Many people have questions about how long root canals are supposed to last before they have to be redone. Here’s an in-depth look at the root canal before and after process and what can make them last longer or shorter than usual so you can know if you need to see your dentist sooner rather than later.
Root Canals Performed At Dr. Gordon’s Dental Clinic, Toronto
Back in 2012, my friend Kevin from high school started experiencing pain from his wisdom teeth. When one of them became infected, he was given antibiotics and referred to an emergency dentist. After scheduling for extraction surgery with another clinic, I convinced him that he should have his root canals first (before extracting any teeth) at Dr. Gordon’s Dental Clinic, which is my dentist office.
His reply made me realize that not all people know about dental visits so if you’re in need of an emergency dentist visit or any other dental-related advice feel free to contact me here: [email protected] I don’t want to wait six months, he said. Can’t they just pull it out? My response was, I’m sorry, but it doesn’t work like that. Wisdom teeth are the only type of tooth that can cause problems without exhibiting symptoms until it’s too late because there isn’t enough room for them to come through the gums normally. Pulling out your tooth won’t help your problem; as soon as your new tooth starts coming in, it will also become infected. If we take care of this now, then we can avoid a major infection down the road where more than one tooth needs extracted and maybe even unnecessary jaw surgery.
I reassured him by telling him that many dentists do routine root canal procedures instead of extractions because they are less invasive and cost less money over time due to shorter recovery times and fewer medical complications.
One Year After Treatment
After having treated your root canal, your dentist might recommend another visit six months later for a checkup or second filling. A year after treatment should be sufficient for any crown you had placed; if you want your tooth color to look more natural than it does right now, you may need to return at some point between three and six months. If you’re still experiencing pain or discomfort, schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in NYC immediately. The longer you wait, the more opportunity there is for bacteria to wreak havoc on your tooth’s health.
In fact, two years may be too late — so don’t hesitate! You’re only hurting yourself by sitting on your pain instead of doing something about it! A lot can happen within six months, let alone one year: what if your root canal starts breaking down or swelling? Root canals are meant to last indefinitely as long as they are properly taken care of and maintained. Sometimes a tooth will require additional fillings or treatments during this time frame; but in most cases, it should be strong enough to withstand the wear-and-tear of everyday life without requiring much maintenance.
A good rule of thumb is that if you’re concerned about how well your tooth is holding up and it was originally treated with a root canal (or other type of procedure).
About Periapical Radiographs
Periapical radiographs, also known as periapical films or panoramic films, are images of teeth that can be used to evaluate tooth trauma or pathology. They are often taken in conjunction with bitewing radiographs. The name periapical comes from peri-, meaning around, and -apical, which refers to root canals. Because of their proximity to dental pulp, periapical films can reveal not only damage from caries, but also any endodontic issues or infections in teeth roots. In addition, they may show the presence of cysts, tumors, abscesses or other pathological conditions such as osteomyelitis.
These types of x-rays are more sensitive than traditional bitewing x-rays because they involve a larger area of the mouth. It is important for patients to keep their dentist up-to-date on recent medical history or changes that might affect their oral health. For example, diabetes might lead to an increased risk of gum disease; smoking increases risk for periodontal disease; and genetics can predispose someone to specific dental problems like deep pockets where plaque accumulates between teeth. Dental x-rays should always be interpreted by a licensed dentist or doctor trained in interpreting these types of images.
In one study, researchers found evidence that even when there were no clinical signs, 11% of all people over the age of 60 had evidence of inflammation associated with periodontal disease at the apical extent of their root canal fillings.
Dentists recommend replacing old fillings every 10 years if they’re still intact, though this time frame will vary depending on the type and location (e.g., crowns typically last 15 years). Dentists should monitor teeth at regular intervals to spot potential problems early.
Frequently Asked Questions – What Is A Periapical Radiograph (Or Panoramic X-Ray)?
Here’s an easy way to think about what kind of X-ray your dentist or oral surgeon might be talking about. When it comes time for an X-ray, you’ll either get what’s called a periapical or panoramic radiograph. The periapical part describes exactly where in your mouth your dentist. Will take an X-ray (around and around each tooth, as opposed to around your entire head). Panoramic describes what you see when you get a standard full body X-ray. At the doctor’s office — everyone gets one of these at some point.
So how do they differ, then? In short, the periapical radiograph gives more detail about what’s going on inside a tooth because. The beam of light focuses just on that area. You might need this type of X-ray if you have been diagnosed with gum disease. And are having surgery to remove all or part of your gums. So that we can clean out any infected tissue below them. You may also need this type of X-ray if you have broken a tooth. And we want to know more about what damage has been done before we can fix it. A panoramic scan is often enough for most dental visits. Because this will show us everything going on in your mouth. Without having to look too closely at anything specific.
