If my root canal doest work will I loose the bridge that is fitted to it

Q. I have recently had root canal work on one tooth and the tooth next to this had been removed due to previous failed root canal work. So far the recent root canal work seems to have worked although I do feel some discomfort from time to time, I am about to have bridgework to rectify the missing tooth. My concerns are what if the root canal work hasn’t worked sufficiently what options am I left with once the bridge is fitted and I’ve paid all this money for a bridge to be fitted over a troublesome tooth would I have to get the bridge and tooth removed. At the moment the gum around the tooth just seems permanently swollen is that normal?? root canal procedure was done twice and almost a month ago now, I suffer from TMJ could this be slowing down the healing process as I’ve notice the temporary crowns I have over my teeth have been ground down?

A. I would have expected the root canal to have settled by now, some tenderness / altered sensation is normal, but not what I think you are describing. You cant change what the tooth now is but a root filled + post + crown is lthe weakest bridge abutment. If the tooth on the other side of the gap is strong you might consider a cantilever bridge fixed at one end only. An adhesive cantilever requires very little drilling of the supporting tooth which minimizes the future risk.

A dental implant is also often a good option if the potential supporting teeth are either so perfect you don’t want to drill them or dubious long term weak teeth.

The TMJ affects the clinical decision; I would need to see you to be more specific (A quick look and chat are free)

I hope this helps

Dr Rob Tennet BDS
St Johns Dental Practice
Birmingham
0121 643 0610

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Tags: crown, root canal

This post was published on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 8:00 pmand is filed under Dr Tennet's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. General dentistry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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