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I had a root canal done 3 years ago but it recently became infected and I had to go on antibiotics. My dentist has told me I have an abscess and need a second root canal and crown. Would I need an anaesthetic on this tooth as I assumed I would have little to no sensation or feeling after the original canal treatment?
Did you ask your dentist? Local anesthesia is still probably needed for the gums around the tooth when they attach a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth.
You will definitely need anesthetic for this second root canal. While the nerve has been removed from the tooth, the reason that it's infected and doesn't hurt, the bone surrounding the tooth is very much alive. Changes in pressure from files used to clean out the tooth, extruding of material out of the small opening at end of tooth into bone (apex), and heat transfer (the material used to seal canal is heated) to surrounding bone can all be painful to the bone.
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