Question about a root canal?

I've moved around several times in the last few years and never stayed in one place long enough to make a point to go to the dentist, etc. So...now I've settled down and have been making all kinds of appointments to get caught up. I went to the dentist last week and got all kinds of bad news. They claim I need a root canal and a handful of fillings. I admit, I deserve that, I take good care of my teeth and you'd never know by looking at my smile that I have a bunch of cavities, but "bad" teeth seem to run in the family. I accepted my punishment and set up an appointment for the root canal to get started. But now I'm starting to question it, I don't even have any pain in the area where they pointed out. I've never been to this place before and haven't heard anything one way or the other about them. Is it possible to need a root canal even though I have no pain? I want to be sure that I don't have an unnecessary procedure done...especially one that costs soo much (the crown!)

Question about a root canal?
why not get a second oppion...they take X rays and show you where and how and why the root canal is needed...AT least my dentist does...I am getting one this THURS....and I know I needed one. I saw it on the X ray and I've been having trouble with it ...Good luck...
Reply:do the root canal, i had one done a few years ago


a few years before the root canal, my dentist said i needed one, and i chickened out and didn't go for years, and then i finally got it. i actually waited too long and they had to do more on the tooth then they planned on. get it done as soon as possible


i didn't have any pain either, which was kind of weird, but then again, the reason people get root canals is because that tooth is dead, so it probably has no feeling
Reply:You probably don't have any pain because the tooth may be dead.
Reply:You might want to see why you need a root canal. I had one done when I had my crown changed. There was an infection in my gums and they wanted to get that out first before they put the new crown on. I didn't have pain either. No symptoms at all.
Reply:well, you can check the better business bureau, and the medical board, and online to check out the dentist... usually on the medical board site, where you would find their license number it would say if there were any legal actions against him... I would definitely have the root canal done before there is pain... yes, you can need one done, and not have any pain. There is nothing like your own teeth, take care of everything... ask to see the xray of your mouth too, and tell them to point out where you will need this root canal...
Reply:Yes, you can need a root canal even if you have no pain. The xrays are probably showing that but they really wouldn't know for sure until they start drilling. When they get to the root and there is no blood then the root is dead and needs to be removed. Not fun. It takes a while for the procedure and you will have to keep your mouth open for a good while.


You will actually be paying for the root canal and a crown. It is very expensive.


If you are not sure about the dentist, ask around town to see if anybody knows someone who has gone to this clinic. You could probably call the state dental board and check up on him to see how long he has been in practice, if he specializes in anything or has had any complaints filed against him. Also, go with your gut feeling. How did the exam go? Were you comfortable with him and his staff? Was the office clean? Did you see diplomas on the wall etc.


Good luck!
Reply:Bad teeth run in my family as well. If I were you I would get all of my teeth pulled out and just get dentures. Well I would not get them all pulled out right now. I would wait at least 2 to 5 years and let your teeth do its thing, but you still would have to brush and mouthwash to you get that done. At least then you could eat what you want when ever you want. And now you would not have to worry going to the dentist a lot. And besides some dentist just want money. They make you get unneeded stuff done. One time they said I needed a root canal done on a tooth that had no visible damage done to it.
Reply:forget the crown.





The root canal itself will set you back about 1000 bucks. THEN there is a crown. If this is a back molar, get the tooth pulled.








Noone ever tells you that the REAL pain of a root canal is NOT the proceedure, but the cost. Also, root canals leave the tooth very weak and brittle. Before I could afford a crown


the tooth broke twice. Note this was a $1000 tooth!!!





Now, the worst tooth in my mouth is the friggin root canal tooth. Now it can't be fixed.





If your dentist doesn't tell you that root canals are are an UNPROVEN method of supposedly fixing a tooth; he is ripping you off. He should also tell you that root canals break very easily.