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Dentistry/Additional questions RE: Root canal performed suddently without any symption

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Question
Dear Dr. Appleton,

Thank you for your reply.   Got two more questions.   Thanks for your help.


•   With a thorough dental routine check-up (Visual) along with X-rays, can a dentist discover any cavities at early stage and follow-up treatment with appropriate fillings to prevent the chance for needing root canal?

•   During drilling prior to a dental filling, can a dentist drill too deep or accidentally damage the pulp and end up needing a root canal?)  

Answer
Hi

1) Usually yes.
2) It would be unusual to drill too deep in a healthy tooth, as when drilling we are removing decay not normal tooth tissue.  It can and often does happen that we start what we think is going to be a routine filling only to find that the decay has spread through to the pulp and root canal is necessary.

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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