Root canal info?

[mcgeiger]

The dentist here says that he always does temporary crowns, but I know people who have had them crowned the same day? This will be my first root canal (and with my teeth, not my last), any opinions? other info I should know? TIA

[AZLorena]

I had 3 root canals in one day.....last October due to a fall where I broke 3 of my teeth. From what I understand, the temporary is in place, so that they can take impressions to have the crowns made to fit really well in your mouth. I have porcelain crowns (I don't believe that is a "while you wait" kind of crown to make.) I am very happy with mine. The temporary will definitely not look perfect, but it is necessary. Where will yours be? Mine were all three up front. They sort of made 1 crown that fit over the 3 teeth, then shaped it to look like different teeth. I didn't think it looked too bad.....and was definitely doable for a month or so.

Lorena

[tbb113]

I have gold crowns (on almost every molar). It takes less then 2 weeks to get the gold crown made. No big deal...you just can't floss the normal way when the temporary is in (so you don't accidentally pull it loose). If you are at all sensitive...take the novacine when they go to put the permanent crown on....your tooth might be sensitive otherwise

[MikeC]

I had a root canal done just 3 weeks ago. (An old, old crown over a live tooth broke off and took most of the tooth with it.)

My dentist removed the pulp of the live tooth so that I wouldn't have pain with it. The next appointment, to complete the root canal, and fill the root, and put the permanent crown on, was scheduled for 1-1/2 hours. (My dentist's office now mills crowns themselves rather than having them done outside.)

He decided not to put the permanent crown on in that appointment because he had to remove some gum tissue and my gums were bleeding enough that he was afraid the cement wouldn't hold well. So I had to go back a week later, after the gums had healed, for the permanent crown to be put on.

But if not for the problem with my gums, I wouldn't have had a temporary crown at all. The permanent crown would have been put on right after the root canal was completed.

Always before, I had to have a temporary crown because the permanent crown was made by an outside company. Now, with his practice milling crowns themselves, you don't have to wait. It takes about 20 minutes for them to mill the permanent crown.

[Kingwell]

I was told by my dentist I needed a root canal; after getting a second opinion from my previous dentist (I had recently relocated) she said I didn't need one at all...I am not doubting you need one, but another piece of info my original dentist passed along is that she recommended, whenever possible, to go to a specialist for root canals (I think they are called endodontists). She said they are much better equipped to deal with the entire procedure as well as special situations, etc.

I know lots of dentists do these routinely with no problems...just passing along my experience.

[mcgeiger]

Sadly this is a 2nd opinion, as the first new dentist was scary. The new new one won't do the root canal because it is in a molar, so wants me to go to a specialist ($1000) and the specialist won't do crowns, and so I have to go back to the dentist for the crown (some unknown large some of money)?!? Top this off with finding an apartment, moving, and closing on our condo in 27 days, and school (with hospital rotations) starts in 28 days, oh-and we also found out yesterday that the car needs another $1000 of repair :( So, if I get a temporary crown, I need to find ANOTHER new dentist, as we are moving over 1 hour away...I'm feeling a little overwhelmed :( :(

[Robyn1007]

Deep breath, you'll get through this! (I keep telling myself the same thing :rolleyes: )

[wallycat]

Sadly this is a 2nd opinion, as the first new dentist was scary. The new new one won't do the root canal because it is in a molar, so wants me to go to a specialist ($1000) and the specialist won't do crowns, and so I have to go back to the dentist for the crown (some unknown large some of money)?!? Top this off with finding an apartment, moving, and closing on our condo in 27 days, and school (with hospital rotations) starts in 28 days, oh-and we also found out yesterday that the car needs another $1000 of repair :( So, if I get a temporary crown, I need to find ANOTHER new dentist, as we are moving over 1 hour away...I'm feeling a little overwhelmed :( :(

DH had to do this for his root canal...specialist did the work and regular doc fit him with crown.

Does your school offer any sort of "student insurance" stuff???

When I had hospital duty, it seemed that was when things finally got easier so maybe this will all taper off for you.
Closings are a pain because you have to be there but they are just signing of papers--don't sweat it.

[MikeC]

mcgeiger,

I've had quite a few root canals, unfortunately.

It isn't unusual for a dentist to send you to a specialist (an endodontist) for a root canal. My dentist does some of my root canals himself, but sometimes he sends me to an endodontist. I think it depends on what he perceives to be the "difficulty" level of the therapy and whether or not he expects it to be "routine" or complicated.

And my endodontist doesn't do the crowns. So when I get sent to the specialist for the root canal therapy, I do have to go back to my own dentist to have the crown made.

The last crown I had made cost something over $800. So with the total root canal therapy and crown, I wasn't too far from $2000.

Sorry you're going through this, especially with everything else going on!

[LakeMartinGal]

Perhaps you could try getting into a fee-for-service plan, such as the ones carried on dentalplans.com... You have to use a dentist in-network, but the costs are less. Also, a temporary crown can last up to a month, so it's more important to have the root canal than it is to hurry to get the crown... maybe that will help with your time/moving problem...

[luv2cook]

I'm not sure why so much. I had a root canal done for $300 by a specialist. The crown is what will kill you.