Root Canals: Reduce Visits, Save Teeth

Return Visits, Dentist Redos: Why Do Root Canals Fail?

Listen: Of all the canals, the fourth one found in some molars is missed most often.

Dr. Klym talks about how dental magnification is essential.

While most root canal treatments last many years, Dr. Klym’s diagnostic strategies, straightforward recommendations, and clinical expertise significantly reduces odds of ‘these other’ failures...

• Fracturing increases considerably when root canal treated back (posterior) teeth get no cuspal protection from a crown. (Cuspal: where the teeth come together during biting)
• Root canals fail when a dentist does not find, clean and fill all of the root canals within a tooth.
• The filling solution might not go deeply enough into the canal, or not fill the canal as much as needed.
• Unusually shaped canals might make it unfeasible to totally fill, leaving some infected material in the canal.
• A tooth root may be pierced during a root canal procedure, making it hard to completely fill the tooth.
• Failure to find the 4th canal in top molars (most teeth have 3 – these molars have a 50% chance of having 4)
• The fourth canal (or mesio-buccal) can be difficult to find, requires specialized instruments and magnification, which Dr. Klym has available and employs to achieve exceptional precision. When missed, the infected tooth canal may re-infect or flare up.
• NOTE: Any tooth canal can be missed while performing the root canal. That is why the Dr. Klym employs the latest technology like the Kodak 90003D scanner and other instrumentation to get it right the first time.

What Happens When Tooth Is Pulled Rather Than Root Canal Performed?

Dr. Klym has considerable training and experience in implants, sedation, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, endodontics:

Listen: A general dentist explains the value of a comprehensive background (a golfing analogy).

• The whole bite scheme will change (for the worse) if nothing is done
• Teeth above and around it will move
• In about six months teeth will start shifting
• To get bite back where it was previously requires orthodontic work (costs rise)
• Bone loss occurs (about one year 60% of bone has deteriorated that used to support the tooth) o Listen: Dr. Klym explains what is needed after bone loss.
• To replace bone is much more costly than a root canal
• Using a dental bridge to replace an extracted tooth can create the need for a root canal for one or both adjacent teeth used for bridge support – when those teeth could have remained healthy a very long time or indefinitely.
• Often gum surgery is needed with crowns and bridges

Listen: Dr. Klym explains when does a root canal make sense and when does it not.

Dr. Klym says, “If I don't think the crown and bridge will last you five years, I don’t recommend them. An implant makes much more sense, since it is considered a 30-year prosthesis if done properly. Of course, root canal therapy is going to be the best plan because it saves the natural tooth. Original equipment – natural dental work – or as much as we can preserve as possible – is always better than new equipment.”