1. What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?

Occasionally a root canal will need an additional procedure performed. Some of the different causes could be from additional canals being untreated, saliva contamination, and delayed follow up restoration allowing for new decay to form and expose the root canal material to bacteria causing infection.


2. If root canal is performed, won’t the tooth be dead?

When a root canal is performed, the nerve and pulp of the tooth is removed. By removing the nerve, the vitality of the tooth is removed. The tooth will no longer have any sensation to hot, cold, or pressure, which we recognize as being dead.


3. Will the tooth darken after treatment?

Yes, in most cases over a long period of time the tooth will darken. Sometimes, the tooth darkens before the root canal, usually the result of an injury to the tooth.


4. Will the tooth crack or fracture?

That is always a possibility due to fact that non-vital teeth are more at risk to break due to the tooth being weakened when the pulp was removed. The simplest way to explain it would be to compare it to a tree. A live tree, the branches are very difficult to break off. A dead tree, the branches can easily be snapped off. Whenever, a root canal is performed on a tooth, it is always recommended to follow up with a crown restoration.


5. Can a root canal treated tooth be used as an anchor for a bridge?

Absolutely, once restored with a post and build up, the tooth is a very stabile anchor for a bridge.


6. Is it normal for the tooth to hurt after root canal treatment?

It is normal to feel some discomfort for a few days after a root canal. The discomfort most patients feels is tenderness when biting or chewing.