how do they assess if a nerve has died - Dental Health Message Board

elenar · 07-26-2005, 03:20 PM

What tests are performed to assess if the nerve has died. Is it one test or a combination of tests.

Would I experience any symptoms or would my tooth die without me feeling anything

CARAT414 · 07-26-2005, 03:59 PM

I know that they can tell from an xray. Or at least on my son they could.

My son fell off his skateboard when he was 10, broke off part of his front tooth. They did a vaneer bonding on it and about three months later it started to change colors. The dentist ended up having to do a root canal and then placing a crown on it. The nerve had died and caused decay and the discoloration. My son never complained of it having any pain from the dying of the nerve. His lip and chin that was cut up pretty bad was his only complaint.

Hoped that helped some.
Casey

mike21a2 · 07-26-2005, 09:51 PM

Another way that dentists test the nerve of a tooth is by applying hot or cold sensation to it and seeing how sensitive the tooth is to that stimulation.

Luxuria · 07-27-2005, 05:05 PM

Tooth nerves can die without you knowing. My dentist is rather funny and said to me when I was told that I needed a root canal (just had it done last month) that they can go peacefully (like mine did) or go out with a big bang! I'm glad mine decided to go quietly. I only had a very small cavity and no pain at all but it reached the nerve and I had a root canal done. So it is possible for the root to die without any warning sign.