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How Long Can You Go Without a Root Canal Treatment?

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I will be the first to admit that I am not the best patient. I am a bit fidgety and nervous during dental procedures, and have the unfortunate habit of avoiding dental care until I have a dental emergency. I currently have a tooth that I have been told needs a root canal treatment. However, the tooth does not bother me. Is it really necessary for me to get a root canal treatment or can I put it off for a while?

Stan

Dear Stan,

Root canal treatment illustration

 

If it is not hurting and has not for a while, then it may be fine for you to put off your root canal treatment. I’ve known patients who have gone for years without having a root canal treatment done. I will tell you that when they did finally get their treatment, the realized how much better they felt systemically. Most people do not realize that a dental problem will impact their general well being. When you fix a dental problem, you end up feeling better physically.

That being said, there are some things that would signify that you will need a root canal treatment and should not put it off. First, would be if you are in any pain. Even if you were recently in pain and it just stopped. This is a sign of an active infection. Left untreated it could turn into a dental emergency. The second, is if you have an abscess. It will look like a pimple on your gums and may even have some drainage.

As for being fearful or uncomfortable at the dentist, it is not uncommon. The good news is that I have a solution for you that will enable you to get an anxiety free as well as pain free dental procedure. My suggestion is that you see a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication that will completely change the way you are affected by dental care.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentists Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Should I Save My Last Two Upper Teeth?

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I’m in a bit of a pickle, that I completely caused. I have never been a fan of the dentist. Rather than sucking it up, I avoided you guys as best I could and only went when I had a dental emergency. Now I am left with only my two front teeth on the top. My bottom level has most of the teeth. At the moment, I am wearing two partial dentures up top. They are very uncomfortable. My  dentist suggestted I just take those last teeth out and get dentures, but I read it is important to keep teeth because of facial collapse. Is there another option for me?

Keith

Dear Keith,

Image of upper and lower dentures

 

You are in a unique situation. I’m going to start by helping you keep those lower teeth. Those are essential for reasons I’ll go over shortly. Even with your dental anxiety, you will not have to “suck it up.” My suggestion is that you see a dentist who offers dental sedation options. If you have mild anxiety, then nitrous oxide is enough. If you have severe anxiety, you will want a dentist who offers oral conscious sedation.

This is administered by a pill and will allow you to sleep through your dental procedure if you want to. Be aware, however, that it is so strong that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you for a few hours after your procedure is completed. You will want to be lucid and steady on your feet before being left alone.

You will want to do everything possible to save your lower teeth. These are the teeth that will impact you when it comes to facial collapse. While your upper dentures will be held in my suction, it is the ridge of your lower jawbone that holds in your lower dentures. When your teeth are removed, your body recognizes that and begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use your body’s resources as efficiently as possible. This has the unfortunate side effect of shrinking your jawbone as the minerals leave. After ten years or so, you will not have enough of the ridge left to retain your dentures. Keeping those teeth are essential.

Because you are dealing with just your upper teeth, you can go ahead and extract those last two. You will be much more comfortable with a full upper denture than you are with the two partials.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist  Dr. Alan Yount.