Most Commonly Asked Questions

If you remove the nerve, won't the tooth be dead?

No, the nerve is only part of the tooth's vitality.  Strong living fibers attach the tooth to the bone, which makes a nerveless tooth very much alive and functional.

Am I justified in spending money for root canal treatment?


The alternative is extraction and replacement of the tooth with a bridge or an implant.  Besides losing and important member of the dentition, the artificial substitutes usually cost more than root canal treatment and the permanent restoration of the tooth.

How long will the tooth last after root canal treatment?

Often as long as the other teeth in the mouth, provided the person is in good health and his or her body has the ability to repair damaged bone.  The tooth must also have healthy fibers supporting the tooth in the bone (healthy gums around that tooth).

Will the tooth darken after treatment?

Most of the time discoloration of the tooth does not occur.  Where a tooth may have been discolored before endodontic treatment began, it is sometimes possible to correct the discoloration through endodontic bleaching procedures.

Will the tooth crack or fracture?

Measures will be taken while root canal treatment is in progress to prevent this from occurring.  You may further prevent fracture by strengthening this tooth with a crown.

Will my health be jeopardized by a root canal treated tooth?

Not at all!  Once an endodontically (root canal) treated tooth has healed, it takes its place as a functional organ of the body much as a once broken leg can soon support body weight.

Can a root canal treated tooth be used as an anchor for a bridge?

Yes indeed.  With proper bone support a nerveless tooth is an excellent bridge anchor.

If the tooth is dead why does it hurt so much?

Discomfort prior to treatment is a result of infection and inflammation of the nerve, surrounding bone and soft tissue. Once the offending nerve canal is cleansed and medicated, the pain will go away and the tooth will feel normal again.

Can root canal infection always be treated successfully?

Unfortunately not.  Sharp curves due to unusual root growth and extremely narrow canals occasionally make instrumentation and medication impossible; however, this does not mean the tooth necessarily must be lost, since other procedures can often save the tooth (e.g. apicoectomy, etc.)