Hi PriME,

The tooth numbering system may be different in Canada.

I can tell you without any hesitation that all root canaled teeth become chronically infected and that is due to the anatomy of the tooth and having no access to the tiny canals to remove the nerve tissue. It is also due to the fact that all teeth require blood as nutrition in order to remain healthy. During the rc procedure, the blood vessel that feeds the tooth is severed meaning the tooth is no longer fed nutrition. This process progresses into necrosis and ischemia in the surrounding bone and tissue of the tooth.,.... and beyond.

Healthy teeth that have been root canaled, meaning those that were traumatized but treated immediately with a rc procedure may have a longer "retainment" in the bone than those teeth that are already infected prior to the rc procedure. The reason being is due to the lack of pathology at the time of the root canal. However, as with all root canaled teeth, the necrosis will occur as I have explained above.

In the case of your dentist who had a hockey accident as a child and received several root canals... he may very well still have some of those teeth at this time. This is due in part to the fact that he was a child, the tooth may not have been fully formed yet AND there was no infection prior to the rc's. However, I would venture to say he has had those teeth re treated and/or had apicoectomies done. Neither of which "cure" the bacteria that is now residing inside those tiny canals.

Some people who have very healthy immune systems, no chronic health conditions, no chronic stress, eat very wholesomely and have impeccable dental health may "retain" their rc teeth without obvious symptoms longer than those in a different category. But the end result is unfortunately the same.... the teeth are what they are and there is no procedure to "cure" the problem.

Bryanna