I Needed a Root Canal but Ignored the Fact. I Am on my 2nd Week of Invisalign and my Tooth Hurts. Should I Wait a Whole Year?

Question

6 months ago my Dentist suggested I had a cavity that needed to be removed but could possibly lead to a root canal. I was in no pain so I decided to wait. A few weeks ago, I went to a different Dental office for Invisalign. I am now on my 2nd week of tray 1 but in pain (occasionally). I am on tray 1 out of 34 :/ If I wait a whole year would I cause more damage? Would I mess up the aligners and/or Invisalign procedure if I get my root canal?

Svetlana Novak, DMD · Answer

You NEED to address the root canal, pain will only increase. Get the root canal ASAP. This treatment trumps invisalign.

Robert Penning, DMD · Answer

You should absolutely take care of the infection with a root canal if that is what was recommended. The gum or bone or root of the tooth might have permanent damage if left for a long time such as you suggested. Be sure the person doing the filling over the root canal knows you are wearing the trays and show it to the dentist at the beginning of your appointment. Besides, why have a sore tooth for a year? Good luck - hope this helps.

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

Dental work including root canals need to be addressed before orthodontics including Invisalign, but since you have already started with Invisalign, you should address the root canal situation right away.  Your Invisalign doctor should be aware of this and work with you to resolve the issue.  If you were my patient, I would keep you in your first aligner until the root canal is completed.  You may have some positive news in that when the RCT is completed the tooth anatomy may not be altered.  Major work such as crowns need to be avoided during Invisalign treatment as the aligners may not fit after a crown is made.  Once your RCT is completed, you should be able to continue with the remaining aligners and finish the treatment as originally designed.

Daniel B. Strader, DDS · Answer

It is best by far to have all necessary dental restorations done before starting Invisalign, otherwise the Aligners might not fit after new restorations.  But should you delay the root canal?  No!  Infection from the tooth can move to your heart or brain.  Rough-Rider/President Teddy Roosevelt died from infection spread from an abscessed tooth.  After the root canal, if it is in fact needed, the tooth can be restored with composite using one of the Aligners as a mold for the new restoration so that the Invisalign treatment can be continued.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

Any decay that is severe enough to endanger the pulp of a tooth and possibly result in the need for root canal treatment is something that should be dealt with ASAP.  The second dentist should never have started your Invisalign treatment without having you resolve this issue!  You need to get this checked out NOW

I Needed a Root Canal but Ignored the Fact. I Am on my 2nd Week of Invisalign and my Tooth Hurts. Should I Wait a Whole Year?

Answers (6)

Answer: Should A Root Canal Be Done During Invisalign?

Answer: Should A Root Canal Be Done During Invisalign?

Answer: Decay and root canals and invisalign

Answer: Decay and root canals and invisalign

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I Needed a Root Canal but Ignored the Fact. I Am on my 2nd Week of Invisalign and my Tooth Hurts. Should I Wait a Whole Year?

Answers (6)

Answer: Should A Root Canal Be Done During Invisalign?

Answer: Should A Root Canal Be Done During Invisalign?

Answer: Decay and root canals and invisalign

Answer: Decay and root canals and invisalign

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.