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Root canal on tooth with crack in root

  • 18-07-2016 09:15PM
    #1
    andrewk08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I have a tooth that broke recently and went to dentist. he recommended a root canal and a crown (€850 + €900).
    However, when looking at the x-ray, one of the roots of the tooth had a crack in it and I was worried that this may be a problem for the root canal? (i.e. should I spend 1750 on a tooth that may need to come out?)

    Also, the root canal specialist fee is €180 on the day for the consultation, even if he decides not to proceed.

    Does anyone have any experience of a crack in a root and do you think I should get a second opinion?
    Thanks

    P.S. I have question marks about the competency of the practice after a friend's root canal got infected and it turned out they left a piece of broken file in her root. (Surely that stands out a mile on an x-ray?)


Comments

  • #2
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,251 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    A tooth with a fractured root in a fully grown adult is unrestorable, no if ands or buts.


  • #3
    andrewk08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭andrewk08


    Thank you. The conclusion was that I went to another dentist. He concurred with what you said and told me the tooth should come out. Mind you, when he x-rayed the tooth, the x-ray did not go low enough to see the crack, but he didn't x-ray it again, he just concurred that it should come out of the based of my account and made me an appointment.

    One last question, if you are still listening; if the tooth is not infected or not causing a problem, why would it need to come out?
    I have a question about the extraction, but I will ask that separately.


  • #4
    Oral Surgeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Oral Surgeon


    a "crack " is not always obvious on xray, it depends on the angle of the xray... The dentist must have made a decision based on the overall restorability of the tooth coupled with the history of having been referred for a root canal treatment...

    What happens if you do nothing?? Most likely the tooth will become sore or infected and this often happens all of a sudden or at an inconvienient time... Now you can treat it when suits your schedule....

    A careful extraction is important if you are considering an implant in future...
    andrewk08 wrote: »
    Thank you. The conclusion was that I went to another dentist. He concurred with what you said and told me the tooth should come out. Mind you, when he x-rayed the tooth, the x-ray did not go low enough to see the crack, but he didn't x-ray it again, he just concurred that it should come out of the based of my account and made me an appointment.

    One last question, if you are still listening; if the tooth is not infected or not causing a problem, why would it need to come out?
    I have a question about the extraction, but I will ask that separately.


  • #5
    andrewk08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭andrewk08


    In this case, the crack was not visible because he did not x-ray the lower part of the root, it was cropped.
    Thank you for your reply, this was very help and I will proceed with the extraction.

    I'm glad I didn't spend €1750 on the root canal and crown now.


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