[Health Column] Maxillary Molar Pain: Is Extraction Always Necessary? The Process of Root Canal Treatment and Crown Prosthetics to Save Natural Teeth

 

hello, Director Moon Hong-yeol of Seoul Barun Implant Dental Clinic no see.

 

If your molars hurt or cause discomfort when chewing, it's only natural to start worrying, "Do I need to get it extracted and get an implant?" 😥

 

However, rather than unconditionally pulling out teeth, First, check if my original teeth can be saved. Doing so is more important than anything else.

 

Today, the upper molar that was in severe pain due to cavities and pulp (tooth nerve) damage Root canal treatment and crown prosthetics Let's take a look at actual clinical cases where it was safely preserved.

 

🏥 I’m starting now with some helpful stories for those who want to keep their natural teeth for a long time. 💡

 

1️⃣ How is a treatment plan established when a patient visits due to upper molar pain? 🔍

We determine the direction of treatment by comprehensively considering the occlusion with surrounding teeth and the condition of the gum bone, rather than looking at a single tooth.

 

When you visited due to pain in your upper molar, examination results suggested tooth decay and pulp damage.

 

Implants are also an excellent alternative, but, If a natural tooth can be saved, conservative treatment should be the top priority. It is a principle to consider it as such.

 

We devised a plan to go beyond simply relieving pain, thoroughly clear the inflammation inside the tooth, reinforce the remaining tooth structure, and complete the procedure with a crown prosthesis.

 

 

🗣️ Actual Case
I visited because my molars hurt with a sharp, stinging pain when I drink cold water or chew food.

 

✔️ If you experience sudden molar pain, do not ignore it; visiting a dentist immediately for an X-ray is the first step to saving your natural tooth. 🩺

 

 

 

2️⃣ Why are the detailed examination and oral photos checked together? 📸

Precise diagnosis is possible because X-rays show internal inflammation and bone condition, while oral photographs show external fractures and food impaction.

 

During treatment, detailed cross-sectional radiographs and real photographs of the oral cavity are used together.

 

X-ray The robot identifies the inside of the tooth root, the height of the alveolar bone, and the extent of pulp damage, and Oral photographs It accurately diagnoses the condition by visually combining the state of the gum margin, the space for the prosthesis, and the pattern of tooth fracture.

 

🗣️ X-rays confirm the condition has progressed deep into the bone, and an oral camera compares the fracture of the existing prosthesis and the condition of the gum swelling at a glance.

 

✔️ A comprehensive analysis of the tooth's internal condition, which is not visible from the outside, is necessary to accurately determine whether extraction is required. 💡

 

3️⃣ From root canal treatment to crown prosthesis, how does the process proceed? 🛠️

We thoroughly remove the infected nerve to clear internal inflammation and firmly cover it with a crown to restore chewing function.

 

Treatment is broadly divided into three stages.

 

🔸 Step 1 · Before Root Canal Treatment
Identify the cause of infection and pain.

 

🔸 Step 2 · After root canal treatment
We clean up the inflammation inside the tooth root and complete the filling.

 

🔸 Step 3 · Prosthetics completed
Restore chewing function with custom crown prosthetic restoration.

 

✔️ Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are prone to breakage because their nutrient supply has been cut off, so you must Protected by placing a crown prosthesis You must do this to use it for a long time. 🛡️

 

 

4️⃣ How do I check the success of the root canal treatment? 📊

After treatment, panoramic and oral photographs are used to re-examine the reduction in inflammation around the roots and the condition of the crown occlusion from various angles.

 

After the completion of treatment, take a panoramic X-ray and oral photographs to check whether the prosthesis is smoothly connected to the existing tooth-gum boundary and with the upper teeth Occlusal balance Check if this is sophisticated.

 

Regularly observing whether inflammation at the root tips has been properly resolved is also key to long-term maintenance.

 

🗣️ Actual Case
We carefully trim the teeth to ensure there is no foreign sensation when chewing after prosthetic treatment, and to check for any parts that catch on the gums when brushing or flossing.

 

✔️ Even after the prosthetic is completed, regular checkups are necessary to manage changes in occlusion and the gum line. Prevent secondary cavities You can do it. 🩺

 

 

5️⃣ How to care for natural teeth to maintain their shape for a long time after preservation treatment? 🪥

Neglecting dental prosthetics can lead to gum inflammation and secondary cavities, so the use of hygiene products and regular checkups are essential.

 

Even if prosthetic restoration is properly completed, if proper care is lacking, plaque can accumulate at the margins of the prosthesis, leading to gum inflammation or cavities at the margins.

 

You must actively use oral hygiene products to keep the area between your teeth and dental prosthetics clean and prevent foreign substances from getting stuck.

 

 

🔹 Interdental brushes & dental floss
Removal of fine plaque between prosthetics and teeth

 

🔹 Oral irrigator (water flower)
Precise cleaning of every nook and cranny of the gums

 

🔹 Regular dental checkups
Check bite and gum condition every 6 months to 1 year

 

✔️ Do not neglect care just because the pain has subsided; please visit the dentist regularly to check the condition of your prosthesis. ✨

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I use my tooth for the rest of my life after receiving root canal treatment?

 

A. Root canal treatment and crown restorations are excellent ways to save natural teeth, but if proper care is not taken after treatment, gum inflammation or secondary cavities may develop at the margins of the restoration, requiring retreatment. Thorough brushing and regular checkups determine the lifespan of the restoration.

 

Q2. Is it mandatory to get a crown after root canal treatment?

 

A. Yes, that is correct. Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment are cut off from moisture and nutrients, making them prone to breaking. To withstand strong chewing forces and prevent fracture, the entire tooth must be protected by encasing it in a sturdy crown.

 

Q3. If the pain in my molar is severe, do I have to have it extracted and get an implant?

 

A. That is not the case. Even if the pain is severe, it is advisable to first attempt root canal treatment and prosthetic restoration if there is a possibility of saving the natural tooth after evaluating the condition of the inside of the tooth and the gum bone through a precise examination.

 

🎯 Conclusion and Summary

🔹 Preserving natural teeth is the top priority.
Rather than blindly extracting teeth, we first check through a precise diagnosis whether your original teeth can be saved.

 

🔹 Root Canal Treatment & Crown Restoration
We thoroughly clear internal infections and place a sturdy prosthesis to restore the tooth's original function.

 

🔹 Continuous follow-up care
Using dental floss, interdental brushes, and water floss, along with regular checkups, are key to extending the lifespan of your natural teeth. 🪥

 

If you experience molar pain or a sharp, tingling discomfort, do not hesitate to consult thoroughly with a specialist to find the best way to protect your precious natural teeth. 💪✨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seoul Barun Implant Dental Clinic

Chief Director Moon Hong-yeol

Ministry of Health and Welfare Certified Specialist in Integrated Dentistry
Completed Master's program in Dentistry at Seoul National University
Adjunct Professor, Daegu Catholic University College of Medicine
Executive Director of the ICOI International Academy of Implantology
ICOI Mastership 2024 Cultural Director
Welfare Director of the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology
American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Certified
AAID Affiliate Fellow
ICOI Mastership
Regular member of the University of Pennsylvania Endo Research Society
Full member of the Advanced Orthodontic Classics Society
Invisalign Clear Aligner Clinical Research Society
Outstanding Regular Member of the Korean Dental Implant Society
Korea Mexico Active Member
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Prosthodontics
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Maxillofacial Implantology
Regular member of the Korean Society of Conservation Science
BDPG Active Member
Completed BDPG Won's Basic Course
Completed BDPG Advance Course
Former Manager of Orthodontics and Implants at Boston Dental Clinic