Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 11/30/2006

Question
Hi Dr.,
I had a root canal done by a reg. dentist (that was my first mistake - I know), anyway a file separated during this horrible painful root canal & is in one of the canals, I went to endo. specialist- he says it looks ok, went to get a post & crown done by another dentist yesterday & he put the post & temp in but is hesitant to put in the real crown cause he thinks I might lose the tooth due to some problems he said he saw - such as blood in the canal- isn't that a little weird? when I did rinse something bloody did come out..also I'm curious if that nerve is out of the root canaled tooth why do they have to numb me up for the post & crown?

Thanks for your help dr.!!

Lori

Answer
Hi Lori,

Sorry to hear all this is going on. You are right...blood in the canal is not normal. After a root canal is completed, the only logical source for the blood ( the end of the tooth is sealed by the root canal ) is internally up in the root. This usually means a lateral perforation done during the preparation for the post. This can, in fact, cause the tooth to be lost. Before you go any farther, I would get a second opinion. Either go back to the endodontist who saw you after the root canal was completed, or go to another general dentist. Do this ASAP!

As for numbing you up, once again you are right. The tooth will feel nothing, however, the gum and bone are still alive and some patients tend to be a bit "jumpy" when being worked on, so most dentists numb up patients all the time so they don't have to be worried about hurting or scaring the patient and the patient can relax knowing they won't feel a thing, but technically you are absolutely right.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD