Kingstone Chichung Shih, DDS

It is not unusual to have cracks on the surface of your teeth. It is the depth of the cracks that determine what if anything needs to be done about them. If the crack is limited to only the enamel of the tooth, usually no treatment is necessary, unless for cosmetic purposes. If the crack extends past the enamel, into the secondary dentin layer of the tooth, there may be symptoms such as sensitivity to pressure or temperature. In this situation, a crown or filling may be necessary, as long as the nerve inside the tooth has not been permanently damaged. If the crack is deep and penetrates all the way into the nerve of the tooth, a root canal may be necessary prior to placing a crown. Finally, it is possible to have a crack that is so deep or long that the overall structure of the tooth has been negatively compromised, and the tooth would need to be extracted. In your case, you say that the cracks are noticeable and since they bother you, one option would be to place a filling, veneer or crown on the tooth with the crack. You should visit a dentist, who can take an X-ray and perform pulp testing and a thorough examination of your tooth, and then to explain to you all of your options.   

The quickest way to get out of pain is to visit your dentist as soon as possible, so he or she can figure out the problem and recommend the best course of action, whether it be a filling, crown, root canal, a crown, an extraction, or any combination of the above. That can only be determined after a thorough clinical examination and current xrays. In the meantime, the most effective way to control the pain is to take pain medication, to avoid chewing on the tooth in question, and to keep it as clean as possible.

A second root canal on the same tooth is called a retreatment. A retreatment in itself is not necessarily a problem, but what is more important is the reason the tooth needs to be retreated, whether the issue has been resolved by the retreatment, and the overall condition of the tooth in question. Without more information, it is not possible to determine whether a retreatment on your tooth can or will lead to a problem. You should visit an endodontist to have the tooth in question evaluated to determine the best course of treatment.

It depends on how deep the cavities are in your teeth. If there is sufficient healthy tooth structure remaining after your dentist removes the decay, you should be able to save the tooth. However, if there is not enough structure remaining, it may need to be pulled. You should make an appointment with your dentist, so he or she can perform a detailed examination and take xrays, before deciding if the tooth can be saved.

Signs of a failed root canal may include, but are not limited too, pain to chewing, sensitivity to temperature, pain and/or swelling in the gum or jawbone adjacent to the tooth in question.  Sometimes the tooth is asymptomatic, and the evidence for the failed root canal is visible only on an xray.  A definitive diagnosis of a failed root canal can only be determined by a qualified dentist or endodontist after a thorough clinical exam, intraoral testing, and a review of current xrays of the tooth in question. 

It is possible that the infection is spreading, but a more likely explanation is either referred pain coming from the back tooth, or there is a separate, independent issue with that tooth. I can't determine that just from the information you provide. You should visit an endodontist to take X-rays and pulp testing on the teeth in question.

There is not enough information to determine whether this is normal or if there is something wrong with your root canal. In general, it is possible for the tooth to feel a little achy or tender for 6-12 months after a root canal. Sometimes there is little to no discomfort immediately after the procedure. On the other hand, there could be some reason causing your symptoms, and it is impossible to speculate what it could be without more information. You should contact the dentist who did the root canal and asked to have it checked.

More information regarding the specific tooth in question is needed in order to give an accurate estimate of the success rate. Basically, the better the condition of the tooth and it's surrounding bone and soft tissue, the better the prognosis. In other words, if there remaining tooth structure is compromised, or if the gums and/or bone around the tooth are not healthy, an apicoectomy may not be enough to solve the problem. However, if there is plenty of healthy tooth structure remaining and the periodontal support for the tooth is good, an apicoectomy should have a good prognosis. An implant is an alternative to saving your natural tooth, and is sometimes a good and the better option. However, generally speaking, it is better to try and save the natural tooth if at all possible, so the implant should really be a last resort when the natural tooth is not salvageable.

The main risk of endodontic surgery is that it may not be successful every time. However, there are other secondary risks that you should be aware of. There is the possibility of infection, pain, excessive bleeding, paresthesia (temporary or semi-permanent nerve damage), gum recession, bone loss, scarring of the soft tissue, etc. The chances of any of the above happening are small, but you should be aware that there is a small possibility of these risks, as is the case with any procedure.

Without more information and a clinical exam, it is impossible to determine for sure. It depends on how big the chip is. If it's really small, it might just need to be shaped and smoothed off. If a medium amount chipped off, it will probably need to be bonded with some composite resin. If a large amount chipped off, it may need a veneer or a crown. And finally, if it chipped off close to or into the nerve of the tooth, it may need a root canal, then a crown.

An endodontic retreatment is done on a tooth that already has a previous root canal. First, your mom will be anesthesized locally, a rubber dam will be placed over her tooth, then the old filling material will be removed, the canal re-cleansed and shaped, and refilled. This procedure should be done only by an endodontist.

All dentists are trained to do root canals in regular dental school, and general dentists can and are qualified to do them. An endodontist is a dentist that has gone to school for an additional 2-3 years to study the biology and mechanical techniques of root canal and related procedures, and are more qualified to perform root canals that might be more challenging.

Root canal procedures have about a 90% success rate and can last many years. However, many factors determine whether a root canal will need to be retreated in the future. First of all, the root canal itself should be done properly to aid in a successful result. Secondly, the tooth must be sealed and properly restored after the root canal. And finally, the patient has to take responsibility for taking good care of the tooth after the root canal and permanent restoration. If all three of these factors are positive, then there is a high chance that your root canal will last for many years.

You should get your teeth cleaned and also checked by your dentist at least twice per year.

Pain that soon after a tooth extraction is not necessarily abnormal. Bleeding depends on the level of bleeding. If it is just a gradual oozing of blood light bleeding, that is relatively normal and you should be able to control it by applying direct pressure to the extraction site with some sterile gauze. If it is a active flow of blood that cannot be stopped, you should contact the doctor who extracted your tooth immediately and ask for advice. If you are unable to reach your doctor, you should visit an emergency room.

It depends on how deep the crack is. If it is shallow or just on the surface, infection is unlikely to be an issue. However, if it is deep, it is possible that bacteria and other contaminants can infiltrate down through the crack and eventually lead to an infection