Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 7/25/2006

Question
Hello,
About a week ago, my front right tooth began being sensitive to cold drinks and foods.  No other tooth is bothering me, and it is only bothering me when I have cold things.  Nothing that is hot bothers it, or sweets, or breathing air into it; it's only the cold that makes my tooth hurt.  Since it's my front tooth, and I wore braces for 5 excrutiating years, I'm severely worried that I will have to have a root canal or something that will make me need to have a false tooth.  I like my smile and I don't want to get rid of any of my teeth.  However, I went to my dentist last time and he told me I needed a root canal after five minutes.  When I went to see the specialist, she told me I had no swelling and that I didn't need one at that time because my tooth was no longer hurting.  He gave me some penicilin last time and she thinks I may have just had an infection. So, my point is, this guy thinks I need a root canal every time I go in, and that's fine, but I REALLY do not want a false tooth in the front of my mouth.  I already have one in the back of my mouth and that is fine.  Does cold sensitivity necessarily mean I have something wrong with the root of my tooth?

Answer
Dina
Without seeing you in person, it is impossible to come up with a definitive diagnosis. I can only discuss things here with you in generalities. My job is to give you some good information so that you can ask good questions of your dentist.

Root canals usually hurt constantly. You will usually get spontaneous pain that lingers. You often will see something at the end of the root on an xray. You are merely having some cold sensitivity. Cold sensitivity can be exposed root (gum recession). It can also be the start of a cavity. Some people just have thinner enamel, particularly on front teeth and feel great amounts of cold sensitivity in these teeth. Don't you know people who just cannot stand eating ice cream?

You saw a root canal specialist who said no root canal is needed. That is all I would want to hear. These are the people who understand these the best. If the symptoms change or intensify, I would then go back for another opinion.

The false tooth question puzzles me. Do you mean a crown or a cap? If so, do not worry about these. We can make these look totally natural and be totally comfortable. A good cap should not even feel like it is there.

So I hope all of this information helps you out. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck

Jeff Dalin, DDS