Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 6/20/2007

Question
Hi I have some anxiety about an upcoming appt.  I've never had anything other than a filling done and that was a while ago.  
I have an appt. for a Root canal and crown on next Tuesday.  I've been assured by everyone that it will be fine and I won't feel a thing or even have much pain later on.
1. Is that true because right now I'm not having any pain at all?  If there will be pain, on a scale from 1-10 what is it like? (10 being excruitating)
2. My general dentist told me that I would also need crown lengthening because part of the filling fell out and a piece of the tooth broke.  When I went to the dentist who is doing the root canal and crown, she said that I may not need crown lengthening but she wouldn't be able to tell until she got in there.  Is that true or should the crown lengthening be done first?  I don't want to pay for something that is not needed.
3. I'm going to be traveling in the mountains a week after the treatment, will that affect anything that I'm having done?  
4. Will I be able to eat on that side of my mouth after it's all done or should I not do that for a while?

The appt. is in the morning and I'm taking the whole day off from work.   

Thanks so much for your time and for answering my questions.

Answer
Dear Susanne,

The answers to your questions depend very much on the specifics of your case, so it is not possible to provide answers that will reliably pertain to your situation. For example, the amount of pain during and after a root canal procedure varies tremendously, from no pain to the kind of pain that gives root canal its unfortunate reputation. Most cases fall between those two extremes.

The need for crown lengthening is determined based on restorative considerations-- i.e., whether the structural re-building that is planned for the future demands it. This is an area where your general dentist is better qualified to answer than your endodontist. However, performing a crown lengthening prior to root canal therapy may facilitate the root canal, and if the pulpal infection permits a slight delay of the root canal, it would be advantageous to do the crown lengthening first.

Assuming that your tooth is asymptomatic after treatment, it should not have any bearing on whether you can travel. The presence and severity of soreness of the involved tooth will determine whether it is wise to chew on that side; this is only a matter of comfort, and will not effect the outcome of root canal treatment.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY