Root canal treatment enables dentists to save severely damaged, decayed, or infected teeth. The procedure is typically recommended when a tooth has a compromised pulp chamber. The pulp chamber is the innermost layer of a tooth, and it contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Tooth decay and damage can leave this part of a tooth exposed to bacteria and other irritants in the mouth, leading to excruciating toothaches and increasing the risk of infection.
Root canal treatment involves removing the soft tissues in the pulp chamber and resealing the area. The method has a high success rate, and it is not a painful treatment despite many people believing otherwise.
Let us take a close look at a few of the pros and cons of root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy can save severely damaged or infected teeth, enabling patients to keep their natural teeth. Saving a patient’s natural tooth helps prevent the bone tissue loss that often occurs when a tooth is lost. The tooth’s root gets to continue stimulating the patient’s jaw, keeping their jawbone healthy.
Teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy can end up weaker than they originally were. The technique involves drilling a hole into the tooth, which weakens its structure. Dentists often recommend putting crowns on teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy, to protect them from bite forces and restore their appearance and function.
A compromised pulp chamber typically leads to painful toothaches. The pain often does not respond to over-the-counter toothache products, and if it does fade, it does not stay away for long. The intensity of the pain can be so severe that it prevents people from focusing on tasks or getting any sleep at night.
These toothaches can be painful enough to even get people with dental phobias to see a dentist. Fortunately, the pain is typically gone by the time that the root canal procedure is over.
The root canal procedure can typically be performed during a single visit, but dentists sometimes choose to break it up into multiple treatments. It often comes down to how badly infected the tooth is. Dentists sometimes prefer to apply medication to the tooth twice before sealing it back up. Patients might also need multiple appointments if the dentist plans to cover the treated tooth with a crown.
People who choose to save their damaged teeth with root canals over extractions are less likely to develop alignment issues or gaps forming between their teeth. Extracting a tooth can lead to the remaining teeth moving out of their original positions as they try to close the gap.
Are you dealing with a severely damaged or infected tooth? Give us a call or visit our {{CIT}} location to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mycaredentals.com or call My Care Dental at (512) 590-6634 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Austin, TX.
Finding out what root canal therapy involves is something any dental patient who needs to undergo this commonly performed procedure needs to do. Asking a general dentist about root canals allows patients to get correct information, as well as ask any additional questions they have. One of the more common questions is how many dental…
The prospect of having a root canal probably will not get anyone excited. When you have severely decayed teeth or an infection in the roots or pulp, this procedure may be necessary. Though many people may have fears about this treatment, it can salvage teeth. Instead of having your dentist remove the affected tooth, you…
Using the right toothbrush is part of preventive dentistry. Your dental health is more secure if you have the right tool for cleaning your teeth and gums. An effective toothbrush can help you reach your dental health goals. If you want to know the basics of choosing the right toothbrush as part of preventive dentistry,…
Preventive dentistry focuses on the prevention and early detection of oral health concerns to help ensure they do not develop or progress to a more severe stage that is harder to treat. One of the primary goals of preventive dentistry is to help patients care for their teeth between check-up visits, which should include proper…
One of the procedures that can be used to effectively get your smile back to its best is a partial dentures. It can help restore the ability to chew and eat normally again with a much more aesthetically pleasing look.If you have ever had a tooth become damaged or severely decayed, then you probably know…
A dental implant is the gold standard in dental restorations. It can replace an entire tooth structure from the crown to the roots. This tooth replacement can enhance your oral function and health. Here are the details on how a dental implant can improve your quality of life.Research shows that oral structures work together to…