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Dentistry/pain after 3 root canals on tooth#31 with crown, is a #4 root canal possible?

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I was told that #31 tooth can have 3 root canals.  They were removed and a crown put in.  Pain with chewing ever since. Crown was removed as I needed crown lengthening and had gum surgery.  Still chewing with pain but better.  Then I was told that i was special because I must have 4 roots in that tooth.  I'm skeptical, was the first root just poorly done/incomplete?  This has occurred over a span of 1 1/2 years.  Thank you!

Answer
Hi Selina

All upper first molar teeth have 3 canals, most have a fourth and some have even more.  The fourth canal can be particularly hard to locate and is frequently missed when root canal work is performed, and often it is only when symptoms persist that the tooth is opened up again and re-examined.

Regards

Tony Appleton

Dentistry

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Tony Appleton BDS DPDS

Expertise

I am an experienced general dental practitioner in private dental practice. I have worked for the past 25 or so years in the UK, and own a busy practice in Stratford upon Avon, Stratford Dental. From early 2012 my wife and I moved to Canberra, Australia, where I have taken up the position of Lead Dentist in a large city-centre practice. I will happily answer questions related to general practice, and have interests in endodontics (root canal), dental implants, CEREC/E4D cad-cam dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

Experience

I have been a general dental practitioner for over 25 years, working initially under the NHS, but since 2001 have been solely in private practice. I run a busy practice with my wife, Lisa, who is also a dentist. I have also been closely involved in the training of young dentists, and have lectured to dentists on a variety of subjects, both clinical and managerial, related to general dental practice.

Organizations

Church Street Dental Practice

Stratford Dental

Modern Dentistry

British Dental Association



Publications

British Dental Journal

Cancer Treatment Reviews



Education/Credentials
BDS Sheffield 1986 DPDS Bristol 2001

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