and disinfect the roots and then pack it back and apply a filling or a crown. If the nerves aren't completely removed then you will have pain and sensitivity in that tooth, this is why I recommended a second opinion because if the tooth dosen't hurt now and something goes awry with the rc then you could have pain and discomfort afterwards. Best of luck to you!
The way the dentist knows that the nerve is dead and that there is infection present is by viewing the x-ray. On x-ray the bone surrounding the tip of the root will appear dark, as does decay in the tooth.
He knows the nerve is dead because of the presence of the infection. A live healthy nerve (blood supply) does not abscess.
Sometimes you will not have pain because the nerve has died, but left untreated you will eventually have pain associated with the infection. pressure will build as the infection multiplies and unless the infection is able to drain you will develop intolerable pain.
Yes, the infection can be treated with antibiotics but unless the source of the in infection is removed the infection will return. The tooth must be treated with root canal therapy to seal off the source or the tooth must be extracted-- unfortunately there are no other options.
Hope this helps.
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