I'm planning to go for a root canal treatment as suggested by my dentist unless there is an alternative such as filling.

My last molar tooth was slightly damaged earlier by my wisdom tooth growing sideways (which had already been removed two years ago).

I have been feeling some throbbing sensation recently coming from my last molar tooth. So, I thought maybe it's some slight toothache and perhaps it's time to go for root canal treatment.

I'd like to learn any dos and don'ts for root canal treatment. As in am I allowed to eat as normal in-between appointments?

And what should I expect? Is it going to be painful after the procedure like the wisdom tooth removal surgery?

Frankly there are no do's and dont's just a general care for in between appointments(assuming it's not a single seating root canal procedure) just a general care as there will be temporary filling used in between appointments. It won't break so easily but do keep in mind that you have a temporary filling over that tooth and try not to eat things that are too hard such as bones.

Some sort of discomfort can be expected but not in everyone, if any pain arises after your session you should contact your dentist, and no the pain afterwards will not be anything close to wisdom tooth surgery in most cases.

Thank you for your reply.

Will a crown last forever? Or I have to have it changed after ten years or so.

I visited my dentist for advice and he offered another alternative. - Extract that tooth and do braces instead to realign because my lower teeth area are overcrowded. At the same time, the other lower wisdom tooth (which it's not extracted yet) on the other side can be extracted as well. I think I like that alternative better.

What do you think? Should I have it extracted and opt for braces for the lower teeth instead.

This post has been edited by Blofeld: Jul 18 2018, 10:14 AM

Longevity of a crown is highly subjective I've seen crowns failing after one year and also have seen patients with crowns for 30 years and having no problem. The key is in maintaining the crown properly and going for regular check ups.

As for extracting and using braces to align the crowded teeth, I wouldn't really recommend on that as there are much more complications and things to consider when going through with that. Unless the crowding is so severe that it makes it difficult for activities such as eating or keeping that area clean then yes it could be an option.

Sorry for such vague answers I'm limited on what I can suggest without seeing the condition of the teeth or x-ray of your mouth.

Thank you for your reply again

After thinking over, I think the root canal treatment is the better choice.

But one thing I just started to ponder but I didn't ask my dentist is why the normal filling cannot be done? The cavity is at the back end of the second molar.

And if the root canal treatment fail, can the root canal tooth be extracted in the future?

As for that question I can't give a definite answer in your case, but when the decay in the tooth reached the inner most area of the teeth(pulp) where the blood and nerve supply of the teeth is a normal filling would only cause more harm than good. Therefore root canal is indicated.

Yeah if root canal fails you can opt for extraction or there are many other treatment options available to save a failed root canal before opting extraction.

Thanks

May I know does extracting a failed root canal require a surgical extraction as in cutting gums or just a normal extraction will do?

There are going to be some difficulty depending on the teeth condition itself, but a normal extraction would suffice in most cases.

Thanks!

In cases of abscess arising after root canal treatment, is removal of the root canal tooth (if i opted for this) usually solve the problem?

Or is apicoectomy a must? I read about apicoectomy and it sounds scary to me.

Usually there are sequences of.treatments for failed root canal teeth but that all depending on many things such as size of the lesion, presence of root resorption, etc.

Yes extraction and antibiotics coverage will more than adequate to cure in cases of abscess formation

Apicectomy is just a treatment options but highly dependant on the condition of the tooth itself.

Thanks for your explanation.

May I know is there a minimum time and maximum time between root canal treatment being completed and going for crowning?

Recommended from 1 month to 1 year of root canal procedure completion.