Root canal therapy may save damaged or infected teeth from extraction. Although it is often not the first treatment choice when there is a dental issue, it is necessary when other procedures would not be effective. There are several situations where patients may need this common dental treatment.
Undergoing a root canal has the potential to save a patient's tooth. During the procedure, dentists eliminate bacteria from the root canal and remove the infected or inflamed pulp. Following the removal, a dentist cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it.
Following the procedure, patients retain a natural-looking smile and may soon eat normal foods again without pain or discomfort. The tooth will no longer feel heat and cold sensitivity, and the crowns look similar to natural teeth. The following are among the most common reasons a patient may require a root canal.
Trauma to the tooth, such as chips or cracks, may allow bacteria to reach the tooth's pulp. Blunt trauma may be the culprit behind any fractures to the tooth, or decaying teeth may turn brittle and easy to crack. Trauma that causes inflammation to the pulp may require root canal therapy to prevent infection and save the tooth.
As an infection starts to kill a tooth, it may also begin to kill the gums. A red flag associated with dying gums is a darkening of the tissues. In addition, the gums may appear to be inflamed. While inflammation is often common when a patient brushes aggressively, inflammation from infection is painful to the touch and tends to remain swollen. Other signs of gum infection include receding gums, chronic bad breath, and pus discharge.
Infection may cause spontaneous, severe waves of pain that increase or decrease based on the patient's position. For example, pressure may build up when a patient lays down, interrupting sleep and causing severe pain when resting. Other noticeable signs of infection include bumps on the gums, known as fistulas. However, not all infections present with bumps.
Tooth infections may cause a pocket of pus or abscess to begin to form under the tooth. Even with antibiotics, the infection may always return if the patient does not undergo further treatment. Leaving an infected tooth untreated can have serious consequences. Along with spreading to the gums, it can also spread to other areas of the body, causing systemic infection.
Some patients undergo root canal treatment when a previous root canal fails. Often, failure occurs within the first few days, but sometimes the treatment fails years after the procedure. A failed root canal generally means that some of the decay was left behind. Some following instances that may result in a failed root canal include:
A tooth's canal system is complex. It may be narrowed, curved, and difficult to navigate during the procedure. If decay remains anywhere in the canal, it may spread and continue to damage the tooth. To treat a failed root canal, a dentist reopens the tooth and performs another root canal.
Before undergoing root canal therapy, patients often have questions.
Although some root canals fail, most are successful. Long-term success occurs more than 90% of the time.
Although an exam by a dentist is necessary to determine if a root canal is needed, there are some tell-tale signs. These include:
Extracting the infected tooth is an alternative to a root canal, but there are associated consequences. Leaving a gap in the mouth can cause neighboring teeth to shift, and the jawbone begins to lose density. It is recommended to replace the missing tooth, which may require invasive procedures and additional expenses.
Any time a tooth's pulp becomes inflamed or infected, a root canal may be one of the only options available to save a patient's natural tooth. Chipped teeth, infected gums and teeth, and failed root canals are the most common reasons to receive root canal therapy.
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