U.S. doctors online nowAsk doctors free
AZ
A 64-year-old female asked:

Endodontist says i don't need a root canal, dentist says i do. i have pain and sensitivity to cold on tooth. now what do i do.

5 doctor answers8 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Francis
Periodontics 32 years experience
Check: Sometimes a tooth will become cold-sensitive when it is hitting too hard in your bite. Have your dds check the way you bite. Does the involved tooth seem like it is too high?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Paul Grin
Pain Management 38 years experience
Second opinion: It's apparent that you have a complex dental condition. Getting a second opinion on an endodontic problem is sometimes the most important decision a person can make. This can allow the peace of mind before committing to a lengthy and often expensive or unnecessary treatment. Remember: root canal therapy is irreversible procedure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Tarek Hamid
Dentistry 11 years experience
Get a third opinion : Usually in that case it should be by a more experienced Endodontist , and based on that you should either change your dentist or your endodontist :).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Daniel Rubenstein
Dentistry 53 years experience
Pain to cold: Pain and sensitivity to cold is often a symptom of a fractured filling, a fractured tooth, bruxism (chronic teeth grinding and/or clenching), gum recession, cervical abfractions (deep grooves in the tooth at the gumline). Of these, only a fractured tooth would normally require a root canal. If the endodontist says no and your dentist has no solution, you should get second opinion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Gary Sandler
Dentistry 56 years experience
Different opinions: More details that are not in your question are important such as: Who saw you first and what was the time span between visits? Is the pain getting worse, better or the same? What is the intensity and duration of the pain? Often, the answer as to whether or not RCT is necessary is not 100% apparent. Waiting it out, when all else seems Ok will help determine the need. If you can't wait, do the RCT.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated May 17, 2014

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.