Expert: Rafael Mosery,D.D.S. - 10/24/2007

Question
Hello Doctor,
 I am having some acute pain in a tooth under a three tooth bridge. I anticipate being told I'll need a root canal on that tooth. My question is will I be able to save and re attach the existing bridge I have after a root canal on one of those teeth or does the root canal change the shape of the tooth and require me to replace that bridge at of course a substantial cost??

Answer
Depending on the integrity of the underlying tooth requiring the root canal,you might be able to keep everything in it's place. If the underlying tooth wasn't broken down too much before it was prepared for the bridge the root canal could be done through an opening on the chewing surface and then closed up.You wouldn't even know it was done.If however the tooth was severly broken down ,the root canal might be the last straw and the bridge might have to be replaced and a post fabricated to provide adequate support for the new restoration.The treating Dr. Should be able to guide you and inform you if the bridge is  going to be salvagable as described.