Root Canal?

I went to the dentist last week to get my teeth cleaned. I'm scheduled for my next appointment in two weeks. I also discovered i needed two root canals. The teeth have a black line on the inner part of my mouth. They used to hurt but now i feel almost nothing. Is this bad? Whats a crown? Will i need them after the procedure? I dont think the tooth is cracked but there is a very slight pain. How will my teeth look after? How do i prevent this in the future? I do brush at least three times a day and floss twice a day(i guess thats not enough).

Root Canal?
Its not really bad, alot of ppl need root canals. I've had 2 root canals and alot more work done on my own mouth. A crown is basically a tooth shaped cover they put on top of ur teeth, they usually make ur teeth smaller to fit the crown. How it looks really will depend on the dentists skill, mine look ok, alittle big i think and theres alittle gray showing from the glue they use, but its alot better than having black teeth. U should ask your dentist how often to brush and floss, mine told me 2X a day for each is enough for most ppl.
Reply:I don't know what you mean by a black line- where on the tooth is it? It quite possibly is decay. Root canals are needed when the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth (the space inside the tooth that houses the nerves and blood supply). They probably don't hurt because the tooth is dead. The body cuts off the nerves and blood to that tooth to cut off the bacteria from entering the blood stream. You will need crowns placed on these teeth. A crown aka cap, is a gold, porcelain or metal jacket that covers the whole part of the tooth that is visible in the mouth. Many people have them, the aesthetics are improving greatly, especially ones made for front teeth. Your teeth will still be in the mouth, they will just have a different covering on them. You do need to brush and floss in special directions around them to keep debris from becoming packed around it. Your dentist should show you this after he places them.





As for prevention, brush and floss twice a day. Flossing three times a day is excessive and unnecessary. Make sure you are using a soft toothbrush. Try reviewing the 'Bass Technique' method of toothbrushing on the internet, it is the most effective because it cleans bacteria out of the sulcus (pocket between the gums and the tooth). Brush with fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is an element that helps prevent tooth decay by remineralizing the enamel layer of the tooth. Cut back on sugary food, sugared gums and hard candy. Also try drinking more water during the day when you can't brush.
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