chipped tooth needing root canal

[r_r]

My tooth chipped which led me to go to the dentist and I was told I needed a root canal. I'm really scared so I've been putting it off. It's chipped a couple of times since then. I finally found a really nice dentist who is referring me to a specialist. I can't get an appointment with her for two weeks and that's for an evaluation (I'd just like to meet her to feel comfortable). I woke up this morning and more had chipped. About 1/4 of my tooth is gone. When my current dentist examined my tooth I told her it might chip and she was unconcerned about that happening because it had to have a root canal and crown anyway. Is this true and can it chip too much that they wont be able to do the root canal? Also a friend of mine had a root canal and hers broke during the root canal. What should I do? It doesn't hurt at all. Thanks for your time.

 

[mikey]

Wussup

I would go ahead with the root canal because if you wait too long it might have to end up being taken out which nobody wants.

I noticed that you scared about it, have you tried any means of sedation that might help you to be less anxious and scared in the chair like nitrous or oral sedation like Valium.

Heres a link to the section with all the sedation options

 

[annie778]

You can get a nightguard to wear if the tooth is chipping at night. Usually these are specially made, but I've noticed that Boots stock one size fits all types. You will just have to be careful biting and chewing in the day. Perhaps your dentist doesn;t think it will chip much in two weeks.

It's very unlucky for a tooth to break when a root canal is done. That isn't the norm and the specialist doing your canal should be able to judge if a tooth can withstand treatment before it starts (theoretically, the probablity of it happening to you too is low seeing because you know someone it happened to!). Another reason why it's good to go to an endodontist who has more experience in this type of work. I had canals done through crowns on teeth that had already been made much smaller than your tooth is now. So you can imagine how nervous I felt about mine breaking or the crown falling apart, but they were and are fine (years later I might add). I had the crowns for years after before having them replaced. There was a little filling at the back but your's will be nice and smooth like mine are now.

Try not to worry about something that has not happened. I am sure you will be fine.

 

[Zzzdentist]

It depends on how much has broken off the tooth. Some fractures can be problematic, but some aren't much to worry about. If you are concerned, you could speak with your dentist to see what can be done temporarily if need be. Sometimes a tooth can be shored up with a metal band or bonded together with some composite resin. Other times it can be ground down out of the bite to avoid excess pressures applied to it.