Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure used to treat teeth with signs of severe decay. According to studies, more than 15 million root canal treatments are performed each year, and more than 40.000 each day in the United States. Please read our article to learn about the various benefits of root canal therapy.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
An endodontist or a general dentist can perform root canal therapy. The goal of the treatment is usually to save a tooth that has progressed decay from extraction. The procedure involves:
- Removing the infected pulp from the chambers of a tooth
- Cleaning the canals
- Filling the canals with a biocompatible dental material
Sealing the tooth canals prevents reinfection of the tooth. In some cases, a dental crown is placed after the procedure to support the tooth that is too weak.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
The main benefit of root canal therapy is stopping the infection and saving the decayed tooth that would be extracted otherwise. However, there are other benefits to the procedure that may not be immediately apparent:
- Root canal therapy eliminates the infection in the mouth, thus preventing it from spreading to the surrounding teeth and causing even more damage to dental health.
- If the infection in the deeper layers of the tooth is left untreated, it can penetrate the gum tissue, causing gum disease. Gum disease is dangerous because it jeopardizes the health and stability of the other teeth in your mouth. It is also associated with cardiovascular risks, lung problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and other health issues, including cancer. Thus, timely root canal treatment can prevent these issues by stopping the infection.
- Similarly, the infection can spread to the tissues of the jawbone and cause bone density loss. The jawbone supports the teeth, and loss of its density can lead to tooth mobility and tooth loss. Also, jaw bone density loss is associated with changes in the bite, problems speaking, and changes in the facial structure. Root canal treatment can save the jaw bone from deterioration.
- Root canal treatment improves general oral health by removing the infection. This can solve the issue of bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth.
- Any infection in the mouth can lead to various general health problems like gastrointestinal system issues, diabetes, fetus development issues, heart and lung disease, and even cognitive issues. Root canal treatment of a severely decayed tooth is essential to maintain good general health.
Signs You Might Need Root Canal Therapy
Only your dentist can give you an accurate diagnosis and decide on the appropriate treatment. However, some symptoms might help you indicate that a dental visit is in order. Here is a list of symptoms that you might need root canal therapy:
- Persistent toothache
- Tooth pain or sensitivity when touched
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or sensitivity to air
- Tooth discoloration or dark stains or spots on the tooth
- Swollen, sensitive, or painful gums around the tooth in question
- Pimples on the gums or pus that oozes from the gums surrounding the tooth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Tooth mobility
Studies suggest that the symptoms vary depending on the type of infection and other individual factors. However, if you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?
Tooth decay can cause you much more pain than the treatment. Root canal therapy is always performed using local anesthetic, so most patients do not feel any pain at all during the procedure. In some cases, patients report feeling slight discomfort or minimal pain. However, in most cases, the dose of the anesthetic can be regulated depending on your pain tolerance levels.
You might experience discomfort or tenderness for a couple of days after the treatment. But over-the-counter painkillers are usually enough to solve the issue. Patients report that the pre-procedure toothache level drops moderately right after the procedure and goes away completely within a week after the treatment.
Make an Appointment Today
If you have signs that you need root canal therapy or need a consultation, do not hesitate to make an appointment today with the highly trained and skilled clinicians at Absolute Family Dentistry. Remember that to save the tooth and prevent damage to the other teeth and tissue in your mouth, root canal treatment should be done in a timely manner. We look forward to welcoming you to our office.
