Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 11/8/2007

Question
Hi there,
I had a root canal on an upper back tooth (#14) in July. The pain never subsided, and after two months my dentist simply sent me away with some antibacterial mouthwash and said if it still hurt in 6 weeks, the root canal would have to be done again.  I have just had the root canal done again, and now the dentist tells me that one root is curved, so that they couldn't remove all of it, and that if this root canal doesn't work my only option is specialist treatment.  However, she also said that it is unlikely that will save my tooth either and I may have to get it removed and have an implant.

In your experience, do you think my tooth still has a chance, if part of one root has not been removed?
I would like to save it if I could, even though it is causing me so much grief...


Answer
Hi Clare

The success of root canal treatment depends on being able to remove all of the pulp tissue and disinfecting then sealing the root canal system. If your dentist has been unable to access part of a canal then this will always be a potential area for reinfection.

My advice would be to see a specialist - at least for an opinion. They often can successfully treat this sort of problem.

Regards

Tony Appleton