HomeAnswersDentistryroot canal treatmentShould I get my cavity filled or my tooth extracted if the tooth infection has not reached the pulp?

Is root canal required if the cavity has not reached the pulp?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At January 16, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 18, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I need another opinion for my tooth X-ray. The first doctor I went to told me I needed a root canal, but from what I saw on my X-ray, the cavity had not yet reached the pulp of my tooth. May I ask what I should do about it? Should I get the tooth extracted or get the tooth filled?

Answered by Dr. Sagnik Biswas

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

As a dentist, we always try to preserve the natural tooth structure because no artificial structure can provide you with the same comfort and feel as the natural one. So, we not only do RCT (root canal treatment) when the carious lesion reaches the pulp chamber but tend to advice RCT when the carious lesion is very near the pulp chamber as well, which is evident in your case. Suppose caries reaches the pulp chamber, which, in my opinion, will surely reach there in no time in your case. In that case, it will cause severe pain, the formation of an abscess under the root, swelling of the gingiva, and, if worse, a peri-apical cyst or, in rare situations, a space infection. That is why your dentist has advised you an RCT.

I would suggest you go with the RCT as well, and as you are young, please do not go for extraction. Extraction would create an unnecessary gap between dentition, and the teeth at the distal end of this tooth would attempt to move forward. Going for a bridge after extraction will lead to unnecessary loss of tooth structure for two other teeth as well. A removable denture would not be a good option for you at this age, and the cost of an implant is high, and the placement of an implant depends upon the bone morphology. If you try to fill the tooth, it will lead to exposure of the pulp chamber, as the carious lesion is very close to the pulp chamber.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagnik Biswas
Dr. Sagnik Biswas

Dentistry

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Dentistry

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy