This is a very common question, and I would like to stress this answer to everyone. THE ROOT CANAL IS ONLY HALF OF THE RESTORATIVE TREATMENT! Getting out of pain is a good thing. Saving the tooth with endodontic therapy is a good thing. Unfortunately, it is only half the battle, and of course, half of the expense involved with saving the tooth. Once you are out of pain, many patients tend to forget, or wish not to remember, that you need to continue on with the restorative needs you have for the tooth in question. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OFF HAVING THE TOOTH RESTORED WITH A BUILDUP AND A CROWN (CAP).

I know that money doesn’t grow on trees! I also know that many of you have an aversion to stepping in a dental office of any kind unless you are in pain. If left un-restored, the tooth you just spent money on to save will continue to decay after a period of time. If this continues un-checked, it may cause eventual loss of the tooth. This can occur in several years or less. Also, and just as important to you, the tooth is now subject to what we call a vertical type of fracture, or crack. If this occurs before you have the tooth restored completely, you may be forced to sacrifice the tooth prematurely (i.e. before your death).

A fracture can occur at any time, and may occur when you are eating something hard or crunchy. Others have experienced a portion of the tooth coming off when eating something as soft as a doughnut or even Jell-O. At any rate, it renders the long-term success of the toothless than ideal. The build-up is much like the foundation that goes under a house before it is built. It is the supportive segment that lends to the stability after construction is complete. The crown (cap) is the finished product that will protect the tooth from possible fracture, and also replace any missing tooth structure that may have been lost due to decay or a large filling that fell out. This could be as a result of decay or a thin wall of enamel that broke off. At any rate, the crown keeps the tooth “together” and helps it to resist the tendency to crack or split, when chewing food.

• Why do I need endodontic therapy (root canal therapy)?
• What is a root canal anyway?
• Would you be more specific?
• How long does it take?
• Is the procedure painful?
• How come my regular dentist won’t do my root canal?
• I had several crowns done in the past, how come I never had a root canal with those teeth?
• How long should I wait before having the buildup and crown done?
• Is it possible to not know that you need endodontic therapy?
• What is the difference between a regular dentist, and a specialist?
• Is it better to see a specialist, or let my general dentist treat me?
• What are some of the complications that could arise during treatment?
• Root canals don’t work on me! I’ve had several; and every time I end up getting the tooth pulled!
• My dentist said I needed to have a tooth I already had a root canal done on, treated again. Why?
• I had endodontic therapy done 10 years ago. Last week I had another tooth treated, and the procedure seemed very different. Which one is better?