I've had a dead tooth since I was a teenager. DDS recommended root canal. Is it really necessary?

By the time you can see a cavity, it could be quite large. The surface of the cavity is usually much smaller and it spreads to the inside of the tooth. This is why people have root canals.  The tooth does not hurt until the cavity reaches the nerve. Sometimes it will not hurt at all and then t...

I suggest immediately seeing an oral surgeon in order to evaluate for sinus exposure. The oral surgeon should be able to easily correct if sinus exposure is an issue. Furthermore, the root should be removed to avoid any problems that may arise down the road.

Fractured teeth with only their root left in the gingiva can cause a number of problems. Specifically root canal treated teeth can be deceptively painless initially but you must keep in mind that the root left behind is essentially now a remnant of dead tissue that is not even serving a function...