30 years after root canal
Quote:
> I had a root c{*filter*}probably about 30 years ago on one of my lower
> front teeth.
> It has since been darker colored than the rest of them, presumably
> because it's "dead."
> Lately I've noticed that I have a sensation in it, like it wants me to
> wiggle it loose and pull it, is the best way I can describe it.
> It doesn't feel loose, but I kind of want to chew my gum using my
> front teeth to stimulate it. I don't know if that will strengthen it's
> hold in the gum, or loosen it.
> This made me wonder what is holding it in anyway -- since it's not a
> living tooth, but rather some dead thing that is just sitting there.
> What holds it in, versus living teeth?
> And why does a dead tooth feel funny now, after all these years -- it
> almost feels like a normal tooth that is going bad, instead of one which
> has been dead for 30 years.
> It seems to come and go..
Dentists tend to break out in hives when an endodontically treated
tooth is called "dead".
The normal tooth gets its {*filter*} and nerve supply not only from the
dental pulp, but also from the periodontal ligament and bone that
surrounds every root. This is why it is possible to have pain in a
tooth who's pulp is already non-vital.
Many patients are not clear about what is removed during a root c{*filter*}
treatment. It is the pulp--made of connective tissue, {*filter*} vessels as
well as nerves--that is removed. If the entire pulp is removed,
together with any other contamination from the root c{*filter*}system, it
does nothing to the solid portion of the root--which remains, surrounded
by the periodontal ligament. If portions of the pulp are allowed to
remain, the breakdown products of remaining {*filter*} and connective tissue
will stain the tooth darker. Root canal-treated teeth may become more
opaque if not restored, possibly because of less moisture within the
tooth, but also because it usually is pretty hollow afterwards--from
both any decay that was in the tooth, plus the drilling that was
necessary to achieve access to the pulp to remove it.
Almost all these teeth should be crowned, because they are fragile and
likely to fracture. A possible exception is the front tooth that has
become non-vital after being struck and injured, where the pulp dies
without any solid tooth structure being lost.
There is no way to tell you what is happening to your tooth, but the
sudden appearance of symptoms so long after the tooth was treated is not
a good sign. Could be a fracture, a failure of the root canal, or any
of a number of any things. Anything I say will just be idle
speculation. You should see your dentist, where exam and perhaps an
x-ray will most likely detect the cause of the symptoms.
Steve
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.***.com/
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
