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DENTAL
FAQ's Root
Canal
I'd
rather have a root canal than... Q: Are there
alternative treatments for root canal? Should some people get a second
opinion? Is misdiagnosis possible in root canal? A:
Root canal treatment is most commonly used to treat infection originating
in the pulp (nerve) of a tooth. (There are other reasons for which root
canal is performed, usually to permit restorative or prosthetic treatment,
but this is not germane to this discussion.) Such
an infection originating in the pulp may be treated in one of three ways:
Depending
on the presenting condition of the tooth in question, one or another of
these approaches may be appropriate. Sometimes only one alternative is
possible, which narrows the choice. Of the three techniques, the first two
are an attempt to save the affected tooth; the extraction should be
reserved as a last resort when salvage is not possible. Second opinions are advisable when either the diagnosis is not certain or there is any doubt on the part of the patient of the doctor's competence, trustworthiness, or openness to all potential alternative treatments. Many times a general dentist will refer a patient to a root canal specialist (endodontist) if there is an equivocal diagnosis. Yes, misdiagnosis is possible; after all, dentists are human. Q: I had a
root canal done 6 days ago on molar #19 (if that helps). I still have the
dull ache off and on in that tooth that brought me to my endodontist in
the first place. He said the x-rays were inconclusive, so suggested a root
canal. It's a very dull throb, doesn't even keep me up at night, or so far
hasn't gotten worse. I was hoping it would go away after the root canal.
I'm now discouraged. It is off and on several times throughout the day.
Why? I'm beginning to think it didn't even help. Any ideas? A: Performing
a root canal on a hunch is, by our estimation, rather presumptuous. It is
always safer to proceed from a diagnosis to a treatment, rather than to
use a treatment to confirm a diagnosis. There are three possibilities: The diagnosis
was correct, the root canal was performed properly, and you're
experiencing normal postoperative pain which will disappear with time.
This is common. The diagnosis
was correct, but for some reason the root canal did not eliminate the
problem. The diagnosis
was incorrect, the root canal treatment was inappropriate, and the
original problem remains untreated. Only time
will tell which of the three possibilities applies; let's hope it's #1. If
the symptoms persist, a return trip to the endodontist is indicated.
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