How long did your root canal on a tooth in the front last without a crown?

[PinkLemon5]

I've been going down a rabbit hole scaring myself because I had to get my very first root canal in a tooth in the front. Not the central incisor but two teeth away from it. Still one root.

It was my Invisalign braces who killed it (has this happened to anyone else btw?) which has made me really depressed because I don't even know how or why it happened because apparently that's incredibly rare!

I'm scared of the root canal not holding up for long. I'm in my 30s and if I imagine that I will live to 80-100 like my older relatives that means the root canal has to hold up for at least 50+ years!

I'm curious how long it may hold up without a crown (there's no other damage to the tooth structure, it was just the pulp that was inflamed), and also without having to get an implant...

What has your experiences been, and has it discolored? I did get internal bleaching but I know it doesn't last forever. The tooth wasn't too gray before the bleaching though.

There's also a lot of fear mongering regarding root canals online but I don't know if it's only in America that people complain about them? For those that don't understand what I'm talking about: people are saying root canals cause systemic disease and that they always carry some form of bacteria, and many people are reporting that their health problems disappeared after they extracted that tooth. Have they caused any health problems for you guys?

Dentist here! Root canals actually have quite a good success rate granted they have been done well. The benchmark is 10-15 years but I have seen them last a lifetime if you keep up with good oral hygiene and checkups to prevent bacteria from getting in. I will say crowns normally allow them to last longer because they strengthen the tooth structure but as your tooth is right at the front that's not too much of a worry because it doesn't experience biting forces.
The internal bleaching will last about 7 years maybe so I do think you may have to top that up as root canals can tend to discolour teeth - not by a large degree but if its at the front and has a direct comparison with the next tooth over it's a little more obvious.
And as for the last point, please pay it no heed. It's paired alongside theories like fluoride giving you autism and silver fillings controlling your brain. Root canals can only introduce bacteria if the person doing it is not in a sterile environment, is an awful dentist and working with dirty equipment - there is literally 3 steps between every step where you clean out the canal and make sure it's free from bacteria, that's the whole point of doing a root canal.

I lost two front teeth as a very young teen. One ended up crowned as fall broke that one - other has a front veneer - I'm nearing 50. Gums at top have receeded a bit - dentist remarked on it recently.

I also have milk teeth still - gentics meaning I missed two adult teeth - and was told they'd be gone by now - which worried me for years till I spoke to a dentist who said if they did go they a small bridge would be fine to put in not false teeth.

So not 50 years yet but many.

No health issues at all.

21 years and still counting, with no crown yet. I'm generally good at brushing my teeth and flossing, but not perfect. You'll be good

My canine root canal is still going strong 30 years later.

I had root canal in my front right big tooth. The proper front one. Like you, had internal bleaching as it had gone grey. The internal bleaching went well it was nice and white again. I ended up getting nhs veneers for another issue anyway though but up until then it lasted fine!

Thank you so much for your input. Do you think bacteria can come into the canal again when they put in and take out the internal bleaching? I felt stupid to ask at the appointment.

As a dentist, do you know why a tooth would develop pulpitis during orthodontic treatment? Honestly, I didn't get much answers from my orthodontist. She said the tooth had not had much movement yet so it could be clenching, an earlier trauma, whatever. She just shrugged. I also wore elastics on said tooth nighttime. It feels like the tooth must've been very weak though if it hadn't moved much but still got inflamed. It seems like my symtoms were reversible pulpitis at first. When I drank water the pain shot up all the way to my eye but it only lasted for seconds and did not happen every time I drank, and only within the first 3 days of a new tray. So since I hadn't had that nerve sensitivity the rest of the tray I thought I was in the clear until I popped in the next tray and it started hurting like hell due to the tightness, then that nerve pain eventually came back at some point, but more frequently when drinking water. I'm mad at myself for pushing through it a few days before switching back because I definitely think that's what made the inflammation irreversible and later killed it :(

Thank you for sharing! Nice to hear that it has held up for so long (and not caused any health issues!)

That's good. I'm also good at brushing and flossing but my enamel seems to be quite weak...

That's amazing to hear since mine is in fact also a canine.

How long ago is it that you had the root canal?

I’ve no idea but I’ve recently had a root canal on a molar and my dentist says there’s not enough tooth left to put a crown on it. And to leave it as it is. I’m really worried and upset.

I had a root canal when I was in my early 20s in a tooth about 3 from the back. My dentist put a filling in it which lasted maybe 7-8 years, then I had it crowned. I'm now 70 and I have never had any problems with it whatever.

Wow, that's a really long time! I'm assuming you also haven't experienced any health problems from it either then since it doesn't seem to have become reinfected?

No, absolutely nothing. Please don't go down internet rabbit holes about it, as the dentist said above there is a lot of nonsense talked.

It was so much simpler when I had it done 50 years ago, there was no internet to fill me with horror stories and I never really gave it much thought. My dentist said it needed doing, he fixed it, it was all fine.

Yes, life before internet and fear-mongering was a bit easier indeed...

Thanks again for the reassurance!

I have root canals 45 years old. Around 15 and counting root canals, with and without crowns and some in front teeth and some further back.
I’m also ancient.
I confess to also being the slob who occasionally forgets to brush before bed, eats fruit without chopping it into bite size pieces, never flosses and tends to use my mouth as a spare hand for keys etc.
I’m also sporty and regularly clock myself in the face with balls, bats, walls, dogs and floors.
A skilled, patient dentist appears to be my common denominator in longevity of root canals - because I seem to go out of my way to destroy my teeth or they have a death wishes.

Had left tooth next to front teeth done (root canal) in 2011. Never had a day’s problem with it since.

people are saying root canals cause systemic disease and that they always carry some form of bacteria, and many people are reporting that their health problems disappeared after they extracted that tooth.

Cranks!

Hope I'm not going to jinx myself but my incisor was root filled ... 38 years ago! It did discolour so I have a veneer on it.

And money in an S&S ISA should I ever need an implant.

Chill, OP, it's just an expensive filling you've had.

Yeah I guess I have to see it as just another filling.
38 years sounds great. Hope it will last even longer

So no crown either?

Haha, sounds like you've been through a lot. And you're still in good health despite all this overall? And do you find that the ones without crowns are gray/discolored or much weaker?

Mine was going nearly/roughly 30 years only needed redoing with injury to the tooth near it created a new infection.

I was actually then able to have it redone privately by a root canal specialist.

No crown (on that tooth) at any point. Not needed

When i was 14 or 15 I had a fall cross country (eventing - horses) broke my fall on the fence with my mouth - had one front tooth root canal-ed. No crown. I’m 50 now it has discoloured slightly but no other issues so far.

Three front teeth damaged by a fall whilst I was out jogging eight years ago. Two of which both needed root canals. Both still ok, no discolouration and no other issues arising from it. And I’ve not had them crowned yet either.

Ouch. I'm sorry that happened. But glad your teeth have been holding up well since then.