Incisors are the teeth at the front of the mouth you use for cutting food. And, like all teeth, incisors can suffer tooth infections that eventually lead to dental abscesses. This is when a root canal becomes necessary. But there are some differences between root canals on incisors (front teeth) and root canals on molars (back teeth). If you have an upcoming root canal for one of your incisors, your treatment will differ from a molar root canal in the following ways.

Incisors only have one canal while molars have two or more

The biggest difference between molars and incisors in regards to root canals is that molars usually have two or more canals while incisors have one. And the canals of molars are sometimes difficult to access. This means that although all root canals are intricate procedures, no matter the tooth, incisors are often easier to perform root canals on than molars. In addition, while the root canals of incisors are usually straight, the root canals of molars sometimes curve. This can make removing the dental pulp from a molar difficult if one or more roots are curved.

Incisors offer easier access than molars do

Because of the anatomy of the human mouth, incisors are clearly easier to reach. This is useful if a patient usually has trouble opening their mouth wide enough during dental treatment. Because the incisors are at the front of the mouth, your dentist can access the tooth more easily.

Root canals are performed through the back of incisors

When an endodontist performs a root canal on a molar, they access the tooth through the biting surface. Because the biting surface of molars is large, the endodontist can easily drill an access hole to perform the root canal. However, since the biting surface of incisors is so small, endodontists access them via the backs of the teeth, using a drill.

Incisors may not need crowns after root canal surgery

Molars come under a lot of pressure because they do much of the heavy chewing while you eat. And once a tooth has died and has had a root canal, that tooth gradually weakens over time. Thus, a crown is necessary for molars to ensure they are durable enough to cope with chewing. Incisors only cut food; they don't do much heavy chewing. This means a crown might not be necessary for them.

Root canals on incisors are usually simpler than root canals on molars. And if you suspect that an incisor is infected, see your dentist as soon as possible. With early treatment, you can remove the infection and keep your smile intact. Visit a dental clinic like Laveen Smiles to learn more.