My husband had a toothache. He nursed it along for a bit then it blew up. He went to the emergency dentist who gave him a root canal. A few months later, I get a toothache. I nurse it along figuring I’d need a root canal anyway so why waste time now. It blew up on me. I went to the emergency dentist. He did a crown, but no root canal. Which one of us got the wrong treatment?

Abby N. – Indiana

Abby,

It is not a necessity that the emergency dentist gave either of you the wrong treatment. Each tooth infection is a little different. A root canal isn’t necessary unless the decay reaches the center of the tooth or is so close to the nerve that it causes the nerve to send distress signals, which comes in the form of pain or discomfort. They may also be done if the tooth is infected or dead.

It’s possible that in your husband’s case it was necessary, but in yours it wasn’t. Bear in mind, it’s not a good idea to let a toothache limp along. They blow up quickly. Even in 2017, people die from tooth infections that were left too long.

Another reason to not avoid treatment is cost and comfort. The sooner something is dealt with, the easier the treatment, which in turn also means a lower cost. I noticed that both you and your husband only go to an emergency dentist. If you’re fond of this dentist, you could make him your official dentist. With regular check-ups and cleanings, you’re likely to avoid emergency situations.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.