A root canal on wisdom tooth- Is it possible?

Root canal treatment, popularly known as RCT, is a routine dental procedure that removes infected nerves and blood vessels from the teeth. Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last molars to erupt in the mouth at around 18-24 yrs. But do you think RCT is possible on a third molar? The short answer to this is yes, it is possible but there are a few things that must be brought into consideration before proceeding further with the root canal treatment. In the information provided below, we will briefly discuss the factors that determine the feasibility of a root canal procedure in third molars.

Factors affecting a root canal on wisdom tooth

Anatomy of tooth

In the clinical examination and the radiographic analysis of the wisdom teeth, it should be clear to the clinician how a successful root canal treatment can occur in this case. If there is insufficient mouth opening then root canal treatment might become difficult. If the tooth is tilted or partially inside the bone then also there are high chances of failure. It is thus best to get your complete examination done by our experts at Bangalore Dental Specialists to know your eligibility.

Tooth morphology

The shape and size of the third molar can be very different from other molars in the mouth. We might encounter extra roots or fused roots in some wisdom teeth. The root canal morphology also shows a great degree of variation, and these distinct root canal morphologies play an important role in deciding the prognosis of RCT in wisdom teeth

Antagonist Tooth

The tooth in the opposite arch on which a particular tooth bites is known as an antagonist tooth. If a person has both upper and lower wisdom teeth, then it is a good choice to save the tooth with the help of root canal treatment. If the antagonist tooth is missing or planned for extraction then there is no use of saving the other teeth. 

Suitable for Crown

After the root canal procedure is completed, giving a crown, especially to the molars, is essential for extra strength. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth are very short and have excessive soft tissue, making dental crown placement difficult. The life of the tooth may get compromised due to the lack of dental crown placement.

Proximity to nerves

The tips of the roots of lower wisdom teeth are sometimes very near to the inferior alveolar nerve. If the nerves get damaged, there is a chance of a long-lasting numbness or other complications in the mouth. In such cases extraction is not preferred and RCT is done if all other factors are suitable.

The bottom line – Is root canal on wisdom tooth possible?

The conclusion of this discussion is that root canal treatment is possible in wisdom teeth. However, certain factors should be kept in mind before proceeding further. To determine your eligibility, it is in your best interest to get your comprehensive examination done with our experts at Bangalore Dental Specialists. Our team will review your case clinically and radiologically before customizing a treatment plan.