When is a root canal not necessary?

Swelling due to a nerve abscess can be treated with a root canal; however, if your swollen gums are caused by a gum abscess, then you do not need a root canal.
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What happens if I don't get a root canal?

If you need a root canal, the pulp inside your tooth is likely infected. Left untreated, the infection may spread from the tooth to the gum and jawbone surrounding the decaying pulp.
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Why do dentists always want to do root canals?

Root canals are needed for a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity, or issues from a previous filling. Patients generally need a root canal when they notice their teeth are sensitive, particularly to hot and cold sensations.
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Can I wait two months for root canal?

If you wait a long time to undergo a root canal, bacteria will attack the tip of the tooth's root, causing serious bone loss. Such bone loss can result in tooth loss.
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Is there an alternative to root canal?

Dental treatment alternatives to a root canal include direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
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ROOT CANALS; NOT always necessary!!



What can I get instead of a root canal?

An alternative to a root canal is a tooth extraction, in which your dentist can replace a damaged tooth with a bridge, partial denture, or implant. This can be an expensive treatment and usually requires several visits to your doctor. If you're a candidate for a root canal, you'll likely experience less pain over time.
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What are symptoms of needing a root canal?

Signs you may need root canal therapy include:
  • Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure.
  • Prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed)
  • Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth.
  • Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums.
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Can xray show if you need root canal?

When you get an x-ray, this will give definitive proof that you need to get a root canal. The x-ray gives the dentist a clear view of any infection in the tooth especially one at the root of the tooth.
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How do I avoid a root canal?

Avoidance Tactics: Top 10 Tips to Avoid Root Canal Treatment
  1. Brush twice daily. ...
  2. Floss once daily. ...
  3. Avoid hard foods such as hard candies and lollipops. ...
  4. Weak teeth be wary. ...
  5. Back away from the ice! ...
  6. Wear a mouth guard at night. ...
  7. Wear a mouth guard while playing sports.
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Does toothache always mean root canal?

In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we find that intense pain can often be due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.
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Is it better to get a root canal or tooth extraction?

In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
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What do holistic dentists do instead of root canals?

The most common holistic alternatives to root canals are: Zirconia implants: These biocompatible tooth restorations provide unparalleled stability, function, and feel. They are used to replace your natural tooth root and are topped with a natural-looking crown.
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How do you get rid of a root canal infection naturally?

The following home remedies can be applied along with prescribed treatments.
  1. Saltwater rinse. ...
  2. Baking soda. ...
  3. Oregano essential oil. ...
  4. Cold compress. ...
  5. Fenugreek tea. ...
  6. Clove essential oil. ...
  7. Thyme essential oil. ...
  8. Hydrogen peroxide.
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Can a root canal be avoided with antibiotics?

Although antibiotics will not be effective in lieu of a root canal, your provider may prescribe a preventive course of these medications following your root canal treatment. This is to reduce your risk of developing infection in the bone surrounding the tooth, which prophylactic antibiotics are very effective at doing.
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Do you always need a crown?

Some situations make the crown unavoidable, while others can be solved with alternatives. The most common reasons for a dental crown are root canals, tooth decay and tooth damage. Your dentist may have recommended that you get a full crown, but sometimes there are other options.
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Can you have a filling without a root canal?

If the infection has seeped into the tooth's pulp, then root canal therapy becomes unavoidable. On the contrary, fillings can be used instead of a root canal if the tooth has a smaller cavity or a minor decay, which has not yet reached the pulp.
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How long do root canals last?

According to this report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.
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Does a root canal hurt worse than getting a tooth pulled?

In addition, healing from an extraction takes longer and is often more painful than healing from a root canal, and pulling the tooth means even more dental procedures and healing time to replace it later. Still, pulling the tooth might be right for some situations.
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Why do I need a root canal instead of a filling?

While a filling is perfect to take care of minor cavities and tooth damage, a root canal is used when the infection has reached the pulp. The pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is extracted when you acquire a root canal near you, the tooth is filled and a crown is often put in place afterwards.
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What is the average age to get a root canal?

Dentists usually perform root canals on children ages 12 and older. However, root canals are sometimes needed for younger children depending on the damage to the tooth and which tooth needs a root canal procedure.
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What happens if you get a root canal and no crown?

A root canal often weakens the outer tooth. Because a big part of the tooth's structure is removed during a root canal, the outer tooth is likely to crumble if it is not reinforced with a crown.
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Does teeth become weak after root canal?

It is possible for a tooth to become weaker after a root canal. Dentists must drill through the tooth to get to the pulp, and additional decay might need to be removed. If the tooth is too weak to function, the dentist will add a crown to it.
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Is there an alternative to having a crown?

Inlays. Inlays are a tooth restoration option that can often be used instead of a dental crown if the area that needs treatment is located at on the top of the tooth, also known as the cusp.
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What's an alternative to a crown?

Dental veneers, also commonly called porcelain veneers, are an alternative to dental crowns, however they are only used for teeth that are located in the front of the mouth. Because veneers are made using thin shells of porcelain, they end up being a better option for the front teeth.
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