So scared of my upcoming dental procedure(s)...

[Diane429]

I'm so scared of my dental appt. tomorrow & the unexpected procedures. Two weeks ago, I went for my regular check-up & the did x-rays. The x-rays showed that I have an infection around the root of a tooth that is part of a 3 part bridge. That bridge has been there for 40 years... mid 80's. I have had no pain or problems at all. The bridge has a chip on the last/back crown. I started antibiotics & was referred to an endodontist for a root canal. During the appt. for the RC, the dentist told me the bridge has to come off (yikes) so she can evaluate the tooth as it has a cavity on it. My dentist says she can go through the bridge to do the root canal. Tomorrow, I have a dental appt. to have the tooth evaluated to see if it's even savable, then I will have to go back to the endodontist for a root canal. If the bridge has to be removed, it will never go back on. So, now I'm wondering if an infected tooth with a cavity, under a bridge, is even worth saving. Does a root canal keep a tooth from decaying? What will they do about the cavity? Is the tooth, that will possibly be under a new bridge just going to be future problems? I don't want a decaying tooth with an infection in my mouth. I'm scared to death of the Novocain shot, root canal, extractions... all of it. Photo: #13, third from back, curved root tooth.

 

[Gordon]

Does a root canal keep a tooth from decaying?

No.

What will they do about the cavity?

Remove any decay and repair what's left.

Is the tooth, that will possibly be under a new bridge just going to be future problems?

Maybe, depends on whether the endodontist can access all the root canal due to the shape of the root.