“Is it OK to postpone a root canal after 1st treatment?”
One of my tooth fillings fell out several months ago. I had some mild pain in that tooth, so I went to the dentist a week ago. He said a root canal was needed. He did some preparatory work for it. He cleaned out the infection, put in some medication, built up a wall for the crown, temporarily closed up the tooth. The nerve is still there. The actual root canal was scheduled for this coming Monday, 3 days from now.
Meanwhile, a record-beating covid surge has developed here, in New York City. I’ve read that the severity of the symptoms partly depends on the amount of exposure. I can’t imagine anything that gives more exposure to covid than a lengthy dental procedure. I’ll be without a mask. Two people, a dentist, and an assistant will be digging around in my mouth for hours. These people have been digging around other people’s mouths for 8 hours a day.
I’ve had 3 vaccine doses, but Omicron seems to be good at evading vaccine protection. My question is this: is it OK to postpone the root canal procedure for a month or more? Will such a postponement screw up my tooth? What would you advise?
Meanwhile, a record-beating covid surge has developed here, in New York City. I’ve read that the severity of the symptoms partly depends on the amount of exposure. I can’t imagine anything that gives more exposure to covid than a lengthy dental procedure. I’ll be without a mask. Two people, a dentist, and an assistant will be digging around in my mouth for hours. These people have been digging around other people’s mouths for 8 hours a day.
I’ve had 3 vaccine doses, but Omicron seems to be good at evading vaccine protection. My question is this: is it OK to postpone the root canal procedure for a month or more? Will such a postponement screw up my tooth? What would you advise?
Male | 46 years old
5 Answers
If your dentist has proper Covid-19 protocols set up in his office, it should be fine to go ahead with the root canal at the next scheduled appointment. Your dentist and his staff should all be wearing masks, face shields, and other PPE, which protects both them and you from the spread of the virus. However, if you feel more comfortable postponing the treatment a month, that should be fine, although it's hard to predict whether the tooth may start acting up in its temporary state. In that respect, it might be better to finish the root canal sooner rather than later. So, it's a catch-22.
If you postpone it for only a month, that should be fine. But since the treatment was only started, there remains a portion of the pulp contents that will continue to die off and, ultimately, produce pus, pressure and pain. Often, the start of the treatment involves putting in medication to kill off infected tissue and calm things down until the treatment can be completed comfortably. The longer you wait, the better chance that you will have serious consequences and possibly lose the tooth.
Regarding your Covid concerns, you should discuss that with your dentist. If the office is taking the necessary precautions with hard surface disinfection, air purification, proper use of PPE and the normal safeguards for infection control, you should not have a worry. In that respect, they are just as afraid of catching something from their patients. I have not read of any doctor/patient Covid transmission since reopening after the shutdown. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened or that it can't, but the odds are extremely low if everything is done right. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Talk to your dentist, express your concerns, and make that decision based on facts, not fear, and on what is best for your overall health.
Dr. Michael Conrad
Regarding your Covid concerns, you should discuss that with your dentist. If the office is taking the necessary precautions with hard surface disinfection, air purification, proper use of PPE and the normal safeguards for infection control, you should not have a worry. In that respect, they are just as afraid of catching something from their patients. I have not read of any doctor/patient Covid transmission since reopening after the shutdown. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened or that it can't, but the odds are extremely low if everything is done right. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Talk to your dentist, express your concerns, and make that decision based on facts, not fear, and on what is best for your overall health.
Dr. Michael Conrad
There is definitely a potential risk of deferring the treatment. The infection can become worse making it more difficult for the tooth to ever heal. All the dental team members should be wearing Personal Protective Equipment. That protects you from them, as well as the reverse. I recommend having the treatment completed (barring serious medical comorbidities).
Most times you have 30 days after the initial start. Temporary fillings last best at no longer than 30 days. If it were me I would not prolong it, it may change presentation. As far as CoVid is concerned, the dental office is the cleaned place you can be. We have higher standards than most operation rooms at hospitals. Wear a mask, wash your hands. Its that simple. The mask should be clean and appropriate, like a medical mask. I understand you concerns. Its really up to you and what you feel is best. Theres a small chance of getting CoVid if you follow simple easy guidelines. And the treatment will spare you later pain and changes. But again follow your gut.
C Jensen DDS, MD
C Jensen DDS, MD
If you don’t feel safe getting treatment done at this time talk to your dentist. Usually postponing a root canal for a short period of time is ok especially if the tooth has not been bothering you. However dentists have always followed very strict infection control processes and the risk of getting sick at the dental office is extremely low.
